Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, I’m pretty adept at self-preservation—building walls to protect myself. These walls often prevent me from disclosing too much, from entering deeper relationships, from bringing challenge to others, from succeeding in certain areas because of fear, anxiety or trying to prove something. And I’m not alone. Prior to studying for my … Continue reading "Pastoral Self Preservation" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders: What is it like to be on the other side of you? I’ll never forget the first time I heard that question from a leadership consultant. He used the illustration of broccoli in your teeth—everyone else knows it’s there, but you don’t see it until you look in the mirror. … Continue reading "Healthy Church Begins with Healthy Leadership" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders: During the season of Advent, which prepares us for Christmas, we share in the hope, peace, joy and love of Jesus as we contemplate his three-fold coming (advent) for our salvation: Jesus came 2,000 years ago through the Incarnation, permanently uniting his divinity with our humanity. Jesus comes now through the Holy … Continue reading "Looking Back, Looking Forward" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, October was a whirlwind month for me! As most of you know, on October 14 in Charlotte, NC, I was installed as GCI’s new President (click here for a report in GCI Update). It is a privilege to be entrusted with this responsibility and I look forward to what lies ahead as, … Continue reading "Equipping for GCI’s Next Chapter" Read the article
Dear Congregational Leaders: I’m not easily disheartened by setbacks, and I thank Jesus for that gift. Recently, though, I was deeply impacted when one of our young pastoral couples left us. I’ll not share the details, but I want to note that the situation showed me a need our congregations have to adjust their posture (spirit, … Continue reading "From Greg: Adjust Your Posture" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, I’ve been emphasizing our need to work together to take the micro-steps necessary for us to realize our macro-vision of Healthy Church. As Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10). In conversations with GCI leaders around the globe, I’ve been … Continue reading "From Greg: Let’s Be Sponsor-Mentors" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders: Because we humans are “prone to wander,” those of us called by God to serve within the church as under-shepherds must join Jesus, the Great Shepherd, in protecting his flock from harm (Acts 20:28). This is a vital calling, given the many forces in our day that threaten our members, … Continue reading "From Greg: Worldview Conversion" Read the article
Dear ministers of our Lord, Jesus Christ: If you’ve visited England and traveled on the London area trains, you’ve likely noticed the ever-present “Mind the Gap” signs in the city’s “underground” (subway, called the “tube”). These warning signs tell travelers to mind their step as they stand nearby or enter and exit the tube, lest … Continue reading "From Greg: Mind the Gap" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, We all face seasons of change and movement. For my family, April of this year was one of those seasons. My brother Mark sold his house and set out to build a new one. My son Gatlin left his apartment to join his best friend from high school in a … Continue reading "From Greg: Pilgrimage of the Faithful" Read the article
Dear Pastors and Ministry Leaders, Thanks for your prayers! The move of our international Home Office from Glendora, CA, to Charlotte, NC, is now complete. It’s been an exciting and busy time. Moving employees, supplies, records, furniture, etc. across 2,400 miles was no small operation! Despite some challenges, surprises and a lot of work, the … Continue reading "From Greg: Hitting the Refresh Button" Read the article
