Disclaimer: I am having a good week. I am content in ministry and think Good Shepherd is in a good place. Please don't read this post as a sign of impending crisis in ministry. Having said that, I've been thinking about posting on things I can't do as a pastor for...

Yesterday's message ... Featured an altered title and a changed bottom line from the original. The changes happened on Thursday of the week, which almost never happens;Reminded the people of the church that Luke is an investigative journalist (as Luke 1:1-4 makes...

Here I am serving in the final round of the Texas State High School Doubles Championship. I was a sophomore, my partner was senior Chris Doane, and we were in the process of beating Sammy Giammalva & Mickey Branisa from Houston. In the way high school tennis...

So what's the more profound role for a person in my role: pastor or agitator? If you say pastor, then you'll believe that the most effective leader of a local church will care for souls, pursue healing, and excel in the ministry of presence. If you say agitator, then...

Last month, Julie got me a pair of Airpods for my 58th birthday. I was initially a bit skeptical. I like my music in tactile, tangible forms, and I’ve never been much of one for any kind of audio headgear. I had a Sony Walkman for about two days back in 1985 and then...

Yesterday's message ... Was one of those I felt good about from the moment I prepared it back in early October;Used an analogy with a $20 bill that seemed to connect with people;Was SUPPOSED to reference Linda Ronstadt (give the message title) ... yet at all three...

Linda Ronstadt famously asked, "I've been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved?" I think if she had checked Matthew 1 closely, she might have asked an entirely different kind of question. Or: received a completely different kind of answer. That's what we're...

John 5:24 got me today: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.We usually feel like we have to wait for the other side of the grave to "cross over from...

"Fresh Expressions" is a movement within church-land to take ministry TO THE COMMUNITY rather than asking the community to come TO THE CHURCH. It's high touch, low threat evangelism that places a priority on the ministry of presence. In our case, it's better said...

This past Friday, I went with Julie and our Good Shepherd friend Jay Shennum to the Neighborhood Theater in the NoDa section of Charlotte to enjoy a concert by "On The Border," an Eagles Tribute Band. This was our second such foray, but by far the most interesting....