Dan

Sometimes I wonder if we have all gone crazy. Take a look at the world today,  and it seems we have our priorities backwards. Slavery and the sex trafficking of minors is at an all time high,  but we are worried about Brucelyn Jenner. Millions of babies are murdered every day in abortion clinics,  but we are more concerned with same gender marriage.  Yes,  these are all issues and each one represents the depravity and the lostness of our society, but as Christians we need to make it a priority to protect those who cannot protect themselves.   Children,  infants and the unborn should be our … [Read more...] about The Real American Idol

It's graduation season,  and all over the country,  people are getting ready to attend graduation parties,  ceremonies and activities. Kindergarteners with their construction paper mortar boards,  High School Seniors getting class rings and tassels,  College grads getting ready for the next chapter.   It seems like yesterday I was graduating from Seminary,  where does the time go? During graduation season,  there are people preparing speeches and addresses.   Many will contain a great deal of advice to the new graduate. Words of wisdom,  words of advice on how to live and how to move … [Read more...] about My Word of Advice

There is something I've been pondering I would like to share with you. If you would share your feedback.  Is it ok to call people things that are less than flattering? Is it ok, permissible to call out or be  rude in a serious or confrontational situation? Here is the basis for my question, in a discussion on social media, one individual told another he was much smarter, tools the individual to admit he was mentally outclassed. He then called him an ignoramus multiple times, then tossed out some Theological labels. I addresses the situation, pointing out the problem of being rude. The … [Read more...] about Is Name Calling Biblical?

Have you ever heard the expression "it has an 'air' about it"?  It can be a person, a place, a room, a company or a church.  There are some churches that just seem friendly or some that just seem full of grace, and some that just seem cold and distant.  We project a certain type of air and attitude with all we say and do.  What is your air? In this day and age in many cooperate places, they are working to change the mood of the company.  Looking at companies like Google and Yahoo, who lead the way in having a positive environment.  They get more accomplished, people are more creative and … [Read more...] about What’s Your Atmosphere?

Luke 12:16-20 tells the story of a rich man with a great crop.  He makes plans to build bigger barns and be merry, not knowing he wouldn't survive the night.  I think the Church in the United States, and probably Western Europe as well, is like this man.  There was a foundation of Biblical teachings and this country was a Christian nation, founded by Christians escaping persecution from the Church of England.  Christian traditions and values were American traditions and values, the two became intertwined.  It was part of church culture, it was part of American culture.  Then the times … [Read more...] about Realities of a Post Christian America

I have served in Vocational Ministry for a little more than a decade when I was transitioned out. I have been an interim,Youth Pastor, Education Pastor, Associate Pastor, Campus Missionary and Teacher. Currently I am working in a manufacturing plant. It's a good job, good pay but it's not where my heart is. I want to share with you today a view from someone who feels a calling and a burden, but for some purpose, God has moved me away from the vocation that I cherished for a time. The Pastorate can be burdensome, it comes with expectations that are sometimes unfair and requirements that … [Read more...] about The Gift of Vocational Ministry

What defines a church?  What is a church and what isn't a church?  We have had this discussion a lot when it comes to church growth and church planting.  There are definitely some some distinctives that exist, or at least should in the church.  Things we welcome, things we tolerate and some things we shouldn't.  In some ways, we have forgotten which things to tolerate and what to not tolerate.  I want to share today what I see in scripture that we shouldn't tolerate. First, sexual immorality.  This one is an easy and obvious one, cause Paul said to throw the sexual immoral out.  I Corinthians … [Read more...] about Things We Shouldn’t Tolerate in the Church, and a Few We Should

I was invited to a back to school celebration this week.  The keynote speaker, Dr Draper (not that Dr. Draper) shared with us that we need to be positive when we talk about schools. . . other schools.  He made the comment that most people in the US think that their schools are good, but every other school in the US is bad.  They say that the schools in general in this country are failing, but their school is doing better. Wow, he could have been talking about the church.  We say how broken the American church is, but our church is different.  Ours is ok and doing the right things, but in … [Read more...] about Maybe We Should be More Positive

Mark Driscoll is hot news again, this time with protesters and many calling for his resignation.  What do we do with the Mark Driscolls of the world?  I have little doubt that Mark loves God and desires to serve Him.  I also have no doubt that Mark is a strong leader, a charismatic leader and people are drawn to him.  He has been successful in planting a very large church and gathering a large following.  Do these things combined together to make a good pastor?  May would say that Driscoll illustrates a resounding NO. There seem to be two types of men who go into Pastoral ministry, or … [Read more...] about What to Do With Mark Driscoll

If you have ever heard this phrase, you have probably just been either criticized or insulted or both.  I will admit, I hate this phrase, mostly because it means nothing.  Just sayin. . . what did I think you were doing?  If I hear you talking, I know you are just saying something, but it's what you are saying that bothers me.  Like somehow this little phrase gives us the right to say whatever we want. Another one we like is "no offense" which somehow we believe is a magical phrase that if we say it, the person can't or won't be offended.  I have heard some of the most offensive things ever … [Read more...] about Just Sayin. . .