This past Sunday, my message offered a "grand sweep" of the bible's story.Informed by some of Andy Stanley's work, it was more of a lecture than a sermon. I hope and believe it helped bible novices and bible experts alike have some "a-ha" moments regarding the...
I am a Christian first of all.But within that larger confession of faith, I have identified with the particular expression known as Methodism for the last 28 years.And since I spent a couple of days last week at a uniquely Methodist gathering -- the Western North...
I like the rhythm we have going the last couple of weeks.Text in the morning. ConTXT at night.Last night, we moved the ConTXT event into the Worship Center.The event itself featured a panel discussion moderated by Chris Thayer our Discipleship Intern.Rich Tuttle, our...
I can't wait for Sunday.I feel that most weeks, but especially this Sunday, June 13.I'll be attempting something I've never quite tried before. To borrow a cliche, it's "outside of my comfort zone."But I believe it has the potential to be extremely helpful in the...
I'm leaning left these days.Politics? On occasion, but not as a matter of course.Theology and doctrine? Extremely rare.Behind the steering wheel? No, my car is in excellent alignment.Instead, I'm leaning left because I've got a nasty case of bicep tendonitis in my...
Today, Julie and I celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary.I posted my reflections on our 25th here. Twenty-six obviously doesn't have the same ring of nostalgia and accomplishment behind it as does twenty-five. It's not named after a precious gem and we won't be...
We had our monthly healing service on Monday night, and I continue to marvel at the delicate balance between prayer and touch.The bible contains many references to the "laying on of hands" -- and the practice is typically associated with ordination to ministry,...
This is how I like church to go. In the morning, we launched Text Message, a series about the nature and scope of the bible.Then to supplement the Sunday morning teaching, we offered the first of our ConTXT seminars on Sunday night.As Sunday morning rolled around, we...
God sent us a text message.We should probably read it.How's that for a series goal?To get people to read the bible.Not exactly a new concept.But I'm excited how we are going to go about it.I'm especially excited about our Sunday night seminars designed to supplement...
A lot of what we try around here doesn't work. I could write a book on all that, I suppose.But every once in awhile, we stumble on something that does work. Through a combination of a good idea, focused efforts, and the hand of God, some of our ministries really come...