Happy Friday! Here are five good articles to keep you growing through the weekend! Why Muslims are Becoming the Best Evangelists – Solid perspective on what God is doing in the Muslim world today. My Kid is Not My Calling – A great reminder to all parents out there! Evangelical Internet Accountability – Incredible USA Today article on Covenant Eyes. If you don’t use internet accountability software, start today! 5 Ways to Pray Intentionally for Your Spouse – A must... Read more
I know I’ve said this before, but pastors like me make church growth too complicated sometimes. “It’s about the right programs! It’s about the right music! It’s about solid biblical preaching!” All of those things are well and good, but here’s what I’ve experienced: seeing your church grow can sometimes be as simple as knowing a name. When guests come to your church (and they do every week), they’re searching. They’re searching for a home. They’re searching for a place to... Read more
Sometimes we forget. Sometimes we get caught up in the urgent and forget the most important. Here’s a little reminder: the church doesn’t exist fill a community social calendar. The church doesn’t exist to pander to the preferences of who’s dropping the most cash in the offering plate. The church doesn’t exist as a museum to preserve a cultural ideal of days gone by. The church doesn’t even exist merely to platform solid biblical teaching. The church exists to reach... Read more
Last night several tornadoes touched down in our county and corner of the state. This morning we’re beginning to pick up the pieces (another round of tornadoes is possible this evening as well). For our church, this is a chance for us to live out what we’ve been preaching for the past month with Project Hope. We’re organizing cleanup crews to go our and serve the most vulnerable in our communities. My work today will be with a chainsaw and... Read more
If you follow sports at all, then you’ve probably heard the explosive comments caught on tape of NBA owner Donald Sterling. He’s owned the Los Angeles Clippers since 1981 and has had a long and checkered history of embarrassing incidents. The latest is an audio recording of him making racist comments to his girlfriend. According to this alleged phone conversation, Donald Sterling doesn’t like blacks. This wouldn’t be the height of irony if he didn’t own an NBA team in... Read more
You’re not reading the title wrong. She really does want to bulldoze Mt Vernon. But it’s for a good reason. Watch this incredible life change video and celebrate what God has done in Hollye’s life! [wpvideo uw4LDw8J] Read more
Impressing young parents in your church begins and ends with the nursery. It always has, it always will. If your nursery area is clean, secure and professional, then you’ve just won huge points with the safety conscious parents coming into your church. At Mt Vernon, that means we put a ton of effort into making sure we have a first class DiscoveryZone (nursery). We have a check-in desk where every parent checks in their child and gets a printed ‘receipt.’... Read more
In John 3, Jesus gives us one of the most commonly used terms to describe a Christ follower: “born again.” But what does it really mean to be ‘born again?’ Watch this short video as my daughter helps me explain. [wpvideo 58X0soEO] Read more
originally posted on April 1, 2013 It happens every year to pastors: the Easter Hangover. It’s the fog and haze of leaving it all out on the field Easter Sunday and then still having to go back to work the next day. Pastors work hard for Easter. It’s their ‘Superbowl.’ When all is said and done, they’re wiped out. Here’s how their next day typically goes: 8:00 am – Extra big pot of coffee. The pastor walks around an... Read more
Happy Easter! Here are five links to keep you thinking throughout the weekend. The “15 Second Kiss” Experiment – Married with kids? This article is for you!!!! Do We Really Need More Churches in America? – Great perspective! 3 Big Questions Kids Ask on Good Friday – great perspective for those with curious kids. Heaven is For Real – Good review if you’re considering watching the movie. Saved From Hate – An interview with the son of deceased pastor of... Read more
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