“So…was Ravi Zacharias really a Christian?” The young staff member and I sat at a table filled with boneless wings, wedge salads, and leaders of our church. Her eyes were wide with saddened incredulity. Could it be possible that one of the most famed Christian apologists of the last century was, in fact, not a true […]
Hypocrisy, Division & Riots at the Capitol
The divide is vast. The hypocrisy is thick. The church of Jesus must rise above. Last week, as self-proclaimed Patriots stormed our nations capital in undeniably heinous anarchy, I witnessed progressive Christian friends and left-leaning church leaders point fingers across the aisle not only at Donald Trump but at anyone who had the nerve to […]
“O Tidings of Criticism & Unmet Expectations”: A word from, about, and for Pastors
“Criticisms against pastors have increased significantly. One pastor recently shared with me the number of criticisms he receives are five times greater than the pre-pandemic era. Church members are worried. Church members are weary. And the most convenient target for their angst is their pastor.” This declaration, which – after a bizarre week of ministry – […]
Courage in a Time of War
The solider cowers under the bridge of his helmet and the barrage of heavy gunfire. The foxhole provides, at least for the moment, an asylum. Anxiously his fingers trace the stock of his rifle, rise to scratch his whiskered cheeks, and descend again to drum the trigger guard. Unconsciously this routine plays forward again and […]
When Emotions Rise and Words Fail
I have been asked numerous times since Wednesday for my thoughts concerning #GeorgeFloyd. I am aware that even straightforward speech can be misinterpreted and misconstrued so I tread carefully. I grew up in the dirty south, in one of the most racially-charged counties in America. I saw bigotry in church circles and school settings from […]
The End of the World as We Know it?
“Are we living at the end of time?” This inquiry has been posed to me at various points throughout my ministry but perhaps never more so than in the past month. With citizens hiding, businesses shuttering, and toilet paper disappearing at perplexing rates, it’s a totally legitimate question. I have attempted to answer those who […]