Apprentice 2 Jesus

Ministry

  • Elijah and Radical Dependence

    2 Then the LORD’s word came to Elijah: 3 Go from here and turn east. Hide by the Cherith Brook that faces the Jordan River. 4 You can drink from the brook. I have also ordered the ravens to provide for you there. 5 Elijah went and did just what the LORD said. He stayed… Read more

  • To My Pastor Friends

    13 Jesus went up on a mountain and called those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve and called them apostles. He appointed them to be with him, to be sent out to preach, 15 and to have authority to throw out demons. (Mark 3:13-15, CEB) There is a sacredness to… Read more

  • Pastors as Theologians

    One of the topics I have wrestled with for quite some time is the idea of pastors as theologians, or theologians as pastors. As a pastor, I have grown over the years in my ability to think theologically. I earned my Master’s 20 years after I finished my BA. I love pastoring. What I have… Read more

  • Leading and Pastoring

    There will always be the call to LEAD. It is not a matter of saying it’s either you pastor or you lead. But it is painfully clear that we are putting leadership on steroids these days in our cultural churches. Pastors MUST lead. But in the church, and in being the pastor (or whatever you… Read more

  • Leadership, Followership, Pastor, CEO

    Scot McKnight has an interesting book review on his blog about Len Sweet’s new book. This may be a book worth examining. What is also worth reading are the comments on that particular post. At least from this review, there seem to be some things I would like to explore in the book. Christians are… Read more

  • Farewell and Hello

    I used to set goals for each year. I got away from it because somehow in setting goals it also implied a deadline. Now, I am trying to realize that I need to take time to re-evaluate my goals from time to time. Forget the timeline in many cases. For instance, I need to set… Read more

  • Words I Need to Hear

    Michael Hyatt has a tremendous post on being a “hero” today. It’s worth your time reading. A couple of things I needed to hear: Stop complaining about a lack of resources. Has God called me to do what I am doing? Then he knows how to get it funded! Be in the moment and act.… Read more

  • Thoughts on Pastoring

    I have been encouraged by a mentor of mine to put together some thoughts on ministry. It’s meant to be an encouragement for pastors who… well… pastor. It’s more about the ministry and call of pastoring as opposed to all the leadership material we have right now. Mark Galli’s piece, of course, pre-empts all my… Read more

  • The King Jesus Gospel — Messing Up the Message

    I am beginning to work my way through The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight. My church staff will be making our way through it the next several weeks as well. The diagnosis of the “evangelical problem” resonates with me. The struggle over “decisions” and “disciples” has been something I’ve felt for all my years in… Read more

  • The Challenge of Servanthood in an Age of Self-Branding

    The text for next Sunday is Philippians 2:1-13. I find these words incredibly challenging in an age where self-branding and marketing is so dominant. 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2… Read more