7 Reasons Why Gossip Is Poison

Gossip is poison! And I’ve noticed gossip is one of those things these days that is so common in relationships, in our conversations and in our cultural experience, that we hardly even notice it anymore. Let me show you how to stop gossip.

Let me start off by saying that I have gossiped…

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Gospel Tipping: Why Overtipping Should Be Our Norm

Is it just me or does it seem that more and more people are expecting to be tipped for their services these days? And at increasing rates.

When my wife Tina and I lived in Manhattan we had to actually plan to have cash on us in small denominations at all times because it was such a tipping culture. Why do some people get tipped extra money for doing their jobs and others do not? And how should we respond to that? And what about people who kinda stink at their job, but expect to be tipped anyway?

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Transform Your Small Group to Live as Good News

It’s happening. Churches are starting to shift their small groups to more mission-focused, incarnational communities. And many people I know are forming new “missional communities” among their family and friends. That is super encouraging!

But… Here’s the Problem:

Christians have spent years listening to sermons, studying theology and doing Bible studies, yet still feel intimidated or unable to naturally express the good news of the Gospel into normal life, conversations, and circumstances. We will never experience gospel-transformation and missional movement in our families and neighborhoods unless this changes.  (more…)

What Are the (new) Signs of a Healthy Church?

No one sets out to have or lead an unhealthy church or ministry. But we often find ourselves stuck in a loop of numbers and metrics we’ve inherited, or were imposed on us by the “higher-ups”. It would be great to have new signs of a healthy church.

The 3 Bs

For a long time now, churches have often or only measured three things I call the “3Bs”: Butts (attendance on Sunday); Building size; and Budgets. Are these the signs of a healthy church? Hmmm… I wonder how Jesus’ ministry career would measure up to these three benchmarks?

Click Here to Get my Free eGuide that includes: 10 Missional Benchmarks Test, Assessment & this Manuscript

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How to Pray for Your Child’s Future Spouse

To consistently pray for your kids seems obvious. To pray for your child’s future spouse may be less obvious, but is a privilege that carries with it some pretty awesome blessings.

Tina and I have prayed for our son and two daughters’ potential spouses since they were little, little kids. Now Caesar and Christin, our two oldest, are happily married to amazing people. In both cases we felt God’s favor on that person and their budding relationships right away. (Click Here to download my Parent’s Prayer Guide and get started.)
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Is The Church Guilty of False Advertising?

Why are so many people–more and more it seems–wanting little or nothing to do with a local church? And often just telling someone that you’re a Christian can be a deal-breaker. They seem to shy away or fear us.

Why is that? Are people rejecting the Church? Are they rejecting Jesus or the good news of the gospel? Maybe it’s not so much any of these and what’s really happening is that the Church is guilty of false advertising. (more…)

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