Opinion Column

OUR APRIL SURPRISE

Easter comes early at our neighborhood discount store. They’ve been at this Easter thing since February 15th. Since the day after Valentine’s, the Easter goods have dominated the center aisles of the store. And believe me, I know the timing. Like most guys, I’m usually there to pick out a couple of last-minute Valentine things.  As I rummage through the cards on the aisle that, by this point, looks as

Read More...
church, structure, construction, sky, building, security

KINGDOM INVESTMENTS

Churches exist at every point on the health spectrum, from imminent death to thriving growth. Many churches are dying because they haven’t done anything kingdom focused in years. Others are providing intentional discipleship but seem to want all the benefits to remain in house.  Still other churches are basking in the fruit of years of intentional discipleship and ministry, but recoil at the idea that God may desire to send

Read More...

PRAYING FOR EASTER WEEKEND: EIGHT WAYS TO PRAY NOW

I fear that many churches plan for weeks (or months) for Easter weekend, but then pray for only minutes over the weekend’s events. To counter this tendency, I encourage you to use this list to pray individually and corporately with intentionality throughout this week.

Read More...

TRAGEDY REMINDS US ‘GOD IS THE RULER, YET’

The dark and evil act which took place at Covenant School in Nashville on March 27 has weighed on many of us with especially deep and heavy incalculable grief.  Maybe it looms larger because it’s just down the road.  Maybe it’s because many of us personally know some who are  affected.  Maybe the evil of it was compounded in our minds because it involved the deaths of three children and

Read More...

ARE WE PROVIDING GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE?

Customer service is a matter of perspective. What one person may deem acceptable may not be to another person.  I think it is easier for folks to agree on what is bad customer service.  I went into a popular fast food restaurant recently to buy some ice cream (for my granddaughter, not for me). I was the only person standing at the cash register. I waited and waited and waited

Read More...

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS — ON JESUS

As a pastor, there were simply days that were more discouraging than others; days I was blinded to God’s goodness around me as I focused on the occasional wave of problems, carnal people and difficult situations.  God gave me this fix. When I was having one of those kinds of days, I took only a notebook and a pen and found a secluded room somewhere on our church campus. I

Read More...

WILL YOU BE A JEREMIAH LANPHIER?

No great thing ever happened in the history of Christendom that wasn’t preceded by humble submission to God through prayer.   Consider the Businessmen’s Revival during 1857 and 1858. Jeremiah Lanphier, a layman, was hired by the North Dutch Church in New York City and tasked with reaching people in the marketplace. Lanphier began before the Lord in humility and prayer. “Lord, what would you have me do?”  From a

Read More...

DISCIPLE NOW MAKES A DIFFERENCE

During the past few months, I have become involved with the youth group at our church, serving as the drummer for the Wednesday night worship gatherings and as a de facto chaperone at youth events. These roles have been a blessing for me, especially since my oldest son, Jonah, is in sixth grade and is now officially a member of youth group. (It doesn’t seem possible to me that he

Read More...

PART II: SHOULD WE SING THOSE SONGS?!

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following column is Part II of a three-part series. The other two parts are available online: Part I and Part III.  Should We Sing Those Songs?! NOTE FROM THE WRITER: In Part I, we were introduced to the new “worship war,” a debate about the suitability of worship music based on a song’s origins. We explored the issue’s importance, highlighted some theological concerns, and assessed the root

Read More...

MAYBE IT IS TIME TO GET EXCITED, TENNESSEE!

Have you ever noticed people at a college football game? When their team runs on the field they cheer. When their band plays, they clap and sing along. When their team scores a touchdown and wins the game, then all bets are off as to how excited the fans will be.  In fact, some people get so excited over their team that they can barely contain themselves on Saturdays while

Read More...

OUR APRIL SURPRISE

Easter comes early at our neighborhood discount store. They’ve been at this Easter thing since February 15th. Since the day after Valentine’s, the Easter goods

Read More »
church, structure, construction, sky, building, security

KINGDOM INVESTMENTS

Churches exist at every point on the health spectrum, from imminent death to thriving growth. Many churches are dying because they haven’t done anything kingdom

Read More »