How can we lead our churches in healthier ways? Research Spotlight is a collection of live interviews with leading scholars, based on their original research.
Author: Mark
I'm a devout Christian, a loving husband, and a killer guitar player. My desire is for God's people--individually and collectively--to flourish.
Helping Members Find Where They Fit
Spiritual gifts or ministry roles? Dr. Matt Carter shares his research about best practices for helping church members connect to life-giving ministry, and the kind of leadership that makes this possible.
New Translations for New Perspectives
Here are some recent translations of the Bible I have been reading and am intending to read soon.
Best Practices for Church Finances
In financial matters, ethics matter. Dr. Carl Williamson draws from his original research to provide principles for best practices in church finances.
Advice for Planning a Funeral
All of us, from time to time, end up in the unenviable spot of needing to prepare for a funeral. Here are bits of experiential wisdom and advice from my time in ministry.
From Development to Deepening
Rather than merely discovering or developing your interests, what if you took things to the next level?
Useful Books for Church Leaders
People often ask me for book recommendations about specific situations and questions. Here are some of the questions I encounter most frequently, along with the resources I recommend.
Reading John Through Ancient Eyes
Kevin Burr helps us gain a more culturally-informed view of John’s Gospel. What would John’s original audience have assumed that we might not? This conversation helps to bridge the gap.
Reading John Theologically
Dr. Mark Powell of the Harding School of Theology talks about how John’s Gospel enhances our understanding about God.
Using John for Spiritual Formation
Lauren Calvin Cooke guides us in how to utilize the Gospel of John for personal spiritual growth.
John’s Unique Voice
Dr. Kindy De Long shares insights into some of the things that John’s Gospel uniquely contributes to the Gospels’ telling of the story of Jesus. What might John be showing us that he considers of special importance?
John’s Legacy in the Church
Dr. Keith Stanglin shares how John’s Gospel was valuable to the early church, and how these insights help us to utilize it today.
Scripture Reading Strategies
As you get ready for the new year, here are a few ways to think about how you approach Scripture, with some insights on how to get the most out of your efforts.
Join us for a Journey Through John!
In 2020 we’re going on a journey through John’s Gospel. We hope you’ll come, too!
My Favorite Reads of 2019
Here are my favorite books I read in 2019, along with a full list of all the books I read this year.
Haikus from I John
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on I John.
Church and The Infinite Game
Are you trying to play an infinite game with a finite mindset? Just less than a month ago, Simon Sinek released his new book The
Haikus From Jonah
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on Jonah.
Haikus from Isaiah
Scripture comes to life when we engage it creatively. Here is a collection of haiku poems I’ve written based on Isaiah.
Dear Church Leader
Let me begin by saying, “Thank you.” Of all the ways you can expend your energy and talents, that you are using them in service
What Everyone Needs
Leaders need it. Volunteers need it. Insiders and outsiders both need it. How do we best care for the people around us?
Wholly Redeemed
Salvation is not about emphasizing one particular action over another. It is about God redeeming your whole person.
Preaching that Transforms with Dr. Rob O’Lynn
Good preaching informs, but great preaching transforms. Dr. Rob O’Lynn shares his research, imagining how preachers can utilize transformative learning theory in how they help their congregations grow spiritually.
1st Anniversary of Kingdom Upgrowth
Our first post on Kingdom Upgrowth went live one year ago today. I wanted to take a moment to say “thank you” to everyone who
Don’t forget this one BIG thing on your mission trip!
Short-Term mission trips have the potential to do a lot of good abroad, but also at home! Here’s something you definitely want to do as you go on your trip.
Helping Women Grow Spiritually with Dr. Anessa Westbrook
Dr. Anessa Westbrook shares her original research about what factors help young women to grow spiritually.
5 Tips for Writing Mission Trip Fundraising Letters
Fundraising is an essential part of mission trips. You cannot go on a mission trip without the means to get there. Since many people raise their funds through writing letters, I am offering some tips for how to write excellent letters that are more likely to get you the response you are desiring.
