Safe equals protection. Safe equals a longer life. Safe equals stability. Safe equals existing These are all wonderful things. The problem with safe is you lose… Risk. Failure. Redemption. Revival. I know many would argue that you see those within safety… But you don’t. So this week… As you program your services… Ad you plan your set lists… As you write your blogs… As you plan that strategy… As you have that meeting… As you play with your kids… Risk…Fail…Redeem…Revive…Live Los Read more.

Over the weekend Iran strapped this monkey into a rocket and sent it into space. They wanted to see if the monkey survived before they tried it out on themselves. That monkey looks mortified. Sometimes when I’m on a church stage, I see the exact same look on peoples faces in the crowd. It’s because many times we take a really bad idea, and instead of doing the work to really find out if Read more.

How many of your churches still have some sort of Sunday School for adults? Man. With my schedule… I’d love to crank it all out on a Sunday morning. What about you? Los Read more.

Yesterday millions of people stood in rows and sang songs. Yesterday millions of people sat in rows and listened to a person talk about God. Yesterday millions of people left a building and went back home. Today millions of people are waiting to see if “going to church” worked. Today millions of people are going to be severely disappointed. Today millions of people need to see that church wasn’t yesterday and it wasn’t in a Read more.

[This post is much better read while drinking something warm and listening to Varúð by Sigur Rós] There once was a boy named IMAGINE. He lived in a city called EXIST. It was an amazing city. Full of playful wonder, bright colors, surrounded majestic mountains and bright blue skies. IMAGINE loved it. His parents were loving and kind. They poured into IMAGINE hopes and dreams and gave him toys and books that set his heart Read more.

I have never been involved in a “church split”. I have never been part of an unhealthy church. I honestly haven’t. I am usually the thing that makes the church unhealthy. I’ve been blessed. But some people have not. And whenever these people tell of their stories they almost always get criticized for “church bashing”. That’s like telling someone that their wounds are not real and to ignore the abuser. I think with right motives and pure hearts it is actually helpful for people to hear stories of Read more.

Religion wants you to spend your hours planning what Sunday will look like. Revival wants you to spend your hours DOING what can’t be done on Sundays which is BEING with those who won’t show up on Sunday. Religion wants you to spend hours building a platform so that you can lead thousands to Jesus. Revival wants you to spend hours leading one to Jesus. Religion wants you to research what Cool Church X Read more.

1.  I do it all the time.  And addressing “haters” that you or your ministry have does nothing more than refuel and celebrate your those who are opposed to you. 2.  Being jealous of someone else’s ministry does 2 things. a.  It shows God you are unthankful for the ministry He has for you. b.  It shows the people you minister to that there are others more valuable to minister to than them. 3.  God isn’t going to be as pleased by your amazing Read more.

[From the movie Salvation Blvd.] Billboards with pictures of the senior pastor. Worship leaders who pay more attention to their Sunday sets than their daily spouse. (Raises hand) Mothers who look at their style of parenting as superior than others. Church staff who look with pity at “smaller churches” These are the norm in our society. And they are laced with Pride. Sometimes accidental. Pride is such a hard thing to stray away from as Christians. Because we are Read more.

People that whistle in public used to drive me crazy. Absolutely crazy. You know why? Because they had more joy than I did. Now I stop and talk to every single one of them. Why? Because they are infused with joy. They are. Now that I have talked to enough of them I skip straight to the punch. “‘Scuse me sir, (or ma’am) where can I get the joy that you seem to possess?” I’ve heard various answers… Hot Yoga. Good Coffee. Had sex with my wife this morning. But I would Read more.