I don’t know how it happened, but I suddenly realized that I was spending much of my ministry trying to protect myself from other people. Maybe it was those late-night phone calls from dysfunctional people, accusations from critics, and hurtful relationships that started it. But I was starting to view ministry as a distraction to my otherwise peaceful life. So I put up gatekeepers that would protect my “pastoral schedule.” I guarded my privacy in the name of “good leadership.” And I established strict … [Read more...]
Wisdom from The Office
The question came to Michael Scott, district manager of Dunder Mifflin Scranton and sage of The Office: “Would you rather be feared or loved?” After reflection, Michael answered: “Both. I want you to be afraid of how much you love me.” So true, Michael. But that launches me into a reflection of the same question to God—Do You want to be feared or loved? Not that God would have the same response as Steve Carrell, but you can’t escape from Scripture that His answer would be both as well, though with … [Read more...]
Hear the Wisdom of Those Before Us
I didn't grow up in a Christian home, and my church background has largely been focused on grassroots church plants ministering to college students and young adults. As a result, I haven't had much exposure to some of the giants of Christianity who have mentored many of today's influential church leaders. This changed, however, when I attended this year's Rethink Conference (rethink.com), where I had the privilege of listening to several men and women of faith whose journeys have spanned 30, 40, 50+ years. These are individuals who … [Read more...]
Who are you working for?
If you are on the Threads Web site looking for leader-oriented help, I’m going to take a crack at defining just who I think you are. You’re passionate about reaching this emerging generation. You’re probably in the midst of starting something new. You’re driven. You have an entrepreneurial mindset toward church. You might even be planting a church. With all of this in mind, I would like to ask you an important question: Who are you working for? Last week I had a great conversation with Mike Harder over … [Read more...]
The Tough Sayings of Jesus: A Video Conversation
Michael Kelley is an editor for the Threads team’s (undated) Bible study products. Before he began to work for Lifeway full-time, he wrote a study for us called “Tough Sayings of Jesus,” which spotlighted four times in the Bible where Jesus doesn’t seem to be quite as nice as we might normally think (from the Tough Sayings webpage: the rich young ruler in Mark 10, the Canaanite woman in Matt. 15, the unforgivable sin in Matt. 12, and a contradiction about who Jesus is in Matt. 10 and Luke 12).Threads is … [Read more...]
Change Your Life, Your Mind in Homeless Ministry
If you ask a church leader or member about the most important ministry of their church, you will get a variety of answers, everything from small groups, to discipleship to music, to prayer ministry. All of those are great answers, but let me give you a different response as we have just finished celebrating the birth of a baby to a family with no shelter and nowhere to go. Ministry to the homeless. Over the past 10 years, I have seen more life-change, more amazing miracles from God and more growth in followers of Christ in this … [Read more...]
Jaded: the Beginning of Healing
Many people set out to write Bible studies with a specific purpose in mind. They have a life lesson that they spend a lot of time studying through and want to share it with others. Others think they have some new knowledge that they are about to share with the world - many trying to convince others to see the world as they see it. I apparently am not as bright or as opinionated as some. When I wrote Jaded it really was not a result of any premeditated purpose of trying to convince people that I was right, or that I had the answers, … [Read more...]
From Jail to Africa
I sat sandwiched between Zana and Julie for the second leg of a three-leg-flight to Cape Town. I didn't know a whole lot about Zana - sure we spent the months prior planning a mission trip and watching documentaries about HIV, but I only knew her in that context. The basics: she worked as an event coordinator at the Grand Ole Opry and this was her first mission trip-that's what I knew. "I think God wants me to share my story while we're in Africa." Those are the first words she uttered as our plane left the Chicago runway. As we flew … [Read more...]
The Simple Act of Accountability
I spent the evening the other night with an old friend of mine. He & I used to meet each week, early in the morning, for prayer & accountability. It was one of those friendships that you really want to have with others, but most of the time fall far short of actually seeing happen. Through that mutual respect, encouragement & ‘spurring' I can absolutely say that it had a deep impact on my life, my ministry, my marriage & family life, & my spiritual journey. There really is no secret formula involved. I know I used to think so, … [Read more...]
InTransit Commentary--Week 2
So we are all waiting for something. I don’t know what your wait is about but I know that it is probably significant. It may be the next stage of life that you really can’t wait to get here. It may be finding that right person or job. It may be restoring a relationship or friendship. It may be a promise that God gave you and you don’t know how it is going to happen. I want to talk about that for a bit. I realize that the feeling of waiting is a terrible one. I usually feel really helpless. Waiting on time to go by … [Read more...]