How We Develop Elders
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is discovering men whom God has called into ministry and developing them into godly shepherds and missional leaders. Currently, we are training three elder...
View ArticleWhy Neighborhoods Are the Future in Austin
It’s no surprise to anyone living in Austin that our city is growing. As of July 1, 2012, USA Today reports Austin as the 11th largest city in the country and the highest growth rate since the 2010...
View Article5 Questions to Ask Deacons
We’re just finishing up our second round of Deacon interviews. I’ve been overwhelmed and the godly caliber of men and women who have gone through our training process and eagerly aspire to be lead...
View ArticleFacing the Leviathan [video]
I loved this book. It haunted my thoughts, inspired my writing, challenged my leadership, stirred my desires, stimulated my mind. Get it now.
View ArticleLearning Burnout Before its Too Late
Remarks about “celebrity pastors” are everywhere (mind you it takes “celebrants” to reach such status). Unfortunately, some of these pastors have followed a tragic, Aristotelian arc–starting in a good...
View ArticleDefining Burnout (& Coming Back)
I recently shared a few thoughts on how to avoid burnout and promised to follow up by sharing some insights from Clay Werner’s very good book On the Brink: Grace for Burned-out Pastors. Before I do...
View ArticleHope for Those On the Brink
As I read On the Brink: Grace for Burned Out Pastors I felt Clay’s understanding arm wrapped around my shoulder, his words carrying heartfelt empathy, something that can be hard for pastors to find. As...
View Article3 Recommended Books on Burnout
In light of my recent article at Lifeway Leadership, here are a few books I recommend reading if you feel exhausted by ministry, lackluster about the church, or distant from Jesus: On The Brink – This...
View Article5 Ways Seminary Equipped Me for Ministry
1 Biblical Epistemology – My prolegomena helped me grasp how a Biblical worldview in intellectually credible. The writings of John Frame and N.T Wright on critical realism helped me grasp a way of...
View ArticleWhen Mission Gets in the Way of Counseling
Should we spend time counseling when we could be out evangelizing, building community, strategizing for mission or preaching? Isn’t counseling something missional leaders “refer,” not something we do?...
View ArticleChristmas Confession & Assurance
CONFESSION Lord God, We praise you for sending your light and love—Jesus the Messiah—into this world. We confess that we often live like the light did not defeat the darkness. We confess that we often...
View ArticleEnding Our Church, Beginning a New Call
I didn’t start a church to end a church, but yesterday the elders of City Life Church announced the end of our chapter in the grand, Gospel story. On December 18, 2022 we will gather for the final time...
View ArticleHow I Discerned a New Calling
The decision to retire as lead pastor of City Life Church wasn’t my decision; it included numerous voices. Because the decision would impact people beyond me, I took deliberate steps to evaluate my...
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