I don’t love being stretched beyond where I’m comfortable. It’s painful and often hard, but also can be incredibly rewarding. As I was getting ready to teach at a conference last week, I ran across the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch out of Acts 8. It’s a powerful story of obedience. Philip was obedient to follow the instruction of the angel of the Lord to go to the desert, not knowing why he was being sent. The Ethiopian man in this story was of a high class and served in the court of the Queen. He was riding in his … [Read more...]
Try the 21-Day Experiment
Disciples of Jesus know they’re commanded to share their faith. Countless resources exist for evangelism—including tracts of all shapes and sizes. I like some of them and find them to be beneficial in certain circumstances; but they’re not my favorite way to share the gospel. Here are just a couple of reasons why: One, it is difficult to summarize the cost of following Jesus and what responding to the gospel entails in a small booklet. Two, we live in a culture that increasingly does not possess a biblical worldview. Therefore, … [Read more...]
Prayer is to Preaching as Preparing the Soil is to Planting the Seed
My wife and I recently just moved from the great nation of Texas all the way to Ankeny, Iowa to join a church planting network whose aim is to plant next generation churches on every major college campus in the Midwest. Everyday at 10:02 a.m. across the whole network, we stop and pray for God to send out laborers into the harvest. In Luke 10:2 (hence the reason we pray at 10:02), Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his … [Read more...]
Embrace the Urgency
There are some things that call for an urgent response. When the water pipe bursts in your kitchen and water is spewing all over the place, the best response is an urgent dash to shut the water off. If you happen upon a vehicle accident with injuries, the best response is an urgent phone call to 911. When I read the book of Acts and observe the early church’s response to Jesus’ promise that He is coming back, there's an urgency among the followers of Christ. They're intent on making sure others know the message and hope of the … [Read more...]
Friday Links
Here are some articles/blogs from this past week that you'll find helpful as you work with young adults in your church and community. “59 Percent of Millennials Raised in a Church Have Dropped Out – And They’re Trying to Tell Us Why” by Sam Eaton This is one of the most honest articles I’ve read in a while concerning young adults and the church. Eaton is a millennial that loves Jesus and the church. He gives an honest view of why young adults simply aren’t connecting to the church. “Shelters for Trafficking Victims Aid … [Read more...]
It’s official. Spring Break is here!
It's March. For our Threads team, that means one thing—Beach Reach is in full swing! Beach Reach is a collegiate mission trip experience from March 7-20 where servant evangelism takes the form of free van rides and pancakes. Thousands visit Panama City during spring break and many are hurting and searching for meaning. College students provide simple acts of service that open the door to life-changing conversations about the hope and love of Jesus Christ. So, how can you be a part? We're glad you asked. 1. Pray. Thousands of … [Read more...]
Is Jesus Really All You Need?
“All you need is Jesus.” Ever heard that phrase? In the evangelical world that I consider myself a part of, this phrase is constantly proclaimed as the very essence of the Christian faith. All I need is my personal relationship with Jesus. Everything else may be helpful, but not necessary to live out my Christian faith. I know I have preached the same message. I've offered that message as counsel. I've even lived this message in my Christian faith. But is that all that there is to it? I don’t think so. Radical … [Read more...]