I’m a big Philadelphia Eagles fan. Have been all my life. But this particular iteration of the Eagles is one of my favorites of all time. The owner wants to win. The front office is smart and savvy. The roster is among the most talented in the NFL. The players are highly skilled with a … More Pastor, You Need a Coach
Important New Post I got a second date with the sweetheart I married when she saw a well-worn copy of J. Oswald Sanders book, Spiritual Leadership on my office shelf. (Her story and I’m going to tell it.) Mike Green, the campus director at the University of Maryland of Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) first … More The Cost of Leadership: Higher than You Imagine
When we left our last church, we didn’t know what God had for us in the future. It was difficult saying goodby to friends and the thought that perhaps our years of caring for the people of God was coming to an end. We knew that God could be trusted, but we didn’t know what … More A Standing Stone Ministry Update
The word “gap” only appears once in the Bible. Once. And Ezekiel 22:30 is that one time. The nation of Israel was a mess. They had turned from God. The cities had become violent and crime ridden. Immorality was rampant. Liars dominated the leadership structures in the Temple and the government. Greed rather than grace … More It Only Appears Once in the Bible
Have you ever had an interaction with someone who gave you the creeps? I know you have. We all have. Some people easily set off our “phony” radar. We seem to be able to detect their fake motives and disingenuous character. Something in the way they look, or the look of their eye, or the … More There is No Hypocrisy Like Religious Hypocrisy
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations,if you live near him.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit ( Ballantine Books, 1937, 1938, and 1966 ) p. 207. This post relates to all planning but I have church planters in mind most particularly. I love church planters because of what they are … More Planning Pitfalls
It was an innocent question. I’m sitting at a pastor’s retreat acting as one of a team of four mentors seeking to encourage 15 pastors, with one exception, the oldest of whom is 50, most of which are in their 20’s or 30’s. “What will you take away from this week?” I’ve listened to a … More An Apex Predator Stalking Younger Pastors
I heard a horror story yesterday. A large mega-church “hired” ten interns. One day before they were to finish their internships, they were all fired and none were given good recommendations. None. I said, “hired” in quotes because they were paid “slave wages” and worked long hours. At another church, apparently a mega-church with a … More A Pastoral Horror Story
Howard Hendricks was a great leader and discipler of men. Not very tall but with a personality that dominated a room, he was unforgettable. Unfortunately, he is mostly forgotten today, except by everyone whoever met him or heard him, he was a man useful to God. Though small in stature, “Howie”, was both a scintillating … More A New Prayer from a Dead Saint
This is a site designed to provide materials, ideas and hope for Christian Leaders. It is pastoral care for church planters, missional leaders, pastors and missionaries and all those who want to be more effective and more Christ-centered in their lives and ministry. Working with Standing Stone Ministry, I meet with pastors on a regular … More When Christian Leaders are Criticized
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