Learn Spanish Christian Children’s Songs
Here is a collection of Spanish Christian Children’s songs, ideal for learning with your mission trip team if you are going to a Spanish-speaking country.
Short-Term Missions Shopping List
Summer is approaching! More than 1.5 million North Americans will be heading out on Short-Term mission trips. Though everyone has access to standard packing lists,
The Significance of the Tomb
It is significant that Jesus came in a physical body and physically died. These are reflections about Hans Holbein’s classic art work that brings out the grotesque nature of death.
Responding to Criticism
Everyone deals with criticism. When someone criticizes you, how should you respond? Here are a few suggestions.
Navigating the Cultural Divide
In Decline or Not? I can’t remember the source of the quote, but I heard someone say, “It used to feel like Christianity was the
On Being A Messenger…
Thoughts about the different ways we can be motivated to speak on God’s behalf and how in a vocation of preaching and teaching this develops over time.
How the Old and New Testaments Work Together
The Old and New Testaments work together to provide a beautiful portrait of a loving God who has acted powerfully throughout history.
Engaging Longer Texts
If you are wanting to teach a larger book of the Bible without overwhelming your listeners, here are three strategies for making larger, complex books more accessible.
Book Review: Worship Essentials by Mike Harland
A review of Mike Harland’s book Worship Essentials (2018).
A Dwelling Place for the Spirit
Avoiding Ditches In my religious tradition (churches of Christ) we have had an uneasiness with the Holy Spirit. As with most areas of doctrine, when
Youth in Family Ministry with Luke Dockery
How do we help our children’s faith become their own? Luke Dockery shares about his Youth In Family Ministry model as a deliberate way to
An Interview with Bob Turner
I was thrilled to have a conversation with Bob Turner about books and trends in Christian publications. Bob serves as the Library Director at the Harding
W.A.Y.S.?: Seeking God’s People by Christine Fox Parker
Note: This post is part of the 2018 blog tour What Are You Seeking? Hosea. A testimony to God’s steadfast lovingkindness towards Israel and Judah.
My Favorite Reads of 2018
If there is anything that bothers me, it’s that I feel like I never have enough time to read. As I started compiling a list
Book Review: What About Kids Ministry? by Bill Emeott
Emeott, Bill. What About Kids Ministry? Practical Answers to Questions About Kids Ministry. Nashville: B&H Books, 2018. One Sentence Summary: A collection of mini-essays by
Enneagram Resources
Having spent a lot of time studying the Enneagram over the last few months, I wanted to share a lot of my favorite resources in
W.A.Y.S.?: Disordered Loves by Rob Sparks
Note: This post is part of the What Are You Seeking series. First Things First A long time ago, our friend Augustine talked about disordered
W.A.Y.S.?: What Am I Seeking When I Study The Old Testament? by Lance Hawley
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking. What am I Seeking when I Study the Old Testament? The short
Stacking Your Skill Sets
4th Place Disappointment In 2016, following an extended period of injuries, setbacks and a lengthy recovery, Kara Goucher attempted her comeback for the U.S. Olympic
W.A.Y.S.?: Your Eyes Tell It All by Jonathan Woodall
Note: This post is part of the 2018 blog tour: What Are You Seeking? As soon as I heard the theme for this year’s blog
A Mentoring Model for Intentional Disciple-Making: with Dr. Jason Bybee
For this Research Spotlight, I had a rich conversation with Dr. Jason Bybee about discipleship. Discipleship is so much more than making converts. Through Scripture and
W.A.Y.S.?: The Search for the Search by John Dobbs
Note: This post is part of the blog tour series: What Are You Seeking? God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many
Make Serving A Joy
Not Employees Volunteers aren’t employees. When you’re leading in a church setting, there isn’t a single person involved who doesn’t have the real option of