Have you ever returned from vacation tired and empty? There’s a reason why…. After talking with many pastors and leaders, I’ve noticed a pattern. Most either don’t take enough time for regular vacations OR the way they vacation doesn’t allow for deep rest to take place. Maybe you’ve even thought to yourself, “I need a vacation from my vacation!” As we enter into the summer months in North America, we have an opportunity to completely re-think the way we take our vacations from a biblical perspective. On today’s podcast, I explore what you must do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER your vacation in order for you to get the rest and restoration you need.

Is your life and leadership the same on the INSIDE as it is on the OUTSIDE? You might respond “Of course it is!”. But reality is – sometimes it’s hard to know. That’s why God often sends others to help us see our own blindspots. In the Scriptures, this is the role of the prophets – to call God’s people out of blindness and help them see what they were missing. One of these prophets, Ezekiel, brought revelation to Israel at a time they needed it most. They had returned from exile and were dislocated, suffering, and traumatized. Jerusalem was destroyed. Instead of focusing on the corrupt, pagan nations around them, Ezekiel calls them to first see their own hypocrisy and superficiliaty as the people of God In today’s podcast, I share this full sermon and 3 invitations that I believe are critical for the day in which we live.

It has been almost 40 years since I graduated from seminary. My courses and study equipped me in so many areas – history, theology, and biblical languages. During that time felt like I was drinking from a fire hydrant. When I graduated, I was well aware there was still much to learn. I had no idea there would also be a few HARD lessons waiting for me. Each of them would completely transform my life and ministry. In today’s podcast, I share just 5 of these important lessons hoping they can be a gift to you as well.

Most leaders are consumed with solving problems, putting out fires, and managing people. This was the first 17 years of my ministry. I had become so accustomed to responding to all that was happening on the outside of me that I didn’t know how to lead from the inside. Tell me if this sounds familiar…  You’re externally managing institutions, people, buildings, and ministries Your prayers are focused on maximizing impact, attendance, and finances You’re busy, overloaded, and anxious. You’re not reflective or curious. You’re always looking for the next book to read or conference to attend You’re determined to remove obstacles and interruptions You regularly ignore your limits Your best energy is spent powering through your to-do list Most leaders are taught that THIS is good leadership! But the truth is, if you want to be a transformational leader, you must learn to lead from the inside out. In today’s episode, I share about the three. Read more.

Last week on the podcast we covered a thorny topic – Church Scandals. In order to get underneath this disturbing (and accelerating) trend, we must take seriously the work of cultivating spiritual depth in our churches. As we discussed last week, this starts with taking a look at the board that oversees your church. But it doesn’t stop there. In today’s episode, I tackle several questions that listeners sent me last week, and then we dive into part two of the key to addressing our church scandal crisis.

Church scandals. They seem to be more and more frequent in headline news. Each one has a dramatic effect on all of us. They are to be grieved but also carefully examined. Each one leaves us wondering Who’s next? – and more importantly – How might we examine our own church culture? It’s easy to point fingers at surface-level problems. But after long hours of prayerful thinking, I want to highlight one key that I believe will help us work towards a better, healthier future in our churches and ministries. Please listen to today’s episode, and if appropriate, share with others leaders who could benefit from this conversation.