More Than Words...

I recommend church leaders read this book .   McHugh offers numerous practical insights on how introverts can leverage their personality type to lead effectively.    He discusses the importance of paying attention to natural rhythms and managing energy, offering practical strategies and advice in Chapter 7.      He doesn't let introversion be an excuse for withdrawing from relationships or from loving people.   The role of community is described as 'healing' for the introvert, and he talks about two critical movements for the introverted leader:   Inward movement of accepting and working with the way we are wired   Outward movement towards community This book challenged my assumptions about the relationship between personality and leadership.  It helped me discover some of my strengths and how I can leverage them in my leadership role.  It also gave me some insight into some of my struggles as a...

I’ve come to realize that I’m something of an expert in one area of life.  I'm not being arrogant, it is just true and it’s not really something to brag about.   I am an expert in sinning.  I am a sinner.  I may not hold that title as my primary identity anymore, but I know what sinning is.  I’ve had plenty of practice, both in secret and in public, for all to see.  I sin.  I’m not proud of this, but let's be honest, I’ve sinned throughout my entire life, and so have you.   When I first believed in Jesus, I was just a little boy, only 5years old, which means that I have sinned in my life more as a Christian than a non-Christian.  Think about that for a moment, because you may have been a Christian for a long time, yet you still wrestle with sinful patterns and attitudes.    Welcome to the club.  As a sinner, I can tell you that sin is more than just breaking God’s law.   The root of all our sin begins in our...

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ ministry is often described as being centered around meals. As Robert Karris famously put it, "In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal." This simple observation uncovers a profound truth: Jesus chose the table as a primary context for kingdom ministry. His mission strategy wasn’t built around events, buildings, or platforms. It was built around meals. Jesus spent a lot of his time eating and drinking with people. His evangelism and discipleship were built around long conversations over grilled fish, loaves of bread, and wine. The rhythm of his ministry was deeply relational, immersive, and hospitable.  It was a strategy of presence, not performance. Consider the stories in Luke alone: Luke 5: Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners at the home of Levi. Luke 7: Jesus is anointed at the home of Simon the Pharisee during a meal. Luke 9: Jesus feeds the five thousand. Luke 10: Jesus eats in the home of M...

Jesus knew that the kingdom He was establishing would be so different from what people were accustomed to that He spent much of His ministry teaching about the Kingdom of God.  At times, He directly contrasted His kingdom with the ways of earthly kingdoms, as He does in Matthew 20:25-28. In this passage, Jesus explains to His disciples that the way authority is exercised in God’s kingdom is very different from the ways of earthly kingdoms.  Leadership in His kingdom is not about power and control but humility and service. The kingdoms of this world rely on power, force, wealth, and hierarchy. Success and greatness in leadership are seen as climbing up the ladder to a position of status where one can give executive orders from the top and enforce change on those below to control outcomes and make things happen. But Jesus tells His followers, “Not so with you.” God’s kingdom operates differently, and He points to Himself as the example.   So, how does Jesus exerci...

  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.   2Timothy 2:15   We live in confusing times.  In our society, we are daily bombarded with information that claims to be accurate through television, radio, the internet, billboards, newspapers, magazines and more.  Throw in some misinformation and a few conspiracy theories and the 'information overload' is not only overwhelming but down right confusing.  The popular notion that truth is subjective, fluid, and ever-changing from situation to situation is an attractive concept when we are faced with so many claims of 'truth'.   Simply put, most people choose their truth from a buffet of 'true' claims that are often in stark contradiction of each other.  It is in the middle of this chaos that the followers of Jesus preach Jesus' claim that he is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:...