The Problem with Using Your Inbox as your Task List

Over the years I have found different ways to be productive and get things done. I have two tried and true methods that have stuck with me for quite a while. I use my email inbox + my Moleskine to manage the things I have to get done. For people who know me, they always…

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What does an apostolic leader do anyways?

Over the past 10 years, I think I’ve asked about every one of my pastor-friends the question, “what is it that you do during the week?” or “how do you spend your time?”  I’ve asked because I was sensing that I was not a typical pastor and quite honestly, I did not know what to…

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Why We Have Pastors at The Well

Two weeks ago we ordained two new pastors at The Well: Scott Jones and Matthew Warren.  I couldn’t be more proud to serve the church with these two guys. I also am so excited to be part of a pastoral team again. As we began the ordination I wrote up a short intro to “why…

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Planning Sabbaticals

Some context: this past summer I took a three month sabbatical from The Well. It is hard to believe that I have been a pastor there for eleven years as of this past October. In the Spring of 2011 I went to my elder team and asked them for a sabbatical for that summer. But…

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Are You a Real Pastor??

It’s been interesting. I’ve been a pastor for 10 years. In all this time I’ve always been bi-vocational. You can read about that in other places on my blog.  During that time I’ve come to the realization that two things are (generally) true: In the traditional / established church world you aren’t a “real pastor” unless you are…

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Towards a Discipleship Framework

I’ve been working on the following thoughts for the last year or so and I am honestly apprehensive to even publish this because it has morphed and changed so much over the last year.  It’s far from perfect but I’d love to hear your thoughts to improve it and tighten it up a bit.  Discipleship…

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10 Suggestions / Thoughts on Bi-Vocational Ministry

I’ve been bi-vocational in some way or another for about 9 years.  Here is some random advice/thoughts to those who are beginning or in the midst of the bi-vocational approach to ministry: Try and find a second job that feeds your gifting  and passions in some way. I actually really enjoy web design. It taps…

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Bi-Vocational Update

It’s funny, over the past few months people who have not seen me for a while tend to ask me, “hows that bi-vocational thing going for you?” most likely referring to my posts from a few months ago (here and here) on having three jobs and three kids and all that goes with that. Well,…

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Bi-Vocational Pastors

As a pastor who has spent the last nine years living a bi-vocational life (sometimes tri-vocational), I appreciated all the discussion on David Fitch’s blog post back in November. I posted the rhythm I have been living for the last nine months back in November also.  Things have changed a tad for me since I…

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