Clear and Memorable Preaching: Why every great sermon starts with one clear sentence
There is a desperate need for clear communication in the pulpit. "In a survey involving 2,500 people at multiple churches, less than 15 minutes after a sermon, 72% of the people leaving a speech or
Could Your Empty Classrooms Be the Next Mission Field? How the LUOA Affiliate Program Is Turning Church Buildings Into Christ-Centered Schools
Walk through most churches on a Tuesday afternoon and you'll find the same thing: rows of empty classrooms. Sunday School rooms, fellowship halls, gyms — spaces filled with life for an hour or two a
From Two Missionaries to More Than Three Hundred
The Asian Baptist Clearinghouse (ABC) is experiencing remarkable growth. What began with only two missionaries now serves more than 300 missionary units in 60 countries. The story of that growth is a testimony to God's
The Phone Call that Reminded Me: The Importance of a Nursing Home Ministry
A 90-year-old woman shared a request with the activities director at a local nursing home. It wasn't for a blanket or a family visit. She told him she needed a pastor. She had heard the
Building a Root System: A Guide to Implementing Bible Reading in Your Student Ministry
Let's play a game! How 'bout a good, ole, trusty classic? Two Truths and a Lie. I'll give three statements,
Pruning, Purging, and Transplanting
My wife Carol has a green thumb. The joke around our house is that my daughters kill their house plants,
Train People Before You Need Them
There is only so much one person can do. That is not false humility; it is arithmetic. You can preach,
Before the Fire Gets Hot
There's a lesson I learned the hard way as a kid — one that involved rubbing alcohol, matches, and a
Build Momentum with a Simple Social Media Plan: Turning one Sunday sermon into a full week of gospel-centered content
Have you ever looked at social media and wondered, “How can our church possibly stand out when there is so
Gospel Hospitality: Welcoming Summer Visitors with Spiritual Discernment
Our family pulled into the parking lot of a small church in Tennessee on a Sunday evening. While vacationing and
Stop Blaming Your Goals — Fix Your Systems
A word for ministry leaders who are tired of running hard and falling short. About three weeks ago, I walked
Your Greatest Ministry Resource
After more than 50 years of working with children, serving in churches, training volunteers, conducting Kidz Storms, teaching college courses,
How to Lead Well When Half Your Volunteers Are on Summer Vacation
It happens every June without fail. You send out the volunteer schedule. You get back a flood of “Out of
Greater Love: How Memorial Day Can Open the Door to the Gospel
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 Jesus
Backyard Mission Field: Summer Outreach Ideas That Don’t Require a Budget
Every summer, churches load up vans, book flights, and send teams across the country — or across the world —
The Burnout Signs Nobody Warned Me About
I thought I knew what burnout looked like. I thought it looked like someone quitting. Crying in the parking lot.
Born Again?: The Most Important Conversation of Your Life. 2 Important Questions.
What is the most important conversation you have ever had? I can think of a few that stand out in
Fuel the Call: 10 Health Habits That Keep Ministry Leaders Sharp and Strong
You didn't get into ministry to coast. You got in because the work matters — the preaching, the counseling, the
Don’t Miss the Boat: Why Every Church Needs a Veteran Ministry
There are nearly 18 million veterans in the United States — and a significant number of them live within driving
Beyond Programs: Jesus’ Real-World Approach to Discipleship
What Modern Ministry Can Learn from the Master Teacher If you had to disciple twelve people for three years, how
Missionary Resilience: Strengthening the Roles That Keep Us on the Field
Missionary resilience has become one of the most urgent issues in global missions — and the numbers don't lie. For
The 5-Minute Weekly Email Your Congregation Will Actually Open
Let's be honest: most church emails go straight to the digital trash bin. You spend an hour crafting the perfect
Don’t Hibernate Your Ministry: 5 Reasons Winter Is Prime Time for Outreach
When the temperature drops and the days get shorter, it's tempting for churches to shift into hibernation mode. Attendance dips, energy wanes,
On the Mission Field with the Pratts to Calgary
A Story of Gospel Growth in Calgary, Alberta Recently, Karen and I had the privilege of visiting Steve and Laura
Rhythm Isn’t Just Repetition: Finding Fresh Purpose in Familiar Ministry Patterns
The calendar's open on your desk. It's January 2026, and you're looking at another year of ministry. VBS in June.