Missional Church

A good picture of what the church has been and where it should be going.

For The Love of The Father

With Father's Day approaching and the privilege I have to preach on that day, I have been spending a good deal of time thinking about what it means to be a good father.  In my estimation, there is not greater task in life for the man with children, than to father them well.

I firmly believe that our view of God the Father is shaped in great measure by how we view our earthly father.  I for one want my children to have a healthy and right view of God. It is when we have a proper understanding of God and His love for us, that we desire to live a life that pleases and honor Him.

I will be opening my message with this video.





Not too long ago, I asked my 5 year old son what he wanted to be when he grew up.  I expected to hear answers along the lines of a firefighter, or even superhero.  What he answered with, humbled me.  He simply said ... you.   It brought back memories of this scene a year early as I was mowing the lawn and how he quickly got his little play mower to mow along side me.  My son wants to be like me.  It is my responsibility to model for him a life that honors God, so that He may do the same.

May it be our desire to emulate our Heavenly Father, because of the love He has for us.
May it be our desire to obey Him and live for Him, not out of duty, but rather out of the love we have for Him.
May we as parents reflect a loving Heavenly Father to our children in all that we do.


UPDATE:  Hear Father's Day message here.

Sometimes It Blows Up In Your Face

Student ministry has been my life calling.  It is what God has called me into, and I couldn't be more thankful.  What an awesome privilege it is to be used of God to be a part of a person's spiritual journey, especially at such an important stage of life as adolescence.

Not everyone understands why I do what I do, and for as long as I have done it.  I have been working with students for over 20 years and I still get a charge out of a good water balloon fight with them.

One thing I love about student ministry is the privilege it is to belong to a tribe of other youth workers who feel the same calling and, well ... just get it.  A group of people that understand the value of giving of one's life to the task of coming along side teenagers and leading them into a relationship with the God that created them and loves them more than they know.

Each year Youth Specialities opens their doors to my tribe.  The National Youth Workers Convention is a time for thousands of youth workers to get together to be refreshed, recharged, challenged, and encouraged.  Read my thoughts and experiences at past conventions here.

I love the promo video produced for this year's convention.  It's a great picture of what I do, but even more the power of what happens when others get it.  Sometimes it just blows up in your face!