The recent election of President Donald Trump has caused even the most apathetic voter to take sides. Political factions feverishly debate issues and people seem to protest perpetually, all while the media spins out of control. Political correctness abounds on social media and everyone has an opinion. Christians engage in the harsh and abrasive rhetoric without regret. Young and old … Read More
The Maxim of the Mask
What does an oxygen mask have to do with ministry? Kris Barnett examines why never addressing your own needs can actually hurt your congregation.
Digital Wisdom and Teens
I recently lead a small gathering of 50 or so youth ministers on the topic of technology and its influence on teen behavior. The number one question on everyone’s mind was “How can we help teenagers when it seems like they seem to know more than we do on this topic?” It’s a valid question but it need not be … Read More
Three Ways to Strengthen Unity
One recurring theme throughout the New Testament is unity. Jesus speaks of oneness among His disciples in His high priestly prayer found in John 17:21-23. He prayed, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. … Read More
Seeing and Responding to Scripture
When my wife and I had our honeymoon in Plymouth, Mass.—some 14 years ago now—we made the decision to drive the entire way. Now I know a 20-hour car ride on your honeymoon sounds like a bad idea, but it was really quite nice. On the way, we visited places like Hershey, Penn., Amish Country, and New York City. One … Read More
For Those Who Want to Teach Theology
As with any profession, occasionally someone (a student, usually) approach me with a question: how can I do what you do? What they mean, of course, is teach ministry and theology in an academic setting. Normally, I respond with something like, “Great! Stay in school until you finish out, but don’t be an egghead. Serve a church the whole way … Read More
Reading and Leading
Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a reader. Perhaps you make comments like “reading just isn’t my thing” or “I don’t read books. I wait for the movie.” I understand this mindset, but my reply is – you just haven’t found something that you would like to read or need to know. Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a leader. Perhaps you … Read More
Why You Should Attend Conferences
The flyer comes across your desk or the email hits your inbox. Captivating images and flashy fonts capture your attention. The subtle message imbedded in the creative presentation says, “Come to our conference!” You delete many of these ads a week, perhaps a day, but this one stands out. Maybe the subject matter tweaks your interest or perhaps you follow … Read More
The 3 M’s of Leadership
The 3 M’s of Leadership originally appeared in the February edition of The Courier. Header images provided through creative commons by the U.S. Army. One of the most powerful memories I have of the Army involves standing in a chow line with other officers waiting for our enlisted soldiers to get their food. The reason we stood in line rather … Read More