A Simple and Reproducible Discipleship Structure for Busy People
EVERYDAY DISCIPLE WORKSHOP
Read MoreThe True Signs of a Healthy Church
No pastor wakes up hoping to lead an unhealthy church. No ministry leader sets a goal of producing nothing of eternal value. And yet — week after week — many of us find ourselves caught in a loop of measuring the same three things: attendance, budget, and building size. It’s not because we’re shallow. It’s…
Read MoreOne Life, One Mission: Stop Spiritual Schizophrenia
A reader named Dale wrote me with a question I hear constantly: “I’m trying to learn how to integrate my missional life with my family life — balancing family time with discipling in community. How do I do that without killing my family or never really living on mission in community with others?” Dale, you’re…
Read MoreWhy You Keep Sinning (And What Actually Changes It)
You’ve done this before. You sin. You feel the weight of it. You confess, you repent, you mean it this time — and then weeks or days later, there you are again in the same place, feeling the same shame, making the same confession. If willpower were the answer, you’d have figured this out by…
Read MoreHow to Lead Complacent Christians on Mission
Every pastor and leader knows this feeling. You cast a compelling vision for life on mission. You preach it clearly, model it consistently, and invite people in repeatedly. And still — most of your people stay on the sidelines. They’re kind, faithful in attendance, genuinely committed to Jesus in many ways — and completely unmoved…
Read MoreHow to Restart (or Jumpstart) Your Missional Community with Three Simple Rhythms
Every missional community hits a wall eventually. Maybe it was a busy holiday season that stretched into months. Maybe life got overwhelming — a job change, a move, a new baby. Maybe your group started strong and then slowly, quietly, fizzled out. Whatever happened, you’re looking at your community and wondering: How do we get…
Read MoreWhat Your Sunday Service Is Actually Teaching People About Jesus
Every week you craft a sermon, plan a set list, and arrange a room — all in service of one message. But what if the room itself is already preaching? I’ve been asking this question for years, and the more I sit with it, the more convinced I am that it deserves a real answer.…
Read MoreWhen You Can’t Do It All: Discipleship, Relationships, and Dealing with Rejection
You’re trying to be a faithful friend. A good witness. A committed disciple-maker. And somehow, you’re also supposed to stay present to the people already in your life while actively investing in new relationships for the sake of mission. And then someone you’ve poured into for months — years, even — looks you in the…
Read More7 Reasons Gossip Slowly Destroys Trust, Mission, and Discipleship
Gossip is poison. But it’s become so common in our conversations and culture that we barely notice it anymore. It’s subtle. Sometimes even dressed up as “concern” or a prayer request. But it’s still gossip, and it quietly wrecks relationships, communities, and our spiritual integrity. Let me be honest right up front: I’ve gossiped. I’ve…
Read MoreAfraid to Share Your Faith? 3 Gospel Truths That Change Everything
Opinions are shifting about how Christians should share their faith. Some argue for more relational approaches. Others still lean on confrontational styles or structured presentations. The debate will likely continue. But for many believers—regardless of method—the fear of rejection is what really keeps us quiet. And if you’ve ever hesitated to bring up Jesus in…
Read MoreBirthright: Living from Your Gospel Identity
The way of the world goes something like this: We do things—perform, serve, work—to prove our worth. We chase value in the eyes of our family, friends, spouse, boss, or even our pastor. If we do a good enough job and others perceive us as valuable, then we believe we’ll be accepted and wanted. Slowly,…
Read MoreWho Are Your Next Leaders? Find Them Using the ‘5 Cs’
Wherever I go, I hear the same concern: “We just don’t have enough quality leaders.” It’s something I’ve heard from pastors, ministry leaders, and nonprofit directors alike. They’re worn down, stretched thin, and wondering who they can trust to carry more weight. And more importantly… how to find those people in the first place. Let’s…
Read MoreStop GOing to Church. Start BEing the Church.
If you’re a Christian who has grown up “going to church” most Sundays, you may find yourself quietly wondering: Is this all there is? Maybe instead of just going to church, it’s time to BE the Church. I spent my first few years as a pastor at a really large church near Chicago. I’ll always…
Read MoreWhy Weekly Family Dinners Are a Game-Changer for Discipleship
If you’re looking for a natural, low-bar way to disciple others and live life on mission, you may be sitting on (or at) a goldmine—your dinner table. For years now, my wife Tina and I have been living out our faith in the context of real, intentional community—not just “going to church,” but sharing life…
Read MoreWhen Real Life Meets Mission: Finding Freedom in Organized and Organic Rhythms
I’m often asked what the rhythm of life looks like in our family or missional community. Is it a calendar full of planned activities? Or is it just hanging out when the mood strikes? The answer is: both. One of the most helpful ways I’ve learned to think about life together-especially when we’re living on…
Read More