Pastors

Religious traditions aren’t all bad. It’s important, even necessary, to respect our past. But religious traditions can go wrong. The biggest danger is this: Our traditions are always at risk of having lost the thread of the grace of God.

“I wish my husband was more like you.” -- This is the most dangerous sentence I have heard (in one form or another) multiple times throughout my ministry.

Many people are surprised, and some are shocked, when they hear of my involvement in the charismatic movement years ago.

The older I get and the longer I lead, the more I become convinced that what sets the most effective leaders apart is intangible.

The simple truth is that we don’t like to talk about God’s wrath. It makes us moderately uncomfortable. We prefer to talk about how God is loving, kind, and merciful, all of which are gloriously true. The wrath of God is just as glorious as his love and mercy.

Here are 10 traits of post-pandemic churches with growing in-person attendance I have gleaned from incredible leaders.

Unlearning false narratives when they’re discovered is important, especially for leaders.

When choosing leaders, keep these four ideas in mind: Look for people who think, look for people who act, look for people whose lives you can observe, and look for people who deeply depend on God.