As a leader, I currently have about five typed pages of ideas for our church community, ministries, and even the building. Every time I think of something that might help us grow spiritually or reach more people for Jesus, I quickly log it into my notes app to save for later. My heart longs to see God’s people flourish and the lost come to know Christ, and I don’t want to miss any opportunity that could help us do that.

To generate these ideas, I spend hours each week reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and devouring books. I’m also part of several pastors’ groups online, where I’m constantly reading comments and suggestions from other leaders. On top of that, my inbox is filled daily with messages from companies and authors who produce tools and resources to help churches succeed. My mind is continually filled with new ideas from leaders across the world who are doing great things for God.

But here’s the challenge: ideas are everywhere, yet wisdom comes only from God. It’s easy to get caught up in the flood of strategies, programs, and tools and forget to pause and ask the Lord, “What do You want for us?” Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Great ideas can inspire us, but only God’s direction can truly lead us. My prayer is that I never chase trends more than I pursue Jesus and his leading. I hope to filter every idea, every resource, and every suggestion through prayer and Scripture, so that the Church is not just busy but is faithful in following God.

My social media groups for preachers have been alive the past few weeks with discussions about when someone should leave their Church. Apparently, a large group of pastors has drawn circles, saying that if you do not express an opinion about a particular topic they feel strongly about, then you, as a parishioner, should consider finding a new Church.

There are only three reasons when it becomes acceptable to leave a community of believers and find a new group.

First, when the leaders of the Church deny the authority of scripture. Whenever a group abandons the word of God, they are immediately headed away from Him.

Second, you need to leave if that faith community no longer believes that Jesus is the only source of salvation and faith in him is required to spend eternity with the Father.

Finally, I think it is acceptable to leave when that Church begins to endorse sin and neglects a message of repentance and transformation into Christlikeness. This is usually the result of people dismissing scripture and often leads to them rejecting Jesus. Whenever change for the sake of the Gospel is optional, then those people have abandoned the faith.

As a long-time Church leader, it breaks my heart to read online of so many people who are now changing their community of faith because of what their pastor did not say. It only serves to drive home the consumer mentality that exists in America. People tend to think that the Church is here to do what they want and do it their way. If it does not make them happy, then they will take their time and money and shop for a new Church elsewhere.

I spend countless hours praying and seeking God’s guidance in what I should say each week. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me into his holy word and give me something to say about Jesus and living for him. I will never do any less, and I firmly believe that is the accurate measure of a faithful Church, and nothing else.

My 90-year-old mother needed new tires for her vehicle. This is her account of what happened. I am not saying this is exactly how it all transpired; I am writing how she felt about what occurred.

She went to the first store, and they did not explain anything. They gave her a receipt from a calculator with a few numbers and the total it would cost. She stated that they did not give me a computer printout or any details.

The second store she went to is a chain store, and she said (and I quote), “They treated me like an old lady who didn’t know anything.” She felt depersonalized and was slightly offended by the way the people working the counter treated her. They gave her a nice printout with lots of details, and she quietly left.

At her third stop, the manager, who is the owner’s son, came and greeted her. He talked with her about her needs and how they could help. He sat down and gave her a printed estimate of the costs, explaining what would happen if they installed her tires.

Where do you think she bought tires?

Here is the thing: she needed tires and was only looking for someone to value her during the sale. She wanted to be treated with respect while feeling safe in her transaction. All they needed to do was to welcome her, communicate clearly, and be friendly.

I believe people need Jesus. They need what the Church has to offer. Sadly, sometimes believers can hinder the spread of the Gospel, not because they preach the hard truth of repentance, but because their tools are outdated and their attitude is offensive.

This year, I made a conscious decision about how I handle Sunday mornings. This was motivated by my own feelings of disconnection from the people I lead.

In my previous years of ministry, I would walk around before worship and talk to as many people as possible. I greeted newcomers and long-time members with “How are you today?” followed by a quick comment, and then I moved on.

This year, I am approaching someone I might not know that well and asking several questions about them. I try to use open-ended questions like “How was your week?” or “Any big plans for today or this week?”

My choice was to have fewer conversations with more depth than a multitude of shallow greetings. For the most part, this has been effective for me. Some people have been resistant to talking, so I depart without making them feel awkward. Others love to chat about their life. I have found that asking a couple of open-ended questions has generated more discussion than I predicted, and quite often a follow-up “So how did that work out this week?” opens the door to a whole new interaction the following week.

People love to share their stories and life if someone simply asks. When we are in a hurry to get to the next person, everyone paints on a happy face and speaks in generalities, and no real connection is made.

With the success I have personally experienced this year in coming to know people better, I am challenging other people to do the same. Take a moment this Sunday and walk up to someone you barely know, and ask them questions about their life, experiences, and dreams. You will be amazed at the connections that begin by trying to have meaningful conversations rather than brief exchanges with the people you see each week.

What is your next step on your walk with Jesus?

This is a very personal question. It is based on where your life is at present. It needs to factor in where you have been and where you hope to go.

Ultimately, it is about taking a single step. Have you made a public profession of faith and been baptized? Then, do those. Have you served the Lord in any capacity? Then, find a place to serve. Have you read a single book in the Bible? If not, start with the Gospel of Mark or Luke. Have you ever prayed about anything? Start with a simple one-minute prayer time.

Be honest about your current position in your walk of faith. Then take a step. There are a thousand possible things you can do, but do something.

My wife and I were walking and talking. As our conversation turned in my head, a clear idea for a blog post entered my mind. But the conversation was sweet to my soul, and I didn’t want to stop, pull out my phone, and type it into my note-taking app.

