Publication:Pastoral Letter, August 2019 Dear Friends, I have been privileged to grow up among Christians and to minister in a wide variety of churches, from house churches to megachurches, in numerous denominations and cultures, in the United States and abroad. I have literally traveled millions of miles. No, I am not an expert in Church [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, July 2019 Dear Friend in Christ: We must properly face the past in order to have a better future. Too many people are trying to carry the burdens of the past into their future. I have been reminded once again of this principle. After downsizing our office space, we have multiple storage units [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, June 2019 Dear Friend in Christ: Recently, I had the privilege of receiving communion with a friend from another denomination. I’ve known him, his love and service for Jesus, and for me, for many years. It was the first time that he and I had shared communion. It was special as we celebrated [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, May 2019 Dear Friend in Christ: My purpose in this letter is to strengthen us against deception. In the story of Creation and the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:1 tells us, “Now the serpent was more subtle.” The serpent was the embodiment of Lucifer, God’s arch-enemy and ours, who was beguiling Adam and [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, April 2019 Dear Friend in Christ: When I entered the ministry, the largest churches were downtown, on main streets, or on the city square, central to the culture. Now most large churches are in the suburbs, peripheral to the culture. The migration of churches to the suburbs is symbolic to what has happened [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, January 2019 Dear Friend in Christ: It is a New Year and I pray that it will be a great one for you! Yesterday is past; the future is not yet here, and today is the transition from yesterday to tomorrow. We are on a journey, sojourners in temporary dwellings. Adjusting to change [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, December 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: This month brings us to the celebration of Jesus’ miraculous birth, “Joy to the World!” It is a joyful season of carols, Christmas trees, giving gifts, family, and wonderful meals. Much of what we will do and the date that we celebrate will have little to do [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, October 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: I want to share a principle with you that has been very helpful to me and others with whom I have ministered. The principle never fails, though we often we do. The good news is that when we fail, failure need not be final. The principle is [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, August 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: I pray you are having a blessed Summer! I believe that life is defined by our response to God, His Word, and His Son, Jesus. We are accountable for that choice. That choice will determine the choices we make throughout life. In other words, it is all [...]
Publication:Pastoral Letter, July 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: We live in times when it seems that anger and vindictiveness are becoming social norms in many places. Its affecting families, friendships, neighbors, and even churches. Personal peace seems to be more elusive; stress and strife often lurk around the corner. Is there hope for America and [...]
