Sometimes we love people close to us so much we forget to love them. I know. I’m guilty of it. When Jesus met Peter on the beach over brunch of broiled fish and a toasty fire, after that awkward “Do-I-know-you” head tilt move at Jesus in Pilate’s courtyard, he had only one question. He asked […]
Is Your Church Pointless?
Sometimes I think the church doesn’t realize it’s supposed to have a point. Like, what is the point, really? Friendship, community, love, encouragement, all those gushy answers sound nice, but only one really pulls it all together — to reach maturity in Christ. Colossians says to become “complete in Christ.” So for all you resolution junkies […]
Unhappy Holidays
Iridescent lights, red and green, glow on the tree. Presents overflow underneath it in bright, shiny wrapping. It’s Christmas Eve, and I’d broken the rules and snuck down to see the tree in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse. It’s beautiful. The strangest thing happened during the night, which sends goosebumps down […]
Every Man is a Pastor
There’s a calling on every man. Every one has a mission. But most men feel a quiet discontent in church, a stirring or restlessness, like they don’t quite belong. There’s a reason a man relishes his armchair on Sunday. During the afternoon game, he can analyze, strategize, cast vision, and coach. An exciting venue beckons him to […]
How To Witness Like an Atheist and Bring People to God
Witnessing like a Christian is overrated. I don’t think I can take that creepy God stare one more time. You know the one. That moment in every Christian movie when the old woman leans in for the God talk, her rate of blinking drops to sub-human levels, and she begins to look spiritual. Her gaze penetrates the audience (and our […]
Is Your Church Becoming Fake for Christ’s Sake?
There is an epidemic of fakeness in the church. Jesus said, “Judge a tree by its fruit.” James added, “I will show you my faith by my works.” We reveal our beliefs by our actions. So the things we most do are also the things we most believe. I can see your theology simply enough. You proclaim […]
Are You God’s Annoying Neighbor?
Sometimes our modern sensibilities are a bit off. You shuffle into the kitchen and flip on the light switch. Yawn. Shake a few lumps of coffee grounds into the pot instead of on the countertop this time. Cream cheese a bagel. Check your Instagram newsfeed. Pour a cup of hot brew. Kick off your slippers and slide into Toms, […]
Is Your Church Too Cool For Family?
Sometimes our attempts to be trendy, cool churches with the perfect Sunday morning experience backfire. I finished praying over dinner as a voice nearby chimed in. “That was a nice prayer.” I surveyed the table. The voice was a beautiful woman, late 30’s. Husband beamed across from her. Two girls, one teen, one younger — both friendly, polite. Nice family. A pastor friend of mine was walking by at the […]
Ch. 1: The Modern Day Church
Men don’t belong in church. As I sit in the cove of my back porch, watching the white pines sway and toss before me, gusts showering small, dart-like missiles in surging waves across my lawn, I huddle into my chair a little deeper. Wind howls through the trees as a siren begins to wail in […]
Ch. 2: Masculinity
If he says that one more time, I’m going over there. It was my junior year of high school. I was lounging in the back of Spanish I, while a sub covered for our teacher who was sick. Or had found something better to do than give 25 kids a verb conjugation quiz. The […]