As I talk to pastors, especially in an election season like this, I often sense the deep frustration they feel in shepherding their people through a time like this. People are very angry and opinionated these days. It’s hard to know how much or how little to say, and...

I am what you might call a recreational gardener. It’s a hobby I find great joy and satisfaction in. I love the reward of seeing the literal fruits of my labor season after season. One of the more difficult disciplines for me has been pruning. It just feels...

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me (1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV).” You will fulfill your ministry if you stay...

I just returned from leading a group of Life Action friends on an epic journey in Paul’s footsteps. On the first day there, we stood together on the beach at biblical Neapolis, the place where Paul landed in response to his Macedonian call. It was also the doorway for...

While Jesus is indeed the Good Shepherd, “small s” shepherds are one of the great gifts given to the church (Eph. 4:11) because God’s people need undershepherds. They always have and always will until the physical presence of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is our reality.

Every ministry marriage needs a miracle. Ministry is just really hard on marriage. You need a miracle, either to make your marriage strong or to keep your marriage strong. Our marriage was in real trouble thirty years ago. We always fought and did not want to be...

Every pastor I know believes in discipleship. Every pastor has his philosophy and methods, and no two are exactly the same. But there should be one common ingredient present in every discipleship endeavor. A secret sauce will help lead to spiritual success in seeing faith fostered and matured in others.

There is no shortage of famous last words in history. What kind of life will you live that will lead to your last words?

“The only bird that dares to peck an eagle is the crow. The crow sits on the eagle’s back and bites its neck. The eagle does not respond or fight with the crow; it does not spend time or energy on the crow. Instead, it opens its wings and rises higher in the heavens....

“All in” is a popular phrase today. It is a casual way to speak of commitment. We might say, “I’m all in on my favorite sports team.” Or, “I’m all in about my spiritual leadership role.”