“When a preacher opens the Bible and interprets the Word of God, a mystery takes place, a miracle: the grace of God, who comes down from heaven into our midst and speaks to us, knocks on our door, asks questions, warns us, puts pressure on us, alarms us, and makes us joyful again and free … More QUOTABLES: Bonhoeffer on Preaching
I wrote an end of the year reflection in December, doing some introspection. Its the final chapter in my Soul Artisan book. I thought I’d risk sharing some of it here. -JB Planting the church almost killed me. There are parts of me that still haven’t recovered 6 years later. I think I’ve been burned out since … More The Me God Made Me to Be
by Pete Scazzero Limits are often the last place we look for God. We want to conquer them, plan around them, deny them, and fight them. We attend leadership conferences so we can step out in faith and break through the limits before us. The problem is that when we fail to look for God … More God’s Gift of Limits
I took a chance and did something new this Easter with my sermon. I wanted our church to hear what I think an Easter sermon and gospel message would have sounded like in the first century church. So, we heard an Easter sermon from the Apostle Paul as I preached (or dramatically read) the first … More Paul’s Easter Sermon from Prison
Recent Barna Study: 51% Of Churchgoers Are Unaware of The Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20 is the most well-known biblical record of what is commonly referred to extra-biblically as “the Great Commission.” But despite the significance of these and other verses that call Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations,” a surprising proportion of … More The Great Omission
Billy Graham preached to over 215 million people in more than 185 countries in his lifetime. His impact for Kingdom work is significant. Late in his life, he was asked how he would go about making disciples if he was the pastor of a church. His response is recorded in Robert Coleman’s book, The Master Plan … More Who are Your Twelve?
A repost from May 2012. Let me tell you about the week I just spent with Billy Graham. Ok, not really with him. But I spent my week in Florida studying the life and ministry of Billy Graham. I read a biography, part of his autobiography, watched a documentary and the movie Billy: The Early Years that … More Me & Billy G – A Pilgrimage
“In those days there were giants in the land…” Genesis 6:4 I grew up a few blocks from from Highland Park in Mound. The park where I learned to fly a kite as a boy was once the old Baptist Assembly Grounds, and before that the Keswick Camp grounds. In the early 60s, Bill Bright’s … More Me & Billy G – Giants in the Land
I’m an artisan. It’s taken me about 38 years to admit it. My right brain has been trying to get my attention for years. I’ve been too busy doing important left brain stuff to notice. Or, perhaps I’ve been doing a lot of right brain stuff and giving the left brain all the credit. … More Right vs. Left Brain Pastor
I worry we’re preaching the love of Christ while ignoring the wisdom of Christ. I worry we’re raising up a generation of Christians shaped by the shallow and spineless gospel of the Beatles: “All you need is love, love, love.” Yet, take away wisdom and all you have a bunch of “foolish lovers” driven along by fluctuating emotions and trendy causes. Love must be accompanied by wisdom. Wisdom guides us to love rightly. … More What Keeps Me Awake? Pt. 3
What keeps me awake at night is wondering if all of my pastoral efforts are actually producing disciples. Are we just keeping people busy with programs and gatherings, or are people being gradually (and imperfectly) formed into Christlikeness? I felt Paul’s exasperation lately over his beloved church when he wrote, “Oh, my dear children! I … More What Keeps Me Awake? Pt. 2
I know the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is over, but I just happened upon an old essay I wrote on Luther’s pastoral approach to the sick and dying I found interesting. Martin Luther’s book Comfort For the Sick and Dying provides a window into his faith and theology as it is worked out in the face … More Martin Luther: Comforting the Sick
Every Christian should want to know what keeps their pastor awake at night. What is his/her greatest longing and burden for his/her congregation? I’ve been asking myself this question a lot as I prepare for the next year at MainStreet Covenant Church. It’s year seven or so in the life of this church. The excitement … More What Keeps Me Awake? Pt. 1
“If you feel or imagine that you are right and you suppose that your book, teaching, or writing is a great achievement . . . then, my dear man, feel your ears . . . . You will find that you have a splendid pair of big, long, shaggy ass’s ears.” -MARTIN LUTHER
In this series I’m sharing some of the Scriptures that have most radically influenced my own life and faith. Read full series here. I love the moment in The Lord of the Rings when Samwise turns to Frodo and asks, “I wonder what kind of a tale we’ve fallen into?” The two hobbits perceptively realized that their … More LIFE VERSES 9: Acts 17:17
In this series — Life Verses — I’m sharing some of the scriptures that have most impacted my life and faith journey. Today I want to share one of the most memorable moments I’ve had during my morning devotions. I even know the exact date. It was July 20, 2010. I was seeking God more desperately … More LIFE VERSES 8: Isaiah 49:1-6
This series is expounding some of the Bible passages that have been most significant in my own faith journey. –JB 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. From my point of view, … More LIFE VERSES 4: Hebrews 4:12
I’m in Chicago all week in a classroom full of doctoral students with noses in ancient texts, studying the role of teachers and students, prophets and scribes, literacy and illiteracy in the ancient world. Our course has the somewhat laudatory title: Becoming Doctors of the Church. I’m sharing some thoughts and insights from my studies for … More Sages Then & Now: Ben Sira
Psalm 42 declares, “O my soul, why are you downcast within me?” For the past week I’ve been declaring, “O my nostrils, why are you so full of mucus and snot?” This raises the question: Are you one of those people who refuse to go to the doctor? Do you know anybody like that? I … More Spiritual Docs & Soul Pharmacies
A good reminder for a New Year. A repost from about 9 years ago. -JB Somewhere along the way, largely in the wake of the Enlightenment’s enthronement of human reason, Christianity morphed into a rational quest for right knowledge and head beliefs. Discipleship naturally became a classroom exercise with teachers, Bible curriculum and eager (and … More Life’s the Curriculum, You’re the Assignment
I wanted to share one other encounter in the nursing home chapel this past week. As I went around shaking hands, I tried to make eye contact and said things like, “God bless you!” or “Have a Merry Christmas!” One gentlemen sat expressionless in his wheel chair, waiting for his turn to be pushed back … More “It’s Good to See You!”
When God’s Word is unleashed in a room with passion and fervor, let people drop to their knees with conviction, rise up with cheers of excitement, or form an angry mob and try to throw me off a cliff; just deliver me from the spiritual wet blanket of indifference. … More Deliver Me From Indifference
By Peter Scazzero “You are concerned about many things. Only one thing is needful.” -JESUS Instead of highlighting The Fastest Growing Churches, I recommend we highlight The Slowest Churches, i.e. those that help us most to slow down and pay attention to God, ourselves, and others. When our churches continually remind our people that “only one thing … More Only the Slow will Reach the World (Peter Scazzero)
A letter to my church: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Phil. 1:3). Tomorrow most of us will be gathered around a big family table sharing not only food but also the full array of emotions that come with being together with extended family and relatives. If you had the … More A Thanksgiving Reflection
Compiled by Brian Dodd Andy Stanley’s latest book, Deep & Wide, is the definitive leadership book of this generation. Now onto the quotes: Blessed is the man who gets the opportunity to devote his life to something bigger than himself and who finds himself surrounded by friends who share his passion. As leaders, we are … More Leadership Quotes from Andy Stanley
Jeremy Berg 