2014
This year has been the best of times and the worst of times. Yet through it all, God has been faithful to his promise––to continue to conform me into the image of Jesus. Over the holidays, I’ve spent time reflecting, and I want to share 14 insights I had ...
As we approach a new year, it is a great time for reflecting on what God has done, is doing, and wants to do in and through us. Over the past few years, I have used a life vision statement as a tool to help me think through what I believe God is asking me to do in my life. ...
Jesus assumed our rejection so it will not continue to harm us because hurt people hurt people. If you want to know if someone is mature, do not look at how many Bible verses they know but watch how they act when someone hurts them. Jesus became our rejection and our sorrow ...
The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is a familiar one to many Christians. There is much to learn about grace from the story of the son who rebels and returns. But, there is also a lot to learn from the one who stays behind.
Sadly, the older brother is just as far from ...
A few weeks ago, I shared three characteristics of high-definition evangelism. Today, I want to continue that conversation with three more ideas to help you be intentional in reaching out to a multiethnic world.
In the earlier article, I shared how gospel-centered vision, ...
We believe our teenagers are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today. God has used teens throughout his redemptive history. He used David, Mary, and most of Jesus’ disciples at young ages. Teens, we believe God can use you today to change the world.
Watch ...
Every day it feels like I learn something new. When I was younger, I thought I knew everything, but the older I get the more I realize how much I really don’t know. Here are three pastoral leadership insights I’m learning. I hope they encourage you.
Don’t ...
On August 2, 1997, during training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, God the Holy Spirit awakened my heart to see my need for Jesus. A former teammate named Steve Grant had shared the Good News with me for five years. Steve was passionate about reaching people with the gospel ...
How can enemies now be friends?
When the people of first-century Ephesus looked at its multiethnic congregations of Jews and Gentiles, this question must have been on their minds. The apostle Paul wrote his letter to encourage these ethnically diverse congregations of former ...
I love the Exodus story. It has mystery, adventure, heroism, defiance, miracles, and the struggle of real people in a world swirling with volatility and danger. So often, I, and perhaps you, read the Bible like it’s a sterile textbook, instead of as God’s redemptive ...
What does the word “incarnation” mean and how can it impact your life today? I share about this gospel truth in this short clip from a recent sermon. When Jesus puts on flesh, he becomes our representative to God the Father, like a team captain on the football field. ...
A little while back, I was in a conversation with a gentleman at our monthly newcomer’s gathering. He was a Christ-follower who had walked with Jesus for many years. He asked the typical questions that someone would ask concerning the new local church he was considering ...
In August, Michael Brown, an unarmed, black 18-year-old, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white policeman, in Ferguson, Missouri. Tonight, we learned that the grand jury decided not to indict Wilson on any charges related to the event.
In the months since the shooting, ...
Hi friends, I just finished the first draft of my forthcoming book, The High-Definition Leader: Building Multiethnic Churches in a Multiethnic World. Here is a sneak peek. I sure hope it encourages you.
Ninety-four percent of local churches in America are not growing.
This ...
God is not Santa Claus.
But we seem to forget that sometimes because we have embraced a worldview called consumerism. In this way of seeing the world, the consumer is at the center, and his or her goal is to find pleasure and avoid pain by consuming things, experiences, ...
Videos
We all need inspiration and transformation. The Creative Arts Team at Transformation Church takes a short snippet from my sermon each week to provide inspiration that leads to transformation. If these weekly videos inspire you, share them!
More: Inspiration And Transformation