Hat tip to Todd Rhoades on this one, per usual Todd is always a great source.

I am not a fan of Driscoll, but I do respect him. And I think he is doing incredible things on behalf of the Kingdom.

In this short video he points out some obvious things in terms of keeping our priorities in order and actionable steps behind the statements. Appreciate the aspect of having the humility to ask those around us if we are making them a priority.

Beyond spouse, family, and core group of friends; what would it look like if we asked our staffs and fellow pastors if they felt like a priority? Not in a needy or unhealthy way but for those we lead and lead with are we pouring into them as we should?

First some context provided by Jay Bakker and Tony Jones, two open and affirming pastors/theologians.

Also this is a longer 20 minute video, worth your time but in the last 5 you will see Bell call it B.S. and some tension boil over.

Bell is tired and probably has sat through countless other interviews like this since Love Wins and What We Talk About When We Talk About God came out. I can’t imagine just constantly being attacked at the level with that frequency.

I’m sharing this video not to take a side (in fact I think there are two distinct conversations going on that aren’t resolved) but to give a glimpse into what comes with notoriety.

My great dream used to be to lead a very large, very influential church. And my guess is that some of you have had or do have similar dreams.

That goal was of course clouded with pride and arrogance with a dash of Gospel.

I’ve repented of that notion and wouldn’t even take an interview at the type or size of church I thought would want to lead. Regardless of theological persuasion would you really want to deal with what Bell or Warren or Driscoll have to deal with on a constant basis?

But we also see what happens when experience criticism to the point that we have had enough. The difference is that Bell is always being watched. This is a radio interview in the UK that without web 2.0 you or I would never see it.

As for the debate itself.

Wilson is trying to get at the heart of this conversation and Bell’s shift on it. Has the shift occurred because of larger cultural shifts? Or has it happened because of a new understanding or interpretation of Scripture?

The question is never really resolved, but it appears that Bell is taking the latter.

All in all a very interesting conversation and one that gives us a glimpse into the lives of those pastors and leaders with big platforms that we all (used) to envy.

The damage in Moore, OK and elsewhere is overwhelming. As it was in Joplin, Bangladesh, Port-au-Prince, and countless others places that experienced tragedy on such a massive scale.

Encouraged that the death toll was reduced and that so many were pulled from rubble. Such encouragement doesn’t do much for those grieving.

The time lapsed helicopter footage:

How you can help the victims and prepare to help in the future.

You can read the entire series here.

Well of course this is where I ended up. And you can make all the fun you want, but I really was more productive at Starbucks or at coffee shop than anywhere else.

See I need(ed) a routine.

If I were to wake up in the morning without a plan, I’m not going to be productive. So even if I didn’t have anything pressing to do when I sat down with a tall coffee (I’m on a budget) it was helpful for me to get out and get to work.

It also begins to connect you with people outside of the church bubble.

Now sure you still have to talk to them, but a little community forms among the coffee shop workers. We’ll watch your stuff while you take a call outside or run to the bathroom and we will open up an outlet if our battery’s full; it is this weird work space community that forms.

Seeing as how I often have a Bible or church book out on the table conversations are started that I probably wouldn’t otherwise have with these strangers.

It’s also a place with some built in accountability. When someone can see your screen do you really want them to see you spending hours on Facebook?

So if you are an unemployed pastor, don’t let that stop you from going to work and finding people to minister to.

You can follow along with the entire series here.

Church is a funny thing, and pastors even odder.

We all know that we shouldn’t make following Jesus about an hour on Sunday, event, or program; but we aren’t exactly sure how else to do it.

Well maybe we do know how to do it, it is the execution that gets in the way.

Libraries of books have been written dissecting and trying to solve the issue of creating attenders and not disciples. And to be perfectly honest I don’t have a solid solution either.

So as I came out of a position and am moving into a new one I need(ed) to detox a bit.

Its an issue we all run into. Spend too much time in the bubble and you forget what life is like outside of the bubble. So like an addict you have to go through some detox.

You catch yourself in a moment of Saturday night panic as you forget that you aren’t preaching in the morning, hoping someone shows up to help, or that an element isn’t a total failure. Or Sunday morning you don’t know what to do with yourself. There is no Monday email avalanche to deal with.

Continue Reading…

You can follow the entire blog series here.

I miss spiritual leadership.

We were having our weekly Saturday conversation about where we were going to church the next morning and my wife asked me what I missed.

Heidy misses worshipping with other believers, particularly through music. I enjoy a good group sing as much as the next person but that isn’t the thing I miss the most. For her she feels incomplete without worship, I feel incomplete not leading people that I’m in relationship with.

I don’t miss preaching. I get to communicate in other ways.

I don’t miss preparing for events or services. Although Easter this year was weird.

I don’t miss serving with other leaders. This surprised me a bit.

I miss spiritual leadership.

The idea of being connected with someone, through a friendship or some sort of community environment and having the permission to speak into their lives. Maybe this is a cop out because this happens through preaching, but also in unplanned conversations, crisis moments, pastoral care, small groups, and intentional time together.

My advice to you would be to try and figure out what you would miss if you suddenly without the community you lead in.? What would be the thing or activity that gives you life?

Once you have an idea on this start figuring out how you can lean into that aspect more.

For me as I think and plan for the next chapter of ministry this isn’t about becoming the extrovert I’m not, but about building trust and speaking from experience and brokenness.

So if you were like me and suddenly unemployed, what would you miss?