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The quietest part of my week is Saturday night. I spend most of it alone in a large empty sanctuary. I talk to myself… doing final edits and revisions to tomorrow’s sermon, thinking through announcements, prayer request and technological hurtles. I’ll give it all a final run-through. I talk to God – praying that He […]

I measure church seasons by terms of office. We’re led by elders and deacons who serve for three years at a time before taking a two year break. Right now we’re saying “thank you” and “rest up” to leaders who have finished a three-year term. Jim, Mart, Mike, Tim, & Josh. And it’s been a

A late post on Father’s Day. Every pastor has prejudices. When you work with people long enough, you look for clues that save you time in measuring people before you do deep dives into their opinions. And being a pastor is tricky because everyone has opinions on your job. Here’s what gets my attention if

One of the least controversial decisions the CRCNA Synod 2022 did was to approve my replacement for the national board (Council of Delegates) :-). I accepted the nomination 5 years ago in part because I really cared about local CRCNA churches in North America, in part because I had some complaints, and in part because..

Jesus tells this horrifying story about seeds of Christian faith that get choked by thorns (Matthew 13:8). For a long time I interpreted these thorns to be (I hate to admit this) like the thorns in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty – giant, unescapable, fire-breathing dragon included. I really thought that the things that might strangle faith

Right after Sharon Vogel celebrated her last child’s graduation, she started college herself. Before her 50th birthday she had earned her degree and started teaching parttime in a local Christian School… which closed sadly and unexpectedly right after her first year teaching preschool. 11 years ago… without students, without a school, without a building, she

Nothing better than being in the thick of wedding season with her as my date. (the Tim Keller quote I read when officiating) To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being

I spent a wonderful decade in Youth Ministry. (Pictured are students from my last year as youth pastor before becoming a senior pastor). Back then we had a lot of fun along with talking about faith, community and service. But now, some of my proudest moments are seeing what they’ve become – watching them get

“Being reformed” means being a part of church accountability. (covenant networks across states and countries). “Being Reformed” means that celebrity pastors don’t call the shots, that local churches are somehow accountable to other local churches, that groups of churches make decisions together. And it’s a lot of work and it’s a hassle. And it can sometimes hold back a lot of the entrepreneurial energy and creativity that has propelled the evangelical machine.

Tonight we’re missing CADETS and GEMS due to summer break. It ended without fanfare, but I’m so thankful for these programs that reach around 40 boys and girls and their families. I think a lot about the several kids who don’t have dads or moms investing in them and am soooo thankful for godly leaders