Posts
This Is How We Get Low: The Eve Of A Breakthrough
I won’t make a habit of using this blog to promote ministry events, sermon series or individual speaking engagements. However, tonight, I felt I needed to tell you about something
The Church Of The Pretty People
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 I remember five
A Letter To Teenagers With Stupid Parents
Dear Teenager, You have stupid parents. I know, because I’ve heard you complaining at youth group and I’ve seen your Facebook posts and sat at your lunch table, and I’m
Dream Replacement: A Devotion For Parents
So there’s something nobody tells you before you have children… People give you all kinds of advice on sleeping schedules, feeding, education, safety and a million other very practical areas.
The Second Killing of Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin was killed twice. Once at the hands of one stranger with a gun, in a Florida street. Then, by the words of millions of strangers, in blogs and
To My Daughter's Future Youth Pastor
Good Morning Pastor, I know we’ve never met, but I’m writing to you about my daughter, Selah. (You know, Selah; she’s that silly 7th grader in your youth group; the
The Sky Is Not Falling: An Act Of Remembering
They tell me that the sky is falling. And frankly, it can be hard not to believe them; the choir of voices out there telling me it’s all going downhill
Teenagers and Tiaras
Sometimes I look around and ask questions as a Christian, sometimes as a father and sometimes as a pastor. (and some days, the three of us get together and agree on
6 Ways Christian Parents Can Fix Their Teenagers
As a 14-year youth worker, I’ve received countless calls, texts and visits over the years from loving, concerned Christian parents, with an often unstated, yet no-less clear assignment for me:
Diary Of A Wimpy God
As a faith tradition, Christianity is historically monotheistic, yet most Christians, if they’re honest, actually have two Gods. One, is the orthodox God of the Bible… We’ll call Him Sunday God. Sunday God is
God's Blessings: The Lie That We Pray
Sometimes I think we Christians lie when we pray. Well, maybe not overtly lie, but we certainly attempt to mislead. The question would be: Are we trying to mislead ourselves,
Dear Megachurch Pastor, Vol. 1: Get Small
Dear Megachurch Pastor, I’ve been meaning to write this for a while, but, well I’ve been busy. (Wait, who am I talking to, right?) Anyway, I’m worried about you. I’m
In Coach We Trust: The Church of Athletics
I’m a Youth Pastor. I really love being a Youth Pastor most of the time; almost all of the time, actually. But there are times, that I really wish I
Dear Church, Stop Singing.
Let me start by saying that music is one of my greatest passions in life. I lead worship at our church, write songs for our youth ministry, and generally, have a
Investing For Eternity: Having a 401K Faith
Sometimes, even the fiance world can inform our faith. Today I was having lunch with one of our incredible youth ministry volunteers. Amid discussing family, jobs and recent life news,
Mom and Dad: Get Your #%@ In Church!
Hi Moms and Dads. I’m John, and I’m a Youth Pastor. My job is to set the table for students to have a conversation with Jesus; to challenge and encourage them, and to
The Non-Apology of a Passionate Youth Pastor
Ministering to teenagers can be rough stuff. You are misunderstood, criticized, scrutinized and maligned by students, parents and church members… and then there are the bad days:) I kid, I
The Parable of The Big Metal Tube
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way
In Praise of "Invisible Pastors"
As a Pastor, I spent yesterday, as I do many Sundays, at church for 13 hours. I spend these days delivering messages, playing music and running big events or worship
An Open Apology To Teenagers From A Youth Pastor
I’m a Youth Pastor, and have been for the past 13 years or so… During that time, I’ve counseled, ate with, preached to, laughed with, cried with and shared life
Confessions of a Christian Hypocrite
I am a hypocrite. At least, that’s what they tell me. Everyday I hear this word from religious (or formerly religious) people, when talking about why they want nothing to
They Can't Make It Alone (Tough Love For Christian Parents)
Not long ago I was having a conversation that’s become all too familiar in my years as a Youth Pastor. I was listening to a parent justify why his or
Learning To Stay (Stopping Church-Hopping)
People leave the church every day. As a pastor, I am sadly witness to the myriad of reasons they give… “It’s too big.” “The music’s too loud.” “So-and-so offended me.” “It’s too
The Only Students I Love
Some people think Youth Pastors really only love certain teenagers they come across… That’s absolutely true. I love my students who love Jesus… and those who despise Him. I love my students who
This Is How We Get Low: The Eve Of A Breakthrough
I won’t make a habit of using this blog to promote ministry events, sermon series or individual speaking engagements. However, tonight, I felt I needed to tell you about something
The Church Of The Pretty People
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 I remember five
A Letter To Teenagers With Stupid Parents
Dear Teenager, You have stupid parents. I know, because I’ve heard you complaining at youth group and I’ve seen your Facebook posts and sat at your lunch table, and I’m
Dream Replacement: A Devotion For Parents
So there’s something nobody tells you before you have children… People give you all kinds of advice on sleeping schedules, feeding, education, safety and a million other very practical areas.
