On today’s episode I’m joined by Ben Connelly. Ben co-planted The City Church in Fort Worth, Texas in 2009. I have never physically been to the church but during this Covid season, I have dropped on some of their services. Ben may not be a paid staff member anymore, but his missional heart and love … Read more
Nathan Foster joined me on the Pastoring with Word podcast to talk about spiritual practices. If the name Foster rings a bell in relation to spiritual practices, you might be thinking of Nathan’s dad, Richard Foster. Over 40 Richard Foster wrote Celebration of Discipline, which has since become a modern classic on spiritual formation. In … Read more
I sat down with Steph O’Brien to talk about her book Stay Curious. Steph is the Lead Pastor at Mill City Church in Minneapolis. She also co-hosts the Lead Stories Podcast with Jo Saxton. In Stay Curious Steph tackles the issue of questions and doubt in the Christian life through the lens her own experience. … Read more
Friday September 11, 2020 marks 6 months since the WHO declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. I’m not sure how you would reflect on the past 6 months, but somehow looking at the clouds dominating the sky today seems appropriate. It isn’t sunny where I am, just an overcast, heavy stillness. As a follower of Jesus, … Read more
I had the privilege of sitting down for for a conversation with Mark Meynell for the Pastoring with Words podcast. Mark is the Director for Preaching in Europe and the Caribbean for Langham Partnership. Mark has written several books over the past 20 years as well as serving on the pastoral staff of various churches … Read more
Introducing the Pastoring with Words podcast The first season of the Pastoring with Words podcast is just becoming available every week. The podcast explores the process of writing as followers of Jesus by having conversations with those already writing in ministry. I believe all followers of Jesus should be writers. It doesn’t mean you need … Read more
Disciplism – Part 5 Thankfully, the church growth movement is now undergoing a serious self-assessment. It started with Willow Creek’s REVEAL study when the church began to look at themselves and said, “Wow, we’re good at getting decisions for Christ, but not so great at making disciples.” As far as I am concerned, I say … Read more
Disciplism – Part 4 Let’s go back to the Great Commission itself, lets look at it with fresh eyes, and see if these verses are actually talking about evangelism: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all … Read more
Parenthood is not easy. Don’t get me wrong, it has immense joys, but it’s also hard work. My wife seems to take it in her stride. Not me. There are times when I play with my 4 children, but also times when I lose my temper. Getting it right seems so difficult. My eldest, Lilly, … Read more
Disciplism – Part 3 Now I need to give you some context for what I’m about to say in this chapter. You should know that I have spent most of my adult life being reasonably obsessed with trying to unlock the codes of what makes for highly transformative missional movements—those kinds of movements that really … Read more