It’s been a little over two months since we lost a giant of the faith. Mark continues to cast a long (and glorious) shadow over the church he helped lead. Yesterday I had the heart-breaking privilege at preaching Mark Junkin’s funeral. He was an incredible man who left a lasting legacy with his family, his church, and throughout the world. You can watch the archived funeral service at www.mtvchurch.tv. Here is the text of the message I shared: Mark Junkins... Read more
As we finish up 2013, I’m reposting the top 10 posts of 2013. Enjoy! Here’s something I hear all the time: “My kids are the most important thing in my life.” I hear people say it. I read it online. People write that statement when they’re answering 8 random things about themselves on Facebook (or whatever that is). On the surface, it seems like the right thing to say, “My kids are the most important thing in my life.” I mean, it’s a lot... Read more
If you ever needed an illustration of what it means to literally be the hands and feet of Jesus, read Preemptive Love by Jeremy Courtney. It’s too easy for preachers like me to simply preach about love, cocooned safely away in our air conditioned sanctuaries, knowing we’ll draw a comfortable paycheck twice a month. The idea behind Preemptive Love is literally loving first, before the other party has the opportunity to earn trust, to earn the love we offer. Courtney... Read more
USA Today recently reported (original article here) that Americans don’t trust each other anymore. In fact, it’s at an all-time low, since trust began to be measured in 1972. While we might associate this distrust with scandals in government, churches, or Wall Street, this survey asks whether we trust one another at the most basic level. Only 33% of Americans say that they do. Described as the breakdown of social trust, author and researcher Robert Putnam notes that Americans have abandoned... Read more
In 2006, five pastors got together to conspire to celebrate Christmas differently. Why? Because Americans spend $450 billion dollars a year on Christmas, much of it going on credit cards to purchase gifts that we can’t afford for people who don’t really need them. We’ve turned the celebration of Christ’s birth into a gluttonous extravaganza of materialism that shines a spotlight on our wealth while doing nothing for those less fortunate. What is the Advent Conspiracy all about? It’s about... Read more
I started off with good intentions. I bet you did too. Last week at Thanksgiving, how many of you started off with good intentions to behave yourself and not overindulge. But by the end of the day, you felt like Fatty McButterpants. There’s nothing wrong with yummy food. You want to eat yummy food. You tell yourself, “It’s the holidays, I’ll take a piece of pie.” A half piece actually. Well technically, it was two half pieces from two different... Read more
Two years ago (back on Nov. 11 to be exact) I officially sold out and became a ‘suit.’ Leaving the world of youth ministry behind, I became a lead pastor. It’s been an incredible journey so far. To celebrate two years as a pastor, here are twenty things I’ve learned in two years: 1. Little things make a big difference. One of our greatest successes is our Host Team, folks who make a welcoming environment that starts in the parking... Read more
On September 17, 2011, protesters descended on Zuccotti Park in Manhattan and began what we now know as the Occupy Wall Street movement. Their aim was to shine a spotlight on what they saw to be blatant greed and opulence by the richest 1% of Americans. This was during the time of corporate bailouts, ‘too big to fail’, and golden parachutes for executives that left the rest of America simmering. The Occupy Wall Street movement gave voice to the 99%,... Read more
I’m out this week for Thanksgiving. Have a great week and I’ll see you in December! Read more
Here’s something I hear all the time: “My kids are the most important thing in my life.” I hear people say it. I read it online. People write that statement when they’re answering 8 random things about themselves on Facebook (or whatever that is). On the surface, it seems like the right thing to say, “My kids are the most important thing in my life.” I mean, it’s a lot better than saying “Money is the most important thing” or... Read more
New Wineskins
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