Articles for Pastors

Are You a “What’s Next” Leader or a What’s Now Leader?

For so long, I lived in the “what’s next” space that I constantly missed what’s now. It’s hard to stop and smell the roses when you are moving so fast that you barely notice there are roses to smell.

What to Say When Someone Dies (And What Not to Say)

"Many people struggle with what to say to the grief-stricken."

Christ, the Commoner King

What does God look like? He looks like Jesus, the Commoner King. When God became man, it looked like Jesus, and he still does.

How to Predict Divorce (Hint: It Involves the Wedding Cake)

What are some common signs of divorce? You might be surprised to hear that as a pastor, I can predict the likelihood of divorce based on how the wedding cake is exchanged.

The Bible Is Not ‘Magical’—Jen Wilkin Addresses Common Misconceptions in Our Approach to God’s Word

In a recent interview on the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast, author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin addressed misconceptions Christians have about reading the Bible and also offered suggestions for how church leaders can help congregants engage with the Bible well.

3 Ways to Define Reality and Give Hope as You Lead

Defining reality for those we lead us has not been a one-time action during the pandemic. The grief and losses people are experiencing in this season is not something we can deal with once and then casually move past.

My 4-Step Method for Outlining Sermons

I don’t have one method that I use every time. Each sermon calls for something slightly different. But I do have a preferred method I enjoy using when it fits with the sermon.

Prayer Changes Everything, But Prayer Doesn’t Fix Everything

Prayer isn’t a magic formula that instantly and easily fixes everything.