Taking the long view

We’ve all heard the expression, “We overestimate what we can do in one year and significantly underestimate what can be accomplished in three years.” We tend to be overly ambitious for what can happen in a year. We raise expectations– our own and those of...

A mission-shaped church?

  I have a new pen-pal: Christian Schwarz in Germany of Natural Church Development International. We’ve been writing back and forth lately discussing the relationship between NCD and the missional movement.  Christian’s definition of a healthy church includes it...

The 3 colors of love

One of my favorites of Christian Schwarz’s books is The 3 Colors of Love. In this volume of his 3 colors series he looks at how to evaluate your growth in the fruit of the Spirit. With solid biblical exegesis, he traces the word love throughout scripture to...

Intentional Neglect

I recently received this birthday greeting on Facebook from my friend Christian Schwarz: “Happy birthday! Let this year become your most focused ever, full of courage for intentional neglect to get even more powerful & empowering than before.”  It felt like a word...
The Three Colors of Leadership

The Three Colors of Leadership

God uses “special” people. Jacob was a cheater; Peter had a temper; David had an affair; Noah got drunk; Jonah ran from God; Paul was a murderer; Gideon was insecure; Miriam was a gossiper; Martha was a worrier; Thomas was a doubter; Sara was impatient; Elijah was...