By the time we arrived back home, the idea was lost, permanently lost. I have spent a week trying to replay our conversation, thinking about each topic in detail, but still no sign of recovery. Just know that if I ever think of it again, you are in for a mind-blowing post that will make you a far better person.

For now, it is lost.

But as I’ve reflected on this fleeting moment, I’ve realized something profound. Maybe the idea wasn’t meant to be captured. Perhaps the real gift was the walk, the laughter, the connection with my wife. That walk was a chance to soak in the beauty of life and love, even if it meant letting go of a brilliant idea.

As a Christian leader and communicator, I am focused on sharing profound insights, so I am always listening closely for the whisper of inspiration. When I hear it, I take notes and try not to lose a single thought. Lately, I’m learning that it’s okay to let some things slip away. The Holy Spirit is faithful, and if that idea was meant for the world, He’ll bring it back in His perfect timing.

So, while I’m disappointed by the loss of what was sure to be a viral blog post, I’m grateful for what I gained instead. I was reminded to be present and to cherish the moment. The lesson for me isn’t in the post I forgot, but in the walk I’ll remember.

My definition of living a full life is changing as I age.

I once thought it meant a fast car, a bulging bank account, a big house, exotic vacations, and filling every extra minute with an adrenaline rush.

Now, it is a quiet night in my old house, watching a movie with a woman who has loved me through the best and worst seasons of life. It is having meaningful conversations with my adult children. It is sharing a delicious meal with the people closest to me and having a good laugh. It is living each day with faith and the hope of Jesus, along with my family.  

I may not have received the full life I once dreamed about, but instead, I have found something better. And I thank God for that.

Some Sundays, it feels like my efforts to serve the Lord are a waste of time. The sermon didn’t seem to connect, and I received no positive feedback. The worship time sounded like barely anyone was singing. The devotion for communion was meant to have a touch of humor, and no one laughed. My conversations were awkward, and I struggled to overcome my introverted tendencies. The activities of the day felt like wasted efforts in trying to make an impact for Jesus in the world.

I come to the office on Monday morning and pour out my heart in prayer, asking God a simple question: “What am I doing here?” I plead with him to show me something positive that happened, and that our time together for the weekend was not a waste.

Through the years, it is at this moment that God whispers into my soul, “There are no wasted efforts when you are serving me.”

He reminds me that his kingdom is like a garden, and some days are about planting seeds that will not see a harvest until some future season. Some Sundays are about pulling weeds and helping people to remove sins that have sprouted in their hearts quietly. There are other Sundays when people are being watered, and that will enable growth into the future.

On top of everything else, even when no one else is growing or changing, I am. I need lessons on humility, trust, patience, and grace. Sometimes those come during dry seasons, where it looks like things might be dying.

I tell you this because I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Every Christian leader, teacher, small group leader, and everyone who has attempted to do anything for God has thought it at some point. And I want you to hear the voice of God speaking into your life, “There are no wasted efforts in my kingdom.”

Thanks for all you do. You are a blessing.

I am writing this on a beautiful, sunny fall afternoon. It is perfect weather outside, and I do not want to be sitting in front of my computer. On top of that, I didn’t sleep very well last night. I had a difficult time falling asleep, and I woke up early to exercise. Beyond that, I do not feel very creative today. I have more creative ideas in the early morning when I am fresh and not in the late afternoons. Finally, I will not publish this post for a couple of weeks after I write it, so there is no pressure to complete it today. It would be far easier not to write anything today.

One lesson I have learned in my professional life is to stay at the computer and do the work, even when it is not the perfect time or place, and even when I don’t feel like it. If you wait for the perfect moment when every condition is ideal, you will rarely take action.

When I don’t feel like crafting a sermon, I still sit down and start working. Whenever I don’t feel like writing, I sit at the computer and start typing. Whenever I am not in the mood to do something, I don’t just sit down and quit; I start doing it. It always amazes me how I find inspiration while doing more than I did before.

The older I get, and the longer I serve as a Church leader, the more I have to fight against becoming cynical. I have the opportunity to see the best in people as they live for Jesus, but I also get to see people at their worst as sin takes over. It is easy for me to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest, and I become hardened by hearing every sob story.

Cynicism often creeps in as we get older. Life’s disappointments, broken promises, unmet expectations, and repeated struggles can tempt us to harden our hearts. A hardened heart feels like a shield, but it distances us from God’s love and the joy of His creation. As followers of Christ, we are called to guard against bitterness and keep a spirit that reflects God’s hope.

There are numerous ways to push back against this type of thinking. Do a Google search or type the question into an AI tool, and you’ll find all kinds of practical steps to help you combat the hardening of your heart. They will tell you to focus on scripture or draw near to Jesus through the spiritual disciplines. Living in community with positive people and doing self-care will help to keep your heart soft.

My suggestion was not something I found on any list during my search. I think you need to learn to laugh and laugh a lot. My favorite preacher, Fred Craddock, used to say that laughter was the best sign of God’s grace. It shows us that we do not take ourselves too seriously and that we can let go of the burdens that weigh us down.

Personally, I look at memes, watch funny reels, listen to clean comedians and their podcasts. I read things that make me smile and bring me joy. I try to spend time with people who enjoy laughing and can find humor even in the darkest of times. I think that if you take a few hours and belly laugh at the craziness of this world, it is hard to then become angry and jaded at the junk you experience from a handful of people who are driven by their selfish desires.

A few times in my life, I have laughed at what some might call an inappropriate moment. That is only because I felt the walls of my heart growing cold, and I needed to crack the shell forming around it before it became permanent.