This is the first post-pandemic Christmas Sunday we’ve had and the rules have changed – much has changed since 2016! This year we could meet together but our church leaders decided to go virtual for worship this Christmas. It was a unanimous decision among our leadership, but despite our familiarity (or maybe because of it) it has been met with some controversy. I get it! I like worshipping together as a congregation on Sundays, but I see six compelling reasons... Read more
In some denominations it was/is common practice for all clergy to be second career clergy. The thinking went something like this, “Make sure you want to go into ministry. Pursue other work of interest to see if it will satisfy your need for service and vocational fulfillment. If not, come back and we’ll talk ordination.” This attitude seems to be fading with so many churches and denominations scrambling to find clergy. Is it a Call or Crisis? Churches may no... Read more
Advent is not Christmas! If you grew up in more liturgical circles you know this. If however you grew up in a non-liturgical church like I did this might surprise you. Stores already have Christmas sales and churches are singing Christmas carols, but the season of Advent is not Christmas. It is a preparation for Christmas. The official “Christmas season” in the church begins on Christmas Eve and ends Epiphany Sunday which was traditionally on January 6th but is now... Read more
The fact that God’s divine plan will work, with or without us is not very popular today because many grew up hearing, “You can be anything – you can do anything!” We have a false belief we’ll all be superstars, rock stars, or star apostles like Paul. We won’t. I’ll never be an Olympic swimmer. I like swimming and would like to look as good as Michael Phelps in a skin tight swimsuit, but it’s not going to happen. I’m past... Read more
This year at BGCC we’ve dedicated around 20 babies and children. Our nursery is packed! I rejoice in the number of young couples and children our church counts as part of our family. I’m thrilled because our church is growing younger. Ten years ago this wasn’t the case. I remember walking past the nursery during service to pick up something needed for my sermon. Inside were two nursery attendants with no babies to watch. I stopped and said, “It’s a... Read more
Something happens when you get paid to do something you love. You still love it and want to do it, but now you have to do it. You can’t take a break or say, “This weekend we’ll run off for fun.” The spontaneity of choice is diminished. It starts to feels less like a gift and more like a…job. When things get tough, you can’t take a break. The work that used to be life-giving is now life-taking. Don’t get... Read more
There is a myth Christians believe about God’s will. They think God has a step-by-step plan for their life. Some are so committed to this that they won’t do anything until they have clarity. I appreciate the desire to be obedient, but think too many Christians are stuck. They are arrested by analysis paralysis scrutinizing every details of life looking for a sign from God. The Apostle Paul was a man who was constantly on the move for God. He... Read more
The number one recommendation people ask me for are marriage resources. It’s usually an awkward conversation. “Do you have something that can help our marriage?” is not an easy question to ask. Asking for help seems to get harder the more you need it. Below are my favorite resources for couples who are looking to get married, need a boost or checkup, and those who are in crisis. None of these is a substitute for good marriage counseling. Gottman Marriage Counselors... Read more
Ordination is the starting line for a career in ministry, but getting ordained has a fair amount of mystery surrounding it. Every denomination and church approaches this a little differently but they want to see essentially three things: 1) a sense of call, 2) adequate experience and fit, 3) solid education and beliefs, 4) personal well-being. Most seminaries help their students prepare for all of the above. They have mentors who help you hone your sense of call. They have... Read more
Paul thought he was doing God’s will, until Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. This divine encounter revealed to him that he had failed in a spectacular way. The book of Acts shares this encounter with us. It happens when Paul is still Saul. Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found... Read more
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