The six years I spent as an urban youth worker really helped shape some of my views on how to do ministry. One thing I’ve become increasingly aware of is the fact that lots of churches in America have simply become “too safe”. Many congregations try to offer everything, demand ...

This article isn’t written for those of you who have a personality conflict with your pastor. Get over it. Ditto with petty grievances like sermon length, leadership style or vestment choices. If those are your big issues, then maybe the person in the mirror needs to make some changes befo...

Some of us really like categories and lists. The problem is that when we categorize topics with bullet points (Schnase’s five practices, Wesley’s three simple rules, Warren’s five purposes), we sometimes forget that the individual items are usually connected with each other and...

I have a love-hate relationship with prayer. I feel a powerful call to explore this frequently neglected spiritual activity, and even to teach others about the things I discover. But praying is hard work sometimes. Okay, most of the time. And the best prayer times only happen when I pray before ...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Adam Hamilton in February 2009. Adam is senior pastor of the 16,000 member Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. He is the author of Confronting the Controversies, Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, and Enough. SHANE: First of all, your books and ...

If you consider yourself “tough on crime” and support trying teenagers and children as adults, I challenge you to volunteer as a mentor to an inner city kid for six months and we’ll see if you have the same opinion. Or work in a youth ministry setting with economically disadvan...

I had the privilege today of interviewing United Methodist Bishop William H. Willimon of the North Alabama Conference. He and Dr. Joel Green served as general editors of the Wesley Study Bible, a landmark new release from Abingdon Press. Bishop Willimon is the author of Who Will Be Saved?, also...

What is unconditional election? It’s the belief that God chooses us individually for eternal salvation, but not because of any foreseen merit or virtue in us or condition of faith. Any reasons God may have for saving certain individuals are considered part of his own purposes and aren̵...

Have you ever noticed that some people become negative when the conversation turns to spiritual matters? I’m an optimist, and I like to encourage people to stretch themselves spiritually. On one hand, I think we should be satisfied with Christ, but I don’t think we should ever be con...

Occasionally someone asks me what I think of the “inclusive language” debate. Usually they’re talking about either referring to God with gender-specific pronouns or translating the Bible in an allegedly “inclusive” or “exclusive” way. Here are my thoughts...