We have a saying at our house: “Family first!” It’s the Leno way of declaring our devotion and loyalty to one another. But I recently read a verse that presses even deeper than our strongest family instincts. Jesus’ mother and brothers came looking for Him one day, but the crowd was so thick they couldn’t get near. Someone told Him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word o

Almost a decade ago Karl Vaters wrote an article about people leaving the church. What are people looking for in a church, and why do...

Matthew records “The Great Commission” at the end of his gospel (Matthew 28:16-20).  They were some of the last words that Jesus spoke to...

Brown Beaver, Riki Tiki Tavi, Ricardo Montalban, Ricky, Richard, even Richard Harris Thomas. He answers to all these names. But not...

On December 2, 2012, Spanish athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running...

I was glued to my seat as David Kinnaman spoke to the audience of pastor-care advocates. The President of the Barna Group, a leading...

Legacy  is a weighty word.   The best definition the online dictionary gives for legacy  is “the long-lasting impact of particular...

Most of our churches changed significantly due to the Covid pandemic. It seemed like everything shifted overnight for us. One Sunday...

I found myself embroiled in a heated discussion recently about the role of elders in the local church. My friend was adamant: “Elders...

In a recent sermon I disclosed something that made people wince. “For the first five years of my pastoral ministry in a small church in...