One of the most quoted Scriptures in the Church has been known as “The Great Commission.” It is found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And […]

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said […]

We have completed our info sessions for Mosaic Church. It has been great getting to know everyone, spanning the five campuses of Ginghamsburg and Christ Church, who is excited about Mosaic. What many people don’t know is that Pastor Wayne and I had intercessory prayer partners that were willing to pray for months before this […]

For centuries, Christians have marked the start of the holy season of Lent by receiving ashen crosses smudged on their foreheads with a palm leaf. This cross of ashes serves as a reminder of mortal failings and as an invitation to receive God’s forgiveness. This tradition might strike people in a couple ways. For those […]

In the United States and around the world, immigration and the welcoming of refugees continue to be among the most controversial issues. Domestically, debates about policy have divided our lawmakers, our judicial system, and even our churches. Refugees continue to seek out a safe place for their families away from the conflict, drought, and turmoil […]

It’s a new year and I’ll be wearing an additional hat for 2017. Thirteen months ago, I was driving with Wayne Botkin, a good friend of mine, from a church planting meeting at Vineyard Church in Columbus. Wayne is a campus pastor at Christ Church who received his call to ministry at Ginghamsburg in the […]

Cold today, but warmth is coming… With Christmas just two weeks away, in the middle of Advent, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the shopping season. We’ve heard the stories, the ones that make us shake our heads, about shoppers armed with pepper spray and tasers, confrontations in the […]

Having just written a book about some practical ways churches can grow their finances and stretch their dollars to provide greater outreach than ever before, I’ve encountered countless examples of other faith communities stretching their own “fish and loaves” to better disciple and minister in their towns and cities. One example that isn’t always an […]

Grants are often a mystery to pastors and are overlooked as a potential funding source for new projects or programs that line up with vision and mission. But many churches have benefited from grants, and your congregation can, too. This is a great resource for understanding your church’s tax-exempt status: http://grantspace.org/tools/knowledge-base/Funding-Resources/Foundations/faith-based Take a local class […]

A growing number of churches are discovering that their most effective partnerships, the best way to increase their outreach without increasing their budgets, is through church mergers. Sometimes this is the last thing a pastor or a congregation wants to consider. It can feel like it threatens our identity or betrays our church’s history. Yet, […]