Category: The Church

We planted a church

We planted a church

It’s been over four months since I wrote a new blog post, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you why for almost as long. Here’s the short version: God called us to plant a new church, in the midst of a pandemic. He provided the idea, the structure, the people, and the building. We literally planned none of it. Here’s the slightly longer version: On May 26th I woke up at about 2 a.m., my mind

Brave enough to ask: Can I pray with you?

praying together

Today my boss offered to pray with me. She knew I was nervous about a big webinar I was about to present to 65 local business leaders and she offered to pray with me. And it’s not what she prayed, or how important this project felt to both of us that matters, it’s that she was brave enough to offer. Because I think so often we don’t. Especially in the workplace. We’re worried about offending others, or making them uncomfortable,

Truth, not cliches

woman reading Bible in field

I have a problem. Or maybe I should say I have a concern. My concern is the reputation that Christianity and Christians have  — from both non-believers and those who have left the church, but still believe in God. Folks, it’s not great. I have been told or read the following statements: “Christians are all just a bunch of hypocrites.” “I believe in God, but not religion. The church just wants to judge everyone.” “I don’t need Christianity, I can

Is there a reason for everything?

Is there a reason for everything?

When I was in college at Appalachian State University, I was super involved with the campus Lutheran Student Association (LSA). It was the first group I joined when I got to school and in many ways the friends I met in that group were a life-line during those four years. They were my people and they helped me get closer to Jesus. I loved being a part of the group and the larger church community that supported them. Each year

Listen up men of the church: This is how we eradicate sexual discrimination and abuse

Listen up men of the church: This is how we eradicate sexual discrimination and abuse

When I was 11 years old I remember hanging out in the arcade at the bowling alley and two men came up to me, leaned in closer than I felt comfortable, and told me how beautiful I was. They offered to pay for my video games and then asked me for a kiss. When I was 13 years old I was molested by someone I trusted. Someone who was supposed to be a father figure to me. When I was

The Greatest Love Story of All Time

The Greatest Love Story of All Time

Who enjoys a good love story? I know I do. Whether it’s in a book or movie, I love the experience of watching a love story unfold, it just feels good to witness that love. When I think about some of the best love stories I’ve read or watched, there are a couple of things they have in common. And as it turns out there is actually a formula that authors and screen writers use to create the perfect love

I choose hope

I choose hope

It’s been a hard couple of weeks to be an American, to be a human, to be a Christian. Tragedy has struck families and communities in Michigan, Louisiana, and Dallas. Innocent people were terrorized in Bangladesh and nearly 300 lives lost in Baghdad at the hands of terrorists. And I know the list doesn’t end here. It’s easy to ask “why” and “how” when we read headlines and see videos of senseless tragedy, hate, anger and death. It paints a grim