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On Preaching
If you’d asked me twenty years ago if I’d one day stand in front of people week after week and deliver a public ‘speech,’ I would have looked at you like you had four eyes. You see, I was never one who desired the stage. I knew I was called…
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On Burying Friends
Since January 2020, I have now officiated twenty-three funerals of congregants. When I officiated my first in January 2021, I remember being worried because…
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The Curse of the Church Today: We Grew Up
Before becoming a Senior Pastor, I served for over a decade in youth and collegiate ministries. One thing I miss about those days was the deep relational connection that existed that is hardly seen among adults in churches today. Back then, we planned events around deepening relational connection and we…
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Women Pastors Changed My Life
“Could you even imagine working for a woman pastor?” This question was once directed at me by a male Senior Pastor as he relayed his stance on women serving in ministry positions. I will never forget the look of pure amazement that must have been on my face as I…
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What’s So Good About Good Friday?
What’s so good about Good Friday? At first glance, nothing. Immanuel, God-with-us is beaten, stripped, mocked, and then executed. His crime? Standing with the outcasts, healing the sick, and daring to stand up in the face of the power dynamics of his day and offer a different kind of power.…
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Why Lent?
Today is the 44th day in the Lenten Season. If you’re like me you might be wondering why we’ve even embraced this journey of darkness. Sure, Ash Wednesday we get: an annual reminder of our mortality seems appropriate in our often narcissistic and “main-character-energy” filled lives. Why the other days,…
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The Myth of “God Never Gives You More Than You Can Handle”
“God never gives you more than you can handle.” It’s a phrase used by many to try and comfort those experiencing loss or grief. It’s also used to help us step into the future with a bit more confidence and hope. The thing is, it’s not biblical. It’s also not…
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Acknowledgments from My Doctoral Journey
As I prepare to [virtually] cross the stage as my Doctor of Ministry degree is conferred next week, I wanted to publicly thank all of those who aided me in getting to this point. The following post is actually the acknowledgments page of my final work, but most of you…
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Christians, Give Yourself Permission to Mourn This Easter
Easter Sunday is generally a day of light for Christian churches. We sing songs of joy, exclaim that “he is risen” and celebrate the risen Jesus that brings us all together. Often, Easter Sunday is one of the highest attended Sundays. Many churches find their pews/chairs full of congregants ––…
