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Ministry in the Trenches

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March 2014

March 26, 2014

Why We Don't Have an Invitation at our Church

We don't have an "invitation" at the end of our services, and there's a very...

March 24, 2014

A Guaranteed Way to Get Unchurched People to Come to Your Church

Sometimes we overcomplicate things. There are tons of books out there on how to see...

March 14, 2014

What a Simple Hug Can Do

It's amazing to see the impact you can have at your church this Sunday if...

March 12, 2014

The Small Thing a Pastor Can Do To Make a Huge Impression

This past Sunday at church I met several new families at Mt Vernon Church, but...

March 10, 2014

Six Golden Calves that Hurt the Church

I had a frustrating conversation with a fellow pastor the other day. Not frustrating because...

March 05, 2014

What to Do During a Bad Church Solo

We've all experienced it before: the overwhelming panic that covers you like a blanket when...

February 2014

February 28, 2014

Why We Created a Next Steps Desk at Mt Vernon

Things are always changing at Mt Vernon. One of the major changes we made in...

February 26, 2014

How to Have Your Heart Broken in Ministry

My heart is broken the fourth Monday of every month at 1 pm. It's like...

February 21, 2014

How a Handshake Can Change Your Church

This couple isn't supposed to be at our church. One grew up Church of Christ,...

February 05, 2014

36 Things I've Learned in 36 Years of Life

A few days ago I turned 36. While 36 isn't in itself a magic number,...

January 2014

January 24, 2014

Why Church Should Be Fun

Church should be fun. It really should. Now wait, all you coffee-shop-theologians, before you start...

October 2013

October 23, 2013

Why Adult Sunday School Can Hurt the Church

Now, before you start throwing rocks the size and shape of your LifeWay quarterly, hear...

October 21, 2013

One Ministry Every Church Should Have

Yesterday at Mt Vernon I received a comment from a first time guest that I...

October 07, 2013

Mark Junkins Funeral Message

Yesterday I had the heart-breaking privilege at preaching Mark Junkin's funeral. He was an incredible...

September 2013

September 25, 2013

Stories of Hope (Why I Do What I Do)

Yesterday at staff meeting (whoop whoop!) we went around the table and shared stories about...

September 04, 2013

Why First Impressions Are So Important

This past Sunday my wife and I were out of town and had the opportunity...

August 2013

August 28, 2013

30 Things I'm Thankful For at Mt Vernon

I write a lot about life and ministry on this blog, but every once in...

July 2013

July 29, 2013

Please Pray for Colonial Hills Baptist Church

Over the weekend, a horrific bus accident killed three adults and an unborn child. The...

July 10, 2013

How a Playdate Can Change a Life

It's the little things that can change a life. A few weeks ago at Mt...

July 08, 2013

Park Stevens Funeral Message

This past Saturday, I preached at a funeral for one of our college students who...

June 2013

June 21, 2013

Why We Do What We Do

As a follower of Jesus, we're called to love loudly, serve others, and boldly share...

June 19, 2013

What Summer Camp Meant to Me

This morning I'm up in Nashville visiting our students at M-Fuge summer camp. Besides brushing...

June 12, 2013

10 Practical Ways to See Southern Baptists Flourish Again (Part 1)

As I write this post the Southern Baptist Convention is having its annual meeting in...

June 10, 2013

A Reminder of What Happens When You Give

Carla* is new to Christianity. A young adult now, she didn't grow up in a...

May 2013

May 22, 2013

Dealing with Unspeakable Tragedy

Recently my town suffered a devastating loss as two young boys were killed in a...

May 17, 2013

A Reminder of the Good We Can Do in the World

Several weeks ago Mt Vernon hosted its second annual Joy Prom for the special needs...

April 2013

April 24, 2013

Why Your Church is Like Rotten Tomatoes

One of my favorite apps on my phone is Flixster, which lets me view upcoming...

April 22, 2013

7 Reasons Why I Love Joy Prom

Think of the happiest, funnest, most memorable prom that you can remember. Multiply that by...

April 03, 2013

When You Introduce Yourself to a New Couple the Second Time

It happened to me (again) this past Sunday. That awkward moment when you introduce yourself...

February 2013

February 18, 2013

Waiting Six Years to Be Invited to Church

Yesterday at Mt Vernon Church I met a nice young family with a precious daughter....