In his book The Road Ahead, Bill Gates wrote, “We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.” Of course, Gates was writing primarily about technological advancement, of which he has plenty of knowledge. But, he was also writing in a more general sense. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, Gates has also born witness, both good and bad, of the monumental change for either that can happen over a sustained … [Read more...]

Have you ever been that person who asks the question that everyone in the room wants to ask, and the whole group silences to hear the answer...but it is ignored and redirected? We’ve all been that guy or girl, and in fact, even the disciples were that guy! One of my favorite examples of this is in Acts 1:6-8, where Jesus gives them a new world view. "So when they had come together, they asked Him, 'Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?'" (v. 6). The Jewish people were preoccupied with the physical kingdom of … [Read more...]

I’ve read a couple of blog articles recently that highlighted things that are true of any college ministry that is effective in reaching students (you can read four of those here and four more here). Regardless of the ministry model, type of campus, or even the location, there are certainly some foundational items that all ministries must address and build into their DNA. As I think about conversations I’ve had with college and young adult ministry leaders, I think there’s also a common list of questions that anyone in young adult … [Read more...]

You’ve planned. You’ve prayed. You’ve promoted the event. You’ve recruited the help. You’ve invited your target group. You’ve set up the room to perfectly set the mood of the event. You’ve done everything you could have possibly done to make this a successful event that will honor the Lord. And nothing happens. Have you been there? Oh, I have. Many times. And, I feel like I am in that season more often than others. Quickly, let me define what I mean by nothing. There is a difference between gathering a crowd of people to … [Read more...]

Jacob knew all about God. He must have. He must have heard stories about this God and His covenant from his grandpa Abraham and his father Isaac. Maybe his daddy had told him about the day when grandpa took him up the mountain with a knife and wood but no sacrifice; how he strapped him down; how the tears filled his eyes and then how he heard the voice from on high. He knew about God. But, on the other hand, he was a classic avoider of conflict. He was much more prone to manipulation than he was to hashing things out. When the … [Read more...]

I’ve been mulling my way through the Book of Philippians since the start of the year. I know, I know… it’s only four chapters long, and here it is February. What’s taking so long? Well, I get to lingering in the words, and my heart halts my hand on passages that I just can’t leave alone—sometimes for days on end.  One such passage has been Philippians 2:19-30. No, it’s not the “Christ hymn” passage. No, it’s not the “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” passage. And, no, it is not the “lights in the world” passage. … [Read more...]

There’s an interesting point about the apostle Paul that I never really knew until a seminary professor pointed it out to me (and a classroom of others) many years ago. Many times, Paul encouraged others to look to himself as an example. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV).“I urge you, then, be imitators of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16).“Brothers, join in imitating me” (Philippians 3:17a). “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the … [Read more...]

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you hear a stat or a piece of information that you just can’t seem to get off your mind? I’m not talking about being able to get the latest Kanye or Lizzo tune out of your head, but wrestling with a piece of weighty information that both captures your thoughts and penetrates your heart. I ran across such a stat recently that has arrested my mind and kept me thinking ever since. A recent Lifeway study indicated that “four in 10 pastors said they were most concerned about how their … [Read more...]