The Second Killing of Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin was killed twice. Once at the hands of one stranger with a gun, in a Florida street. Then, by the words of millions of strangers, in blogs and
To My Daughter's Future Youth Pastor
Good Morning Pastor, I know we’ve never met, but I’m writing to you about my daughter, Selah. (You know, Selah; she’s that silly 7th grader in your youth group; the
The Sky Is Not Falling: An Act Of Remembering
They tell me that the sky is falling. And frankly, it can be hard not to believe them; the choir of voices out there telling me it’s all going downhill
Teenagers and Tiaras
Sometimes I look around and ask questions as a Christian, sometimes as a father and sometimes as a pastor. (and some days, the three of us get together and agree on
6 Ways Christian Parents Can Fix Their Teenagers
As a 14-year youth worker, I’ve received countless calls, texts and visits over the years from loving, concerned Christian parents, with an often unstated, yet no-less clear assignment for me:
Diary Of A Wimpy God
As a faith tradition, Christianity is historically monotheistic, yet most Christians, if they’re honest, actually have two Gods. One, is the orthodox God of the Bible… We’ll call Him Sunday God. Sunday God is
God's Blessings: The Lie That We Pray
Sometimes I think we Christians lie when we pray. Well, maybe not overtly lie, but we certainly attempt to mislead. The question would be: Are we trying to mislead ourselves,
Dear Megachurch Pastor, Vol. 1: Get Small
Dear Megachurch Pastor, I’ve been meaning to write this for a while, but, well I’ve been busy. (Wait, who am I talking to, right?) Anyway, I’m worried about you. I’m
In Coach We Trust: The Church of Athletics
I’m a Youth Pastor. I really love being a Youth Pastor most of the time; almost all of the time, actually. But there are times, that I really wish I
Dear Church, Stop Singing.
Let me start by saying that music is one of my greatest passions in life. I lead worship at our church, write songs for our youth ministry, and generally, have a
Investing For Eternity: Having a 401K Faith
Sometimes, even the fiance world can inform our faith. Today I was having lunch with one of our incredible youth ministry volunteers. Amid discussing family, jobs and recent life news,
Mom and Dad: Get Your #%@ In Church!
Hi Moms and Dads. I’m John, and I’m a Youth Pastor. My job is to set the table for students to have a conversation with Jesus; to challenge and encourage them, and to
The Non-Apology of a Passionate Youth Pastor
Ministering to teenagers can be rough stuff. You are misunderstood, criticized, scrutinized and maligned by students, parents and church members… and then there are the bad days:) I kid, I
The Parable of The Big Metal Tube
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way
In Praise of "Invisible Pastors"
As a Pastor, I spent yesterday, as I do many Sundays, at church for 13 hours. I spend these days delivering messages, playing music and running big events or worship
An Open Apology To Teenagers From A Youth Pastor
I’m a Youth Pastor, and have been for the past 13 years or so… During that time, I’ve counseled, ate with, preached to, laughed with, cried with and shared life
Confessions of a Christian Hypocrite
I am a hypocrite. At least, that’s what they tell me. Everyday I hear this word from religious (or formerly religious) people, when talking about why they want nothing to
They Can't Make It Alone (Tough Love For Christian Parents)
Not long ago I was having a conversation that’s become all too familiar in my years as a Youth Pastor. I was listening to a parent justify why his or
Learning To Stay (Stopping Church-Hopping)
People leave the church every day. As a pastor, I am sadly witness to the myriad of reasons they give… “It’s too big.” “The music’s too loud.” “So-and-so offended me.” “It’s too
The Only Students I Love
Some people think Youth Pastors really only love certain teenagers they come across… That’s absolutely true. I love my students who love Jesus… and those who despise Him. I love my students who