After 11 years serving in full-time ministry, my family and I have been traveling the country for the last 9 months. During this time, we have been to roughly 90 different churches in 13 different states. While visiting these churches, we have experienced a wide variety of pastors, congregations, sermons, worship services, and many other things. In this article, I will talk about three more things that God has shown me while traveling to these different churches. If you misse

While driving around the country for the last 8 months, we have been blessed beyond measure! God has been too good to us. So far, we have been to 80+ churches in 17 different states. We have been to churches of all different shapes, sizes, and cultures. We've visited with churches who had 800 people on a Wednesday night, and we have been to churches that have a strong, faithful group of 20 members who are striving to do great things for God.

Complacency is one of the quietest threats to long-term ministry. It doesn’t arrive with obvious warning signs or dramatic failure. Instead, it settles in gradually... often disguised as experience, routine, or even stability. The longer someone serves in a role, the easier it becomes to rely on what has “worked before” rather than pursuing what could be more effective and/or more impactful moving forward.

There are moments in the Christian life that quietly shape us—church services, personal Bible reading, times of prayer. And then there are moments that mark us. Moments that shift how we see the world, how we understand God’s heart, and how seriously we take our faith. For many believers, a mission trip is one of those moments. It’s easy to live a Christian life without ever stepping outside your normal routine. You can attend church, grow in in God's word, serve others, and

When we think about people who did great things for God, Abraham is always near the top of the list. In the book of Genesis, God made a covenant with him that would shape the course of human history. Through Abraham came the nation of Israel, and ultimately, the Messiah. His faith is praised all throughout scripture. He trusted God enough to leave everything that he knew, believed God’s promises when they seemed impossible, and was even willing to offer up his own son as a sa

Every church goes through seasons where things feel… stuck. Attendance plateaus. Outreach slows down. Energy fades. The same faithful people keep showing up—but there’s little to no sense of forward movement. Over time, “stuck” can quietly become the new normal. But it doesn’t have to stay that way! Momentum in a church isn’t accidental—it’s built. And more importantly, it can be rebuilt. No matter the size of your church or how long it’s been stagnant, there are practical st

Every church wants to see new visitors walk through the doors—but far fewer are asking the more important question: why don’t they come back? A steady stream of first-time guests can be exciting, but it means very little if they never return. In many churches, the “back door” is just as wide as the front. People come once, maybe twice, and then quietly disappear. The truth is, most visitors don’t leave because of one dramatic issue. They leave because of a collection of smal

I’ve had the opportunity to travel and visit many different churches. Between family vacations and missionary deputation, I’ve sat in services across the country—large churches, small churches, rural churches, city churches, and everything in between. We've been honored to meet many amazing pastors and churches while living on the road. It has been a blessing to see many faithful congregations serving the Lord and desiring to grow. But I’ve also noticed something concerning.

Life is full of choices, and one of the most important decisions we make is who we allow to influence us. Bad influences can lead us down paths that harm our character, relationships, and spiritual well-being. God's word offers timeless wisdom on the dangers of allowing negative influences in our lives and guides us on how to protect ourselves. This article explores these dangers through biblical verses and practical insights to help you guard your life in the world today. Th

The recent ice and snow storm that swept across America brought more than just freezing temperatures and slippery roads. It disrupted daily routines, tested patience, and reminded many of the fragile nature of life. While the storm caused hardship, it also offers valuable lessons that resonate deeply with our spiritual journey. Drawing from God's word, we can find timeless wisdom to help us face life's storms with courage, faith, and resilience. The Storm Reveals Our Vulnerab

Church attendance is often seen as a clear sign of faith. Many believe that sitting in a pew every Sunday automatically makes someone a Christian. But is that really true? The Bible teaches us that being a Christian goes far beyond just showing up to church. True faith is a matter of the heart, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and a life transformed by His grace. Hell is full of people who sat in church their whole life... but missed the Savior. Church Attendance Wi