Writing

This blog helps pastors and church leaders foster spiritual discernment and maintain a healthy work-life balance, offering reflections and practical advice to lead with clarity and purpose rooted in a strong connection with God.

God's People

Tonight, we will begin our fall session of our missional community. In the spring, we conducted a pilot/test group. We found the rhythm of the schedule suitable and helpful for discipleship at First Baptist. In short, we meet on the first week of ...

An Open Posture

This summer, we are navigating two discernment processes as a congregation. Each one has its challenges. This past Sunday, we spent nearly 4 hours in the Examine stage of one of these processes. It was a long and difficult conversation. We worked ...

Entering Into the Story

This past week, I have been re-reading a book entiled Missional Map-Making: Skills for Leading in Times of Transition by Alan Roxburgh. I read it for the first time shortly after its publication in 2010. I was in the midst of my doctoral work. On...

In and Out

The summer, we are working through a number of discernment processes in our church. In fact, if we can survive these changes, it greatly increases my confidence in this process. First, we are altering the church budget. In order to bring expenses ...

Test Drive

As we navigate through two discernment processes at our church, I am a bit overwhelmed with the potential change. While the prospective shifts seem promising and life-giving to our congregation, there are some among us who are resistant to any lev...

Mystery and Clarity

As we navigate cultural and sociological changes, the pathway can be obscure. How do we balance differing opinions, program history and congregational expectations? How do we figure out the right paths in our decision-making? I have to admit , it ...