So this past weekend I found myself running a little experiment. Two of my high schoolers were at a mall as part of an evangelism program. The goal was simple. Help them get more comfortable starting conversations, noticing people, and being open about their faith in a natural way. They weren’t following anything overly scripted,…

Picture this: You’re sitting in your office after a Sunday that looked “fine” on the outside. The service ran smoothly. People smiled, shook your hand, maybe even said, “Great message, pastor.” But something doesn’t sit right. You can’t quite name it, but you feel it. Attendance has plateaued… or maybe it’s slowly drifting down. Your…

Lately I’ve caught myself doing something I don’t usually do for very long. I’ll scroll a little more than I should, read a few more headlines than I need, listen to a couple conversations, and walk away with the same lingering thought. Something feels off. Not just tense, but different. Louder. More chaotic. Harder to…

Hey Pastor, As a pastor, I feel the pressure that the Easter can bring. It feels like the Superbowl of the church world, and you are carrying the pressure of the starting quarterback. That is a weight that can feel all too heavy at times. I just wanted to take a moment to say something…

Perspective is a funny thing. Sometimes it shows up when you are looking for it. Other times it shows up when you least expect it. In our work at Keenly, there are a few themes that come up over and over again. If I had to narrow it down, I would say three words that…

You ever have those weeks where you’re just absolutely running on empty? Like no amount of caffeine is fixing it, your to-do list keeps growing, and somehow you’re still saying yes to everything even though you’re exhausted. Before you brush it off as “just a busy season,” I want you to do a quick little…

Do you want to know what drives my wife crazy??? When I check my emails in the evenings, pulling out my phone and open my email app, when I should be paying attention to my family. Can you relate? We often work when we should be resting, and over time, that pattern takes a toll.…

I have been blessed to serve in a church that has intentionally pursued partnerships with other churches, nonprofit organizations, and local community agencies in order to more effectively identify and meet real needs within our city. Through these partnerships, we have learned that meaningful ministry often happens when we recognize both our calling and our…

This is technically take two. Not of writing, but of thinking out loud. What you’re reading started as a voice recording during my drive from Grand Canyon University to my Thursday night college group. I got out of class early, my brain was full, and I decided to do what my dad always tells me…

I’ve been thinking lately about two imaginary restaurant owners. Not because I’m particularly interested in food, but because the contrast between them feels like a mirror for the way many churches approach ministry. The first restaurant owner had a clear and admirable goal. He wanted to make great food. Truly great food. The kind of…