Posts
The De-Elevation Of The Celebrity Pastor
Power ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. In the Bible (specifically in the Book of Acts) we see the early Christian movement in its infancy; the spectacularly un-spectacular beginnings of
In Appreciation Of The Haters
“Haters gonna hate.” It’s a refrain that you hear everywhere; from teenagers, star athletes, famous actresses, corporate executives, and yes, even from pastors. The H-word has now become the default
Grief Valley Lessons: When “A Better Place” Isn’t Better
Words are wild, unpredictable things. Often, ones delivered in love and designed to heal can wound terribly, especially when attempting to help someone dealing with death. In trying to help
Giving Ammo To Atheists: How The Church Is Wasting Daylight
OK, I know what we’re supposed to be doing here. As a pastor, I know that the intention of “The Church”, (the community of Christ-followers through the world), its purpose
Tell-Evangelism: The Gospel According To Me
So the disciples set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 Christian friend, when I say the word Evangelist, what comes to your
Finding My Kryptonite: Tales Of A Former Superhero
These are weird days in Metropolis. Ever since my father passed away suddenly three weeks ago, there isn’t much about life that isn’t profoundly different; from the way the nighttime
Skydiving, Spiritual Amnesia, Universal Healthcare, And Becoming A "Least-Lover".
Every once is a while, I get the grand idea that I’d like to go skydiving. I’ll be watching T.V. or sitting with a bunch of friends or checking out
Fragile People: Handle With Care (My First Week as a Grief Zombie)
My dad died very suddenly three days ago. The first few seconds of that morning phone call will be burned into my memory for the rest of my life; the
Sunday Services, Small Groups, And Other Christian Diversions
Sometimes really good stuff can have some really dangerous consequences. As a pastor, one of the things I’ve always tried to do, is get people more fully engaged with the ministries
Things Worth ‘Never Forgetting’ On 9/11
Never Forget. All day long you’ll see those two words filling-up your news feed, lining your road sides, and adorning lapel pins and bumper stickers. They will be on
Get Your Mind Into The Gutter: A Challenge To Suburban Megachurchgoers
This weekend, millions of people will fill the megachurches of America. They will wake-up, get into their cars, and they will drive; past hurting people and failing businesses, through bad
Christian: Stop Jesufying Your Life, (And Listen To Some 'Devil Music').
We Christians can be funny; but all too often, quite unintentionally. Case in point: Consider the phenomenon of Jesufying. For those unfamiliar to church circles, where it proliferates, the process of
The Blurred Lines Of Real Manhood (Robin Thicke, I'm Looking In Your Direction)
Ever since the VMA debacle a few days ago, there’s been one filthy word that’s been on everyone’s lips, blog posts, and cubicle commentary: Miley. The social media universe has
Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Dreams (A Letter To American Christian Teenagers)
Dear American Christian Teenager, Are you sitting down? Because I have some big news for you, that you may be really surprised to hear. (Seriously, sit down, because this might
Why I Don’t Need Great Children
From time to time I drive by a car with a bumper sticker that reads: Proud Parent of a _______________ School Honor Student. And to be honest, it always worries me a
Killing The Dead: A Youth Pastor Grieves For All 'Thugs'
People just keep on killing Travon Martin. Though not his body, mind you. Too many now, 17 months later, are simply content to destroy the sum total of his young life.
The Atheist Artist: Finding Religion In The Songs of The Faithless
The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person. – Abraham Lincoln In college, I attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
When Your Pastor Is Bigger Than Jesus
“We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first — rock and roll or Christianity.” These words were spoken in 1966, by Beatles member John Lennon.
The Virtue Of Standing Down: Rocks, Hammers, Cars, Guns, And The Death Of Travon Martin
Guns don’t kill people; people kill people. Invariably, whenever I state my personal objections to guns, and the reasons why my individual understanding of my faith won’t allow me to
Becoming The Church Of The Jesus Upgrade
This just in, dear readers: Flying First Class is no joke. This may not come as news to you, but now in my 44th year, I’ve always been relegated to
The Dangerous Lie Of Kumbaya Christianity
Can’t we all just get along? That’s a question you see popping-up quite a lot in the Church these days, especially online. There’s a groundswell of support among lots of
I Have Absolutely Nothing To Say… So Here's A Blog Post.
