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I'm excited to be headed back to Phoenix on Saturday, January 12th.  It will be a great time away with Bethany for a few days.  The purpose of the trip will be to visit my friends at Axiom Church in Peoria, AZ.  My church led a family mission trip during Spring Break a few years ago to Axiom and I'm looking forward to seeing them again and worshipping together.  I will also lead a workshop at Axiom called "Pass It On: Discipling Children" in the evening on Sunday. In addition to my time at Axiom, we will also be attending the USMB The Bible and Women in Ministry Study Conference January 14-16.  Check back here for quotes from speakers and thoughts from attendees.  If you want to stay connected to what is going on at the study conference, use the hashtag #usmbstudyconf

For the rest of 2018 and a little of 2019, I will be sharing books I recommend because they are some of my favorites.  New Book Friday will resume later in January. Enjoy!

I love to teach!  One of the things I missed most during the last 3 months while I was preaching was teaching an adult class during Go Deeper Hour (Sunday School).  I believe every person needs an opportunity to not just listen to a preacher or teacher, but to also process what they are learning in their head, heart, and hands.  This is why I am a firm believer in Sunday School and small groups.  Both of these provide people the opportunity to ask questions as well as process what they are hearing and thinking. SO, let me encourage every person--child, youth and adult to join a Go Deeper Hour Class if you attend Hesston MB.  But also want to encourage you no matter where you go to church, find a Sunday School class or Small group to join and participate in.  If you don't like the one you attend, try another class.  Don't just give up!   It is important for you. For the next year, the class I lead will be going through 2 books together as well ...

This summer on Wednesday nights from 7-8 p.m., we will be reading through and discussing a book together at Hesston MB.  The community is invited and snacks will be served. Our first night together will be June 6. The book we are using is by Alvin Reid and is called Sharing Jesus Without Freaking Out. It is a great book.  Here are the chapter titles: Spread the Word: Don't Overcomplicate It God is Not Mad At You: Understanding the Message It's Easier than You Think: Conversations, Not Presentations It's Not in Your Power, yet You Are Vital Ignition and Transition: Conversation Starters and Signposts Let Them Help You: Start with Them and They Will Point to the Gospel Talk, but with More than Words Make Friends, Not Visits: Developing a Plan If you have questions, let me know.  I hope to see on Wednesday nights this summer!

As we prepare to enter the Advent Season and move toward Christmas, I would like to share resources that have been helpful for my family during the holidays.  As always, they are available at your local Christian bookstore and if you are near Wichita, go to my favorite one, Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton.  You can order online here This resource might only be available online.

As we prepare to enter the Advent Season and move toward Christmas, I would like to share resources that have been helpful for my family during the holidays.  As always, they are available at your local Christian bookstore and if you are near Wichita, go to my favorite one, Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton.  You can order online here

As we prepare to enter the Advent Season and move toward Christmas, I would like to share resources that have been helpful for my family during the holidays.  As always, they are available at your local Christian bookstore and if you are near Wichita, go to my favorite one, Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton.  You can order online here

As we prepare to enter the Advent Season and move toward Christmas, I would like to share resources that have been helpful for my family during the holidays.  I know it is not Thanksgiving yet, but I have to talk about these prior to Advent or people won't have time to get them.  As always, they are available at your local Christian bookstore and if you are near Wichita, go to my favorite one, Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton.  You can order online here

As we prepare to enter the Advent Season and move toward Christmas, I would like to share resources that have been helpful for my family during the holidays.  I know it is not Thanksgiving yet, but I have to talk about these prior to Advent or people won't have time to get them.  As always, they are available at your local Christian bookstore and if you are near Wichita, go to my favorite one, Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton.  You can order online here

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. The next few weeks, I will be sharing catechisms or confessions that have been helpful to me. Below is the Nicene Creed: We believe in one God,       the Father almighty,       maker of heaven and earth,       of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ,       the only Son of God,       begotten from the Father before all ages,            God from God,            Light from Light,            true God from true God,       begotten, not made;   ...

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. The next few weeks, I will be sharing catechisms or confessions that have been helpful to me. Below is the Apostles' Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. The next few weeks, I will be sharing catechisms or confessions that have been helpful to me.

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. The next few weeks, I will be sharing catechisms or confessions that have been helpful to me.

We, as pastors, are reading through DiscipleShift again.  Here are some quotes from the introduction and first two chapters: First comes philosophy. Second comes practical adaptation. (Know the "why" before you figure out the "how.") Focus=biblical discipleship; Methodology=relational environments The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit to the glory of God the Father. Simply put, a church exists to make disciples who make disciples. And the primary methodology is Christlike love expressed in life-on-life relationship. Yet as difficult as the journey may be, people who follow Jesus are also given important promises. We think that God's grace covered us up to the point of salvation and somehow we must now get it right to continue as Jesus' disciple. Far too many of us assume that discipleship is merely the transfer of information leading to behavior modification. But discipleship, at heart, in...

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. We, as pastors, have learned a great deal from DiscipleShift by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington.  It has shaped a lot of our discussion about discipleship and even how we define a disciple.  We talk a lot about head, heart and hands and this concept was introduced to us in this book.  If you have struggled with the tension between evangelism and discipleship, this book is a great resource. Tomorrow I will share some quotes from the first few chapters of the book because we as pastors are going through the book again.

It’s that time of year when the spooky takes over. We, as Americans, like to be scared based on the number of haunted houses around. Or notice the number of movies or TV shows out now that seek to freak us out or get us to scream. Churches have responded to this phenomenon by offering alternatives such as Trunk or Treat, Harvest Festivals, and the popular Judgment House This post which was originally published at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting in October 2016  is not a critique if you decide to attend a Judgment House. I attended a Judgment House while we lived in Colorado but have not attended one where I currently live in Kansas. They are scripted well, have talented actors and actresses, elaborate sets, and are backed with results. However, over the years, I have become more critical of them. Here are my thoughts: Fear should not be a motivation for salvation . Has the fear of hell forced a decision? Proponents of Judgment House will say look at all of these people w...

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. We used this resource this past year in our Go Deeper Hour with adults. This book prompted great discussions on a variety of topics.  Sauls has a free study guide available that goes along with the book.  Many in my class commented how it challenged them to think more deeply about difficult topics facing the church and culture.

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. We used this resource this past year in our Go Deeper Hour with adults.  It has a DVD to go along with the book.  Matt does a great job of telling stories and how they relate to the Christian life.  I highly recommend this for your small group or Sunday School class.  I wish we would have had more time to spend on this book as it has so many great truths.

If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday.  I am excited that the author of this book will be sharing about it at Hesston MB (610 W. Randall) on Saturday, October 7th from 6-8 p.m.  Join us if you live in the area.  The event is free and open to the public.  Elyse Fitzpatrick is one of my favorite authors and speakers and this book on the incarnation and our union with Christ is a great resource for discipleship.