Hands down “STORY” is one of the most creative, challenging and all around most exciting conferences out there. The theme for 2011 is IMAGINE NATION which speaks to the power of spiritual imagination. In Exodus 35, the artist of Israel came together to build a dwelling place for God. They carved poles, fashioned gold, and [...]

If you know anything about me or my ministry you know I have a real desire for the church to work together instead of tearing one another apart. I’m done with the finger pointing and cheap shots. However, if there is ever going to be unity we do need to be aware of the issues [...]

I’m having a hard time gathering my thoughts this morning for a decent blog post so I’ve decided to just emotionally throw up on you. Here’s what’s rattling around in my mind this morning. Saw a special screening of the movie “Machine Gun Preacher” based on the real life story of missionary Sam Childers. Wow! [...]

I’ve been in one of those seasons where I feel God is teaching me so many things about church leadership, and leadership in general for that matter. My most recent lesson has to do with decisions. I’ve always thought a strong leader was a leader who could make a fast and informed decision about anything [...]

I was reminded the other day of something I had read in The Shattered Lantern by Ronald Rolheiser. He said… The original sin of Adam and Eve, the prototype of all sin, is presented as a failure to be receptive and grateful. Just think about it for a second. God creates Adam and Eve and [...]

When we first started a church in Nashville I had people repeatedly tell me that local artists, especially Christian artists, would be too stuck up and cynical  to ever serve inside the church. People said, “They might attend from time to time but they’re too busy doing their own thing to contribute to the church.” [...]

I was talking with a friend recently who reminded me of the quote from Michelangelo that says, “Criticize by creating.”  If you know me at all you know I’m passionate about the church changing the world.  At times I’ve been called naive about this matter, but I really do believe it’s possible. However, I think [...]

There are a lot of enemies to community out there, but maybe none greater than the consumer mentality. Skye Jethani has a new book coming out soon entitled With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. In the book he says, Consumerism is a supremely narcissistic worldview in which everything’s value is determined by it’s [...]

I had the opportunity to meet Ian Cron a few years ago through some mutual friends. I instantly knew the new friendship was an amazing gift to my life. Every wanna be writer should be so lucky to have a writer as gifted as Ian in their life. I don’t read a lot of fiction [...]

So, yesterday we started filming the footage for the video curriculum for my next book, Empty Promises. The book doesn’t come out until next Spring, but the videos and the participants guides will come out at the same time so we’re in full production mode.     We’ll be working hard shooting through late Friday [...]