How To Write A Better Sermon

Over the last number of years I have worked really hard on developing my craft as one who preaches the Gospel. Pulpit ministry is tricky because there is a sense that you look for affirmation in the wrong places. You want people to like what you say, but, if you're preaching the subversive gospel...

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How Should Christians Respond to the Demise of Public Officials

Today in Detroit, former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, was found guilty and sent to prison. As a mayor he failed and did some horrific things. The evidence proved his guilt. Most of the response in my social network feeds is that of jubilation and mockery. Mostly by Christians. It seems that this kind of...

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Modeling and Engaging Faith is Better Than Separation and Isolation

We do things really weird at +The Antioch Movement.It's true.Really weird.For starters we include our children in everything we do. We place a high value on inclusion. The reason is simple, we believe that discipleship is the proper model of the spiritual growth of our children, and all people....

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We Must Change Our Thinking On Property

Photo Courtesy of Todd WallerThis week I was in a meeting with church leaders and civic leaders in our city. There are some amazing people and things happening in our town. There are people who have huge hearts and care deeply for the people of our city. I was impressed and thankful to be among them. There...

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The Beauty of Community

Today I had lunch with +Todd Waller and we talked about a range of things relating to the +The Antioch Movement and the +Evangelical Presbyterian Church. As I have reflected on our conversation I am struck by the beauty of community.Near the end of our conversation Todd shared...

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Unity Means Sharing Power

I finished reading the State of the Union. I always find them interesting. What I find most interesting is that the key word in every one that I can remember is "bipartisan".Last year was the year of "Lincoln" for me. I really enjoyed Team of Rivals and a few other things I read on him. What struck...

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Do You Have A Building? or Confessions of a Church Planter

Every time I talk with someone about +The Antioch Movement these are the questions that inevitably get asked in the first three minutes:Do you have a building?How many people are coming?These are really good questions because they show that the person cares deeply about me and wants me to...

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Showing Up Is Hard To Do

It's true. Showing up is really hard to do. That's why most of us don't. We typically do not show up because it is really hard to get up enough momentum to actually get there. There are always excuses that we can make and do make. But really those excuses are nothing more than the sad reality that we...

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40 Days of Change and Transition

Physical Representation of TransitionThe last 40 days in the life of my family have been adventurous. We have listed a house, sold a house, rented a town-home, moved out of a house, moved most of our stuff into storage, moved the rest into a town-home, our kids switched schools, and we are now living...

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