Summer camp was an important feature of my younger years. There were few things that I anticipated and enjoyed more each year than heading north for a week of camp. Camp, in all of its various iterations, played a crucial role in my development as a follower of Jesus. It was at a camp that I first felt the call to become a pastor. It was at camp that I developed important relationships that still...
Sing a New Song: Making Space for New Music
There are few things that stir the hearts and minds of people like music. The great theologian and hymn writer Martin Luther once said, “…next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits… A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard music as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper...
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
Much like most other elementary schools throughout these United States, trips to the library were a regular part of our schedule. I can still see the layout of the library in my mind’s eye. In my early years, I was not what you would call an avid reader. I was never diagnosed with ADD, or any of those lists of letters that indicated it, but attention was not a form of capital of which I had an...
Mission: What We Do… Who We Are.
The First Baptist Church has been an active part of the community of Seymour for over 180 years. The church was established in 1839 with ten members. The first physical structure of the church was completed in 1840 and the church has been housed in four buildings in the subsequent years, including buildings behind the current location of Peace Lutheran Church, another on the corner of Tipton and...
Give It a Go (How in the World Did I Get Here?)
Have you ever found yourself taking part in something you felt was way above your proverbial pay-grade and thought, “HOW IN THE WORLD DID I GET HERE?” I can’t even enumerate how many amazing leaders and experts I’ve encountered who have indicated that they ask themselves this question early and often. From corporate executives, to professional musicians, to community leaders, to pastors and...
Held in Contempt (Called to Compassion)
Several years ago, I received a summons to jury duty. I know there are mixed feelings about receiving such a summons, but I was fairly ambivalent about it all. Like most people, I had other responsibilities and commitments calling for my time, but I also was extremely curious about how the whole process worked and was more than willing to fulfill my duties as a citizen of this great nation of...
Stop Poisoning the Watering Hole
“I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” I have heard and uttered this phrase countless times over the years. In my experience, the phrase falls into one of two categories. It is either funny or foreboding… Or rather, it is an attempt to be funny in order to mitigate the foreboding. The good news, in these instances, is rarely good. It is really just a slightly less ominous...
An Answer to Prayer
Several years ago I attended a gathering of church leaders and pastors. The intent of the gathering was to create an opportunity for us to talk about what was going on in our lives and ministries, to offer up praises for the good things God was doing, and to share our concerns and pray for one another. To be completely honest, as I walked away from the meeting that night, my heart was heavier...
Heaven and Hell (Here and Now)
Music has a way of speaking to and challenging me in ways that few other mediums do. I have a deep appreciation for quality lyrics that not only worm their way into your ears, but work their way deep into your soul. I appreciate songs that compel me to pause the progression of my playlist to repeat and process the concept or ideas that are being presented. Certain songs just hit different. They...
Yet Another Monday…
Weekends are the best! Who doesn’t love a good weekend?! As the rock band Loverboy so famously sang back in 1981, “Everybody’s working for the weekend!” We persevere through the day to day grind of the workweek with a growing sense of expectation as we make our way towards days of recreation, relaxation, and restoration. Weekends, even with the insanity of Sunday, are awesome! As a pastor...
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