A few years back, Archbishop Duncan put words to what many of us had been seeing in our churches and seminaries. He said it plainly: Young leaders and spouses coming into the Anglican tradition of Christianity with a great love and zeal for the Lord and for His church. The impact of our rootless, post-modern…
Let’s Go There!
Many of you know the joy of faith-based travel. We have had a great time in some of the most significant places of faith on the globe. It has been a tremendous joy for Fran and I to take well over 600+ people to ‘far away places’ in the past decades. About a dozen years…
A Rector’s Preaching Summit
Over at LeaderWorks, I wrote a short blog about the preaching role of the Rector. Read it here. And buried in the last part of the article is a small link to a HUGE opportunity for Rectors of congregations. LeaderWorks and the American Anglican Council are sponsoring a “summit” at The Cove on December 3-6,…
Five Reasons Why You Should Focus on Your Pulpit
Anglicans love liturgy. This has always been true, but in the past couple of decades, I’ve seen more and more young clergy who are especially enamored with the formational impact of rightly ordered worship. I would imagine this phenomenon is due mostly to a generation of young priests drawn to the Anglican way from a…
Ten Reasons Why This Next Trip to the Holy Land is for You
In just a few weeks, the registration for the November Holy Land trip (November 12-21) will begin to close. Register quickly! If you have been thinking and praying about it…it is time to act. In the closing weeks of registration, I want to reiterate what makes this trip unique. Here are ten great reasons to…
A Visit to the Holy Land is Like Coming Home
Recently, when I was in Jerusalem, I was delighted to see so many familiar faces there as well: not only those who toured with me, but other clergy and friends who travelled for the GAFCON meeting. My social media feeds were stuffed with pictures of all the landmarks I’ve come to know so well over…
My Cement Taco
At the advanced age of 62, I bought my first truck. I didn’t really need a truck, I tried to tell myself, but having a truck is something no one really needs until you need it. And then you need it. So, to ward off any future problems like that, I bought one. I really…
Come Back Home
It was so exciting for me to see so many of my friends and colleagues enjoying the Holy City at the recent GAFCON event in Jerusalem. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were covered with images of some of my favorite people in some of my favorite places. I saw a friend sitting in the exact chair…
Payment from the Pews
In trying to help leaders do their work, we are often talking about how to work smarter, not harder. When it comes to leading a church, this can often be misleading. After all, much of ministry work is only possible through careful, difficult effort. Whether it’s pastoral care or sermon prep, shortcuts or hacks would…
Throwing a Cap Over the Wall
I am walking in the Land of Giants again. Israel. Yesterday we were atop Mt. Carmel where Elijah called out the prophets of Baal. Today we walk were the Apostle Paul walked, rather, stood in chains before his captors and played the only card he seemed to have left. After several years of captivity, Paul breaks the…
How to Write an Appeal Letter for Summer Mission Trips
Here they come! Support letters asking for prayer and/or financial support. For over 30 years I encouraged would-be missionaries to write them. But now I am starting to receive them. Heck! We all receive them…sometimes one a week. They seem to come in endless supply from friends, family, and other relatives. Appeals for support for…
Yanny vs. Laurel and Tongues of Fire
Lots of amazing things happened on the Day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2. Earth was overcome with Wind and Fire. Chaos ensued. Rushing. Falling. Power. Roaring. Speaking. Hearing. Wind. Fire. Pow! What a day. The promised Gift of the Holy Spirit did not come gently to soothe. He is NOT that kind of comforter. …
