The Pre-Requisite of Starting a School
When we set up the Engage Church Network, we had a plan we thought would work. We wanted to work with churches and pastors. I wanted to coach pastors and help churches discover their God given visions on how God had called them to minister to and evangelize their specific communities. We immediately ran into […]
Patchwork Theology
When I was in high school, my math teachers made me show my work. When our class was given a test, we were given a sheet filled with problems and the best teachers would leave plenty of blank space on the test paper to work out the problems. Why? Because according to my teachers, knowing […]
When Seminary Prepares the Mind—but Ministry Tests the Heart: Why the Engage Church Network School of Ministry Matters
Seminaries equip us with theology, exegesis, and biblical languages. All of this is important in building a foundation for someone entrusted in feeding the flock of God as a shepherd. But the role of a shepherd also includes leading and protecting the flock. Leading a congregation is terrain that tests vision, team dynamics, emotional resilience, […]
Between the Steeple and the Stock Ticker
When I accepted the call to serve as a bivocational pastor at College Grove Baptist Church two years ago this month, I didn’t realize just how literal the “bi” in “bivocational” would feel. Most days, I’m toggling between a spreadsheet and a sermon, between training teams in corporate strategy and shepherding souls in a local […]
Keeping a Journal
Growing up Southern Baptist, I was expected to attend Sunday morning and evening worship services, Sunday School, Church Training and of course, Wednesday night fellowship dinner and prayer meeting. I was also encouraged to have a “daily quiet time” that was expected to last about ten minutes. The plan was to read a passage of […]
Training for the Church That Actually Exists
Written by Matt Pearson If you live in Middle Tennessee long enough you will learn who the “unicorns” are. The unicorns are those who are actually from Middle Tennessee. We call them unicorns because they are so rare. The vast majority, so it seems, are from all over the United States. Individuals and families from throughout the […]
I Stand by the Door – the case for evangelistic commitment
Written by Samuel Shoemaker Here is a piece from Sam Shoemaker that I run across from time to time. Want to share it with you. Sam Shoemaker(1893-1963) was an Episcopal priest who was instrumental in the Oxford Group and founding principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was the rector of the Calvary Church in New York […]
Why You’re Probably Preaching Better Than You Think
When I was growing up, I was told I had to give 100% effort all the time in everything. Whether it was math class or basketball practice, I had to give my maximum effort and I had to give this maximum effort all the time. No breaks. No rest. I was taught to go as […]
Leading Without Thinking: The Silent Crisis in Church Leadership
One of the challenges of working in a local church, and from what I’m finding out about every level of leadership, is there is so much to do, no leader has the time to think about things. There’s no time to look at trends, numbers, and future opportunities and challenges. Every day is so crammed […]
Time to Let it Soak In
My mom used to tell me I couldn’t go swimming until I had let my lunch settle. According to her, it took exactly thirty minutes for my food to settle before I could get back into the water. If I got back into the water too fast, I would get sick, cramp up and die […]
