Leadership

Sitting Down or Standing Up

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. [...]

Dealing With the Past

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,. [...]

One In Christ

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. [...]

Subtle Seduction

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,. [...]

Downtown to Suburbs

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. [...]

Transition

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. [...]

Ride the Wild Surf!

Publication:Pastoral Letter, September 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: I pray you had a wonderful Summer! Thank you so much for your friendship, support, and prayer for this ministry. This month, I want to share something with you that I pray will encourage you during these tumultuous times. Is it possible. [...]

Faith and Doubt

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. [...]

I Don’t Blame You

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. [...]

Involved or Inert

Publication:Pastoral Letter, April 2018 Dear Friend in Christ, I pray this letter finds you well and enjoying a blessed Springtime! I believe this Pastoral Letter is especially timely, and trust you will find it inspiring. Let me say that my purpose is not to criticize but to stimulate us to. [...]

From Trials to Triumph

Publication:Pastoral Letter, March 2018 Dear Friends, I love the Word of God for so many reasons but primarily because I believe it is the Word of God and therefore it is true. It doesn’t gloss over the “nasty stuff” or deny us the great stuff. It gives us amazing promises,. [...]

The Long View or the Wrong View

Publication:Pastoral Letter, February 2018 Dear Friend in Christ: I began the New Year reading the book of Genesis, the book of “beginnings.” The principles that played out in Genesis run through the entire Bible. Among those principles is God’s purpose for the entire world. One aspect of His purpose is. [...]

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