Categories
Discipleship Evangelism

The Big Three

I had the privilege of speaking to the fine folks I’m honored to Pastor Sunday, March 15, 2015 about salvation!  What a novel idea!  For a Pastor of a church to encourage and challenge the congregation to be saved, get saved, and stay saved!  Do churches still do that? Anyways, I felt convicted that I […]

Categories
Ministry

Messy Church

Here’s the deal, I might have been born at day, but I wasn’t born yesterday.  I was “that kid” whose whole life revolved around the church.  I went to a Christian school…that was in the basement of the church.  I played basketball almost every day of the week in a gym…that was located on the church […]

Categories
Student Ministry

Want To Keep Students In The Church?

Someone sent this blog post to me yesterday and I really felt compelled to share it.  I do not know this individual personally, and therefore cannot vouch for his Theology, however I will highlight the author’s main points (visit Jon Nielson’s personal blog site here: http://blog.college-church.org/category/something-more-sure/). He suggests that the 3 critical components to keeping […]

Categories
Life

The Spectacular or The Small

Pardon the sports analogy, but big games, that are decided by a point or two, are usually remembered for the last second shot that was made, home run that was hit, field goal that was kicked, etc.  The spectacular play.  The spectacular finish.  It’s what dreams are made of.  It’s what we did as kids […]

Categories
Life

I Put The Nate In ProcrastiNATE

I  generally avoid making New Year’s Resolutions.  However, I will publicly go on record and declare that, at the first of NEXT year, I’m going to really get serious about some things.  Okay, I’m being a little sarcastic here, but why wait?  Why do we constantly put things off?  Why are we content with procrastinating? […]

Categories
Discipleship Leadership Life Personal Growth Student Ministry

Pace

To the best of my knowledge, I haven’t ran very many marathons.  But if I had, I think one of the keys to successfully running a marathon would be the pace one might choose.  Obviously, if you’re a Kenyan, and you frequently run and win marathons, your pace would be a little faster than say, […]

Categories
Discipleship Life Personal Growth

Pray It Forward

Last week, I drove through Starbuck’s to use the remaining balance of a gift card I had received for my birthday.  When I arrived at the window to pay, the barista informed me that the vehicle in front of me had paid for my items!  I gotta be honest with you, this is not the […]

Categories
Discipleship Leadership Life Personal Growth Student

Influence

When we think of influence, we instincivly  think of some highly charismatic, strong personality, motivated and driven leader.  Pause with me however today, and abandon your preconceived ideas of a person with influence.  As a career student pastor, I have noticed that leadership, and influence, comes in a wide range and variety of packages.  It […]

Categories
Administration Discipleship Leadership Life Ministry Personal Growth

Release The Brakes

Perhaps you live in a beautiful, warm tropical climate, which would make me a) very jealous of you, and b) highly suspicious that you’ll have any clue of what I’m attempting to illustrate.   Here in the midwest, we’ve been known to occasionally get a little snow.  It’s to the point now, where I don’t […]

Categories
Discipleship Leadership Life Ministry Personal Growth

Roots

Now here’s a deep subject.  Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one.  Perhaps it’s just me, but have you ever looked back into the days of yesteryear of your life, and been critical, ashamed, embarrassed, regretful of your past?   Your roots?  Maybe you’ve looked back with pride, perhaps your “roots” prompt a smile on your face, and bring […]