Full Circle: Back to Bethel This Fall!
July 24, 2022
Let me tell you about a dream come true, twenty long years in the making. … More Full Circle: Back to Bethel This Fall!
Sabbatical Update: “Hello, Right Brain!”
June 30, 2022
During my time away from the normal routines and responsibilities of ministry, I have been giving my left-brain a little rest and fired up the creative engine of my right-brain in a fun little project. … More Sabbatical Update: “Hello, Right Brain!”
Not a Zero-Sum Kingdom
May 31, 2022
Behind Pharaoh’s brutality and injustice was the fear of scarcity. It’s a theme that occurs throughout the Bible, throughout human history, and which still plagues modern societies. … More Not a Zero-Sum Kingdom
Sabbatical Thoughts & Crumbling Sidewalks
May 25, 2022
And she began to explain in 2nd grade terms what no 8-year old should ever have to explain…something this 42-year old can’t find words to explain or make sense of. I walked behind the two, watching my son’s innocent world being punctured, and helplessly watching the ground literally and figuratively becoming less stable under his little feet. … More Sabbatical Thoughts & Crumbling Sidewalks
Wisdom in a World of Sound & Fury
May 6, 2022
My singular call these days is to try to get people under my influence to turn down the volume on the worldly voices (social media, cable news, etc.), and to turn up the volume on wiser voices. David Brooks is one of the wise voices in public life. … More Wisdom in a World of Sound & Fury
Why Compassion Is Divisive (David French)
May 2, 2022
In the age of cancel culture, mercy makes enemies. David French explores why compassion can be so divisive in Jesus’ day and ours. … More Why Compassion Is Divisive (David French)
Easter on the Road and in the Living Room
April 19, 2022
MainStreet took our Easter service on the road this year to the Senior Living community, while our folks gathered in our living room in a strange yet beautiful Easter we will not soon forget. … More Easter on the Road and in the Living Room
Easter Service 2021
April 15, 2022
I was just revisiting the video services we put together the last two years, and I wanted to share them again. We don’t have a megachurch budget and media team; just a crazy pastor with an iPhone preaching in golf courses and cemeteries. Enjoy! … More Easter Service 2021
Angels in Empty Places (Easter ’22)
April 14, 2022
God’s angels congregate in the “empty places” bringing comfort to people with empty emotional tanks and empty hopes. But they also redirect our attention away from what’s empty to focus instead on what’s now being filled! … More Angels in Empty Places (Easter ’22)
Fight Like Jesus During Holy Week
April 9, 2022
Throughout Holy Week, two competing approaches to peacemaking collide. Jason asks, “What if we’ve embraced the wrong one?” Here’s a great conversation to usher you into Holy Week. … More Fight Like Jesus During Holy Week
Naturalized on Good Friday
April 8, 2022
I’m struck by the immigration-related language Paul uses to describe the reconciliation that is possible because of what Jesus did in this week we call Holy. … More Naturalized on Good Friday
Basketball Fever & Nostalgia
April 6, 2022
In a former life I breathed the oxygen of basketball. I gave my heart, soul, mind and strength to excelling on the hardwood. Now 25 years later, I’m a dad on the sidelines and dipping my toe into the world of hoops again. The fiery passion has not returned, but I have been thinking about the game more than usual these days. … More Basketball Fever & Nostalgia
Casting Nets: A Challenge to Pastors
April 5, 2022
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. By this definition, many pastors and church leaders may just be insane. … More Casting Nets: A Challenge to Pastors
A Table for Misfits and Ragamuffins
April 4, 2022
Let’s imagine ourselves into the story and join this strange cast of characters sitting around Jesus’ table. Which of these characters do you relate to most? … More A Table for Misfits and Ragamuffins
Spring Break ’22: Myrtle Beach, S.C.
March 29, 2022
Back in the mini-van of dreams for another spring break road trip. A few highlights so far include: Visited the Hoosier Gym in Indiana where the classic 1985 film “Hoosiers” was filmed. A neat tour by charming old volunteers — like 92 years old! Then they let you shoot around and burn some energy. In … More Spring Break ’22: Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Neither Liberal nor Conservative: Systemic Racism, White Privilege, and Christian Nationalism, Oh My!
March 23, 2022
Carl Ellis knows what it’s like to get flack from both left and right because he’s navigating a “third way” as a Jesus follower. Systemic racism is a problem, but critical race theory is also problematic. White privilege is a reality to be aware of, but should not lead to white guilt. Dive into wisdom in this nuanced conversation with Preston Sprinkle. … More Neither Liberal nor Conservative: Systemic Racism, White Privilege, and Christian Nationalism, Oh My!
Rotten Fruit in God’s Vineyard
March 20, 2022
Something is rotten in the vineyard. The owner will soon return, and will he cut us down, or give us time to heal this mess we’ve made? … More Rotten Fruit in God’s Vineyard
Personal Update: Itinerant Professor
March 18, 2022
Am I the stereotypical professor scurrying through the door at the last minute, hair disheveled and throwing off my coat as I ramble off an obscure quote by some 4th century theologian? … More Personal Update: Itinerant Professor
You Can’t Afford to NOT go to Church
March 7, 2022
A recent article on church attendance and personal well-being cites some recent studies that show the power and blessing active participation in a local church provides. … More You Can’t Afford to NOT go to Church
Weeping With King Jesus Over Ukraine
February 25, 2022
Have you noticed worldly kings rarely weep (in public)? Not so with our King of Kings. Today Jesus weeps over the war in Ukraine. … More Weeping With King Jesus Over Ukraine
Pandemic Pastors
February 24, 2022
Why are clergy in such a funk? A long list of contributing factors surfaced in my recent communications with pastors. … More Pandemic Pastors
Viral Jesus For an Infected Church
February 11, 2022
I saw an ad today inviting leaders, content creators, and influencers to learn how to make their faith go viral. What if we instead focus on helping Jesus’ faith and ethics go viral? … More Viral Jesus For an Infected Church
Snowflake Spirituality
February 3, 2022
While Scripture affirms the value of comfort, it also makes clear that we require resistance, striving, pain, and suffering in order to grow in godliness. … More Snowflake Spirituality
Jesus-Centered?
January 26, 2022
Here’s a peace by Kurt Willems on a topic that I’m passionate about. What does it mean to be a Jesus-centered church? What are the alternatives? … More Jesus-Centered?
The Divine Bartender & the Power of Music
January 21, 2022
I came across a YouTube channel last night that left me in tears and reminded me of the power of music to reach people spiritually. … More The Divine Bartender & the Power of Music
Kingdom Harbor 