Are you wasting time on failed methodologies? — Checklists Here is how this method usually plays out. An organization decides there are a few skills and ideas that an employee needs to know. They then create a checklist of said skills and essential knowledge for the task. Finally, they assign a “mentor” to teach them these skills and pass…

Stepping away from cookie-cutter missionary methods — I was “called to be a missionary” as a sophomore in high school. I went on a few short-term mission trips to confirm that calling and fell in love with missionary life. Learning language and culture, loving people and building relationships, then sharing with them God’s story of hope and…

What kind of leader are you? — Leadership is a hot topic in America, especially in Christian circles. But we also have a long history of getting it wrong. The disciples had a specific idea of leadership that they imposed on Jesus. Jesus tried to prepare them for His kingdom and how things don’t work the same…

A parable — The day had started wrong for Elam. His brother had left the fishing nets after work yesterday without cleaning them. So here he was, cleaning nets before the sun even broke the horizon. Despite his annoyance with his brother, he desperately needed time to think. And the early morning hours…

A study in simple multiplication In Baptist circles, church anniversaries are celebrated with a large homecoming, fellowship, stories, and a potluck to die for. But every once in a while, it is a church funeral that pleases the heart of Christ. I want to tell you the story of a…

Sometimes it’s okay to stick it to the man! — The smell of freshly brewed Britt coffee filled the air. Andean pan flutes playing “Flight of the Condor” for the 1000th time echoed through the halls as we strolled through Lima Airport. It would be a routine flight from the capital to our home in Puerto Maldonado. …

Which slogan will define your life? — How often do you think of your safety and security? Do you hesitate when given the opportunity to do something “out of the ordinary” for the sake of Christ? A few weeks back, as I was driving down to the capital city from our home in the north, we encountered…

Now What? — My recent Bible reading has opened my eyes to a challenging reality in my life. It has shown me a dangerous path that my feet are tempted to tread, and I’m praying daily for God to give me the strength to be where I am supposed to be. Let me…

Teenage love and dark country roads — “What?! Dude, you can’t do this! The Bulls are playing, and MJ is going off!!” My friends looked at me in disbelief as I hung up the phone. “Mack says he can’t come over because he is hanging out with his girl.” “My man needs to get his priorities straight,”…