A Role Play with Dallas Willard We asked Dallas to role-play an evangelistic conversation with a 20 year old girl who grew up in a Christian home, but finds her worldview challenged when she goes to college. She decides to see her pastor and says, “I used to believe strongly in the Christian faith, but […]

So I’m watching the U2 at Slane Castle DVD last night with my two boys and we’re jumping around the room having a good time. Then Caleb, my two-year-old, starts singing “Sunday Bwuddy Sunday.” His education in the finer (and more important) things in life has begun. I’m thinking about getting him some wrap-around sunglasses […]

This Sunday Im beginning a series of teachings from the book of Proverbs. Ive never preached from Proverbs before and as Ive been studying Ive been asking myself, How in the world am I going to pull this off? So many stand alone verses. So many opportunities to proof-text. So many possible message topics. Well, […]

Is Preaching Out of Touch? Everything else about worship is being revised. Is it time to rethink the sermon? Clad in faded jeans, paisley shirt, and sandals, Doug Pagitt doesnt look much like a preacher. At least, not the ones I grew up with in rural Georgia. But Pagitt, thirty-something pastor of Solomons Porch in […]

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, the privilege is ours to share in theloving, healing, reconciling mission of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, inthe age and wherever we are. Since without you we can do no good thing,May your Spirit make us wise;May your Spirit guide us;May your Spirit renew us;May your Spirit strengthen us; […]

I’m working on a list of things that young ministers/pastors can do to alienate the congregations that give them a shot to grow as leaders. Some of these could be funny, but some are deadly serious. Here are my first few thoughts: 1. Lament the fact that they just don’t “get it” while making little […]

This is why I like Brian McLaren so much. I’m a seminary student. Your books have really helped me. How will I talk about the issues of postmodernity with “normal” folks – once I’m outside of seminary? How do you do this? A short answer – it depends.1. With unchurched people in my area – […]

From Pete Ward’s Liquid Church: Liquid church will abandon congegational structures in favor of a varied and changing diet of worship, prayer, study, and activity. It will challenge the assumption that what is offered in the morning service is good for you, even though it may be boring or unpalatable. It will present a responsive, […]

I watched Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedian over the holidays. It gives great insights into the life of a stand-up comedian. Seinfeld has always come off looking so composed and with it on stage, but this documentary shows us a different side. He’s nervous, forgetful, and has trouble finding a comfort zone on stage. I really didn’t […]

A friend of mine recently read 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (Like Me). He emailed me the chapter titles. Thanks Jim. 1. We admit that our single most unmitigated pleasure is to judge other people.2. Have come to believe that our means of obtaining greatness is to make everyone lower than ourselves in our […]