“I had said yes to everything, for so long, that my body finally said no for me” ― Vivek Naik Early in my ministry, I came to realize that people are our business.  The recurring themes I heard from my teachers in college and from pastoral practitioners were: In each community I served, people told stories…

Two friends set out on a long hike during intense heat.  After the first day, they decided to travel at night. One night they came to a dried-up creek bed, and as they were crossing, a bright light appeared, followed by a loud voice saying, reach out and grab the stones in the creek bed…

SPRING is here! There is no better time of the year for home improvement. On a recent trip to our local building supply store, I was amazed to see the abundance of products for construction, renovations, house repairs and gardening. Energized by the possibilities, I went home to clean out a room that had become…

The nature and leadership implications of seeking God’s face GOD IN RESIDENCE is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture. God wants everybody to know Him up close and personal, especially His prophets, pastors, priests and kings. Psalm 27 is a prominent example. For centuries, the Jewish people have been reciting it daily during the season leading…

What famous person do you dream of seeing in person, or even on facetime? Maybe a famous athlete, author, preacher, actor, scientist or musician?  You probably know someone who would eagerly expend enormous energy just to get a 10-second selfie with a celebrity.  I know a family with a pre-teen daughter who is desperate for…

Personal identity is important.  Each of us identifies in many ways. If I ask you who you are, you may answer by saying: As a person in ministry, let me ask, who are you – where do you find significance? Every year thousands of pastors across the land think of quitting.  And part of the…

The majority of Christian congregations in Canada are small.  If your church is small, or has shrunk, it’s in the majority!  And the church in Canada is shrinking…fast. A Research Company survey in 2022 found that only 48% of Canadians claimed Christianity as their religion. Canada’s two leading protestant denominations fell to 3.8% of the…