This message incorporated many of my favorite things about being a preacher. Such as . . . A slight poke at Left Behind teaching; A reliance on the wisdom of Epic Of Eden by Sandy Richter; A pointed word at how human narcissism extends even to our picture of heaven;...
What The Creed SAYS By What It DOESN’T SAY
I love the last line of the Apostles’ Creed: [. . . I believe] in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen. While the Creed may not have the same level of authority as inspired Scripture, it nevertheless represents the best of the collective wisdom...
Charlotte Observer, April 27, 2016
While certain other Charlotte-area United Methodist churches and activities have been in the news recently, this piece on our Zoar Road Campus was in today's Charlotte Observer: Church expansion lands in housing boom In 2014, leaders at Good Shepherd...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Elements Of An Excellent Bible Study
We've all been there. Sitting in a small group Bible Study -- whether a Sunday School class, home-based fellowship group, or even a high-intensity accountability group -- and it is falling flat. The curriculum doesn't connect, the people aren't engaged, and you, as...
The Light At The Beginning Of The Tunnel, Week 4 — The “Shining Light” Sermon Rewind
This was a bottom line first. And a sermon that found it second. I know, I know . . . that's not the way it's supposed to go. Yet a couple of months ago, I was sitting in the back of the room at a meeting regarding the future of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (pretty...
The Light At The Beginning Of The Tunnel, Week 4 — “Shining Light”
So does the sermon title of "Shining Light" mean we're going to pull this tune out? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCN893hzueQ No, not likely. But it does mean we're having one of my favorite bottom lines EVER, as well as some concrete next steps for...
#TBT – A Scissor Kick Serve
For a variety of reasons, I haven't stepped on a court to play tennis since 2008. (Those reasons include not wanting to re-injure my back, not interfering with going to the Y, and, most of all, not wanting to be confronted with the reality of what age & disuse...
History Makers
These folks are from our Zoar Campus Next Step Group: Yes, four weeks into to our second site, Campus Pastor Chris Thayer is leading a new member group on Tuesday nights. Our Moss Road Campus hosts its own Next Step Group starting tonight. You can still sign up...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Ways Churches Find God’s Solutions In A World Of Problems
Anyone can point out problems. It takes people of faith, tenacity, and camaraderie to pinpoint solutions. And that's just what churches around our city and across this nation are doing in the face of some of the world's most intractable problems. So, in a tribute to...
The Light At The Beginning Of The Tunnel, Week 3 — The “Spotlight” Sermon Rewind
This message could have been called World Light. Or Strobe Light. Or Real Light. It also could have been subtitled: How to ensure you're never elected to public office or denominational hierarchy. To see what I mean, read below. It's a message in which the WHEN...