Not long ago, I had a couple of blog posts that, as the kids say, “went viral”. It was pretty exciting I’ll admit; seeing some thoughts I had typed from
The Invisible People: When Christians Go Blind
There are some words you hear or read, that you just never forget. Eight years ago, I was sitting at my computer, just a day or two after the first youth
In Defense of Offensive Pastors
So here’s a question for you: What’s a pastor’s job? Oh, sure, I bet your knee-jerk response, is that the answer’s easy. But really think about it for a second;
The De-Elevation Of The Celebrity Pastor
Power ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. In the Bible (specifically in the Book of Acts) we see the early Christian movement in its infancy; the spectacularly un-spectacular beginnings of
In Appreciation Of The Haters
“Haters gonna hate.” It’s a refrain that you hear everywhere; from teenagers, star athletes, famous actresses, corporate executives, and yes, even from pastors. The H-word has now become the default
Grief Valley Lessons: When “A Better Place” Isn’t Better
Words are wild, unpredictable things. Often, ones delivered in love and designed to heal can wound terribly, especially when attempting to help someone dealing with death. In trying to help
Giving Ammo To Atheists: How The Church Is Wasting Daylight
OK, I know what we’re supposed to be doing here. As a pastor, I know that the intention of “The Church”, (the community of Christ-followers through the world), its purpose
Tell-Evangelism: The Gospel According To Me
So the disciples set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6 Christian friend, when I say the word Evangelist, what comes to your
Finding My Kryptonite: Tales Of A Former Superhero
These are weird days in Metropolis. Ever since my father passed away suddenly three weeks ago, there isn’t much about life that isn’t profoundly different; from the way the nighttime
Skydiving, Spiritual Amnesia, Universal Healthcare, And Becoming A "Least-Lover".
Every once is a while, I get the grand idea that I’d like to go skydiving. I’ll be watching T.V. or sitting with a bunch of friends or checking out
Fragile People: Handle With Care (My First Week as a Grief Zombie)
My dad died very suddenly three days ago. The first few seconds of that morning phone call will be burned into my memory for the rest of my life; the
Sunday Services, Small Groups, And Other Christian Diversions
Sometimes really good stuff can have some really dangerous consequences. As a pastor, one of the things I’ve always tried to do, is get people more fully engaged with the ministries
Things Worth ‘Never Forgetting’ On 9/11
Never Forget. All day long you’ll see those two words filling-up your news feed, lining your road sides, and adorning lapel pins and bumper stickers. They will be on
Get Your Mind Into The Gutter: A Challenge To Suburban Megachurchgoers
This weekend, millions of people will fill the megachurches of America. They will wake-up, get into their cars, and they will drive; past hurting people and failing businesses, through bad
Christian: Stop Jesufying Your Life, (And Listen To Some 'Devil Music').
We Christians can be funny; but all too often, quite unintentionally. Case in point: Consider the phenomenon of Jesufying. For those unfamiliar to church circles, where it proliferates, the process of
The Blurred Lines Of Real Manhood (Robin Thicke, I'm Looking In Your Direction)
Ever since the VMA debacle a few days ago, there’s been one filthy word that’s been on everyone’s lips, blog posts, and cubicle commentary: Miley. The social media universe has
Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Dreams (A Letter To American Christian Teenagers)
Dear American Christian Teenager, Are you sitting down? Because I have some big news for you, that you may be really surprised to hear. (Seriously, sit down, because this might
Why I Don’t Need Great Children
From time to time I drive by a car with a bumper sticker that reads: Proud Parent of a _______________ School Honor Student. And to be honest, it always worries me a
Killing The Dead: A Youth Pastor Grieves For All 'Thugs'
People just keep on killing Travon Martin. Though not his body, mind you. Too many now, 17 months later, are simply content to destroy the sum total of his young life.
The Atheist Artist: Finding Religion In The Songs of The Faithless
The highest art is always the most religious, and the greatest artist is always a devout person. – Abraham Lincoln In college, I attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
When Your Pastor Is Bigger Than Jesus
“We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first — rock and roll or Christianity.” These words were spoken in 1966, by Beatles member John Lennon.
The Virtue Of Standing Down: Rocks, Hammers, Cars, Guns, And The Death Of Travon Martin
Guns don’t kill people; people kill people. Invariably, whenever I state my personal objections to guns, and the reasons why my individual understanding of my faith won’t allow me to
Becoming The Church Of The Jesus Upgrade
This just in, dear readers: Flying First Class is no joke. This may not come as news to you, but now in my 44th year, I’ve always been relegated to
The Dangerous Lie Of Kumbaya Christianity
Can’t we all just get along? That’s a question you see popping-up quite a lot in the Church these days, especially online. There’s a groundswell of support among lots of
I Have Absolutely Nothing To Say… So Here's A Blog Post.
Not long ago, I had a couple of blog posts that, as the kids say, “went viral”. It was pretty exciting I’ll admit; seeing some thoughts I had typed from
The Invisible People: When Christians Go Blind
There are some words you hear or read, that you just never forget. Eight years ago, I was sitting at my computer, just a day or two after the first youth
In Defense of Offensive Pastors
So here’s a question for you: What’s a pastor’s job? Oh, sure, I bet your knee-jerk response, is that the answer’s easy. But really think about it for a second;