It was a couple of years ago that I heard an interview with a historian and author by the name of John Dickson. I found him to be fairly interesting, so I went and looked up his podcast and started listening. I was quickly hooked, and Undeceptions has become my favorite, and most recommended, podcast.Continue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: John Dickson”
Tag Archives: encouragement
“Bullies and Saints” – John Dickson
Christ wrote a beautiful tune, which the church has often performed well, and often badly. But the melody was never completely drowned out. Sometimes it became a symphony. John Dickson, Bullies and Saints Dickson opens the book, Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look At The Good and Evil Of Christian History, with a story. HeContinue reading ““Bullies and Saints” – John Dickson”
Sabbatical Sit Down: Bryan Mincks
I traveled south into the exotic land of “Iowa” to meet with Bryan Mincks. Bryan is pastor of Iron Ridge Church in the small town of Waukon, IA. He helped to plant the church with his father Marlan, a national church planting leader. Bryan highlighted a journey of a lot of ups and downs forContinue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: Bryan Mincks”
Sabbatical Sit Down: Jared Bangs
Pastor Jared Bangs hails from Cook, MN (population approx. 500), which is a stones throw from Canada, so it isn’t that Jared is Canadian but he is Canada-adjacent. Jared has taken a fairly unique role since becoming lead pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Cook 7 years ago. He oversees the church as a whole,Continue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: Jared Bangs”
Sabbatical Sit Down: Wade Bishop
Wade Bishop, pastor at Element Church in Hayward WI, was my first meeting with a ministry leader that I didn’t know. I had reached out to a couple of well-connected friends and asked for the names of pastors of churches in small towns that were using some innovative, creative, or unique ministry ideas. So, IContinue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: Wade Bishop”
Sabbatical Sit Down: Tiger McLuen
Tiger is one of those guys that I don’t see regularly, but every few years for the last couple of decades something comes up and we get a chance to reconnect and catch up. Which is cool, because Tiger is a legend! He’s been doing ministry for something like 5 decades, and is one ofContinue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: Tiger McLuen”
Sabbatical Sit Down: Jonathan Dahl
Getting a chance to sit down with Jonathan was a slightly unexpected, but greatly appreciated opportunity. I’ve felt a connection to Jonathan for several years – the meeting that I got a crazy idea to bring River’s Edge into the Converge fold was the same that Jonathan was introduced as the newest member of theContinue reading “Sabbatical Sit Down: Jonathan Dahl”
Sabbatical Start
Here I am…on sabbatical. That’s a funny word. Make’s me feel fancy. So what is a sabbatical? Really, its just a break from my ordinary job to find some renewal, refreshment, and refocus. If you want to know some more of my thoughts and goals for my 4+ weeks of sabbatical, and you weren’t atContinue reading “Sabbatical Start”
Refs and control issues
I coached junior high football for a few years. That was an experience. There were a few aspects of junior high football that were a challenge. Junior high boys were a big one; when practice shuts down because a rabbit ran past the goal posts, that’s a bit frustrating. But another big frustration was referees.Continue reading “Refs and control issues”
Only God can judge me (and He will)
Nobody likes consequences. I don’t like them. You don’t like them. Relient K hates them. But they’re real and unavoidable. Get pulled over for speeding, you pay a fine. You can be mad all you want, but…consequences. You don’t water your flowers, and they die. Frustrating, but…consequences. You’re upset with decisions being made by theContinue reading “Only God can judge me (and He will)”
Driven 