If you are wanting to grow spiritually, here are some foundational ideas upon which to build your routines and expectations.

If you are wanting to grow spiritually, here are some foundational ideas upon which to build your routines and expectations.
In this episode, we talk with Rachel Howell about Biblical interpretation. A scholar and missionary herself, Rachel has taken a deep dive into Alexander Campbell’s influence on Churches of Christ in the way we view and interpret Scripture. She will critique some areas of imbalance and suggest what it might look like to build an even healthier hermeneutic as we move forward.
For your sermons to be of consistent in their quality, you need to give them room to grow. Here’s one way to do it.
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
Drawing from his original doctoral research at ACU, combined with his experience as a minister and as a Navy Reserve Chaplain, Daniel McGraw talks about how to lead effectively while continuing to nourish one’s soul.
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
Dr. Mac Sandlin describes the active way in which the Holy Spirit leads us into greater virtues, helping us to become more like Christ. Beyond asking, “What should I do?” Mac invites us to ponder, “What kind of person should I be?”
Dr. Mark Adams sits down with Dr. Kevin Burr to share some experiential advice for young ministers…and really, for anyone looking to grow spiritually.
Looking back at 2020, here were the most viewed posts at Kingdom Upgrowth.
A collection of my devotional Haikus based on the Minor Prophets.
It’s been a hard time for all of us. Here are some things you can do to help you get through.
For my birthday, I’m sharing 40 things I’ve learned over the last 40 years.
Why grace might be even more amazing than you think it is.
What does it actually look like for people to get healthier incrementally? How do we help dysfunctional tribes become high-functioning teams? Here are a few ideas.
Mrs. Zebedee believed more than anything that she wanted her sons to be at Jesus’ right and left hands as he entered his kingdom. But at the foot of the cross, her perspective may have changed.
Here are some recent translations of the Bible I have been reading and am intending to read soon.
Rather than merely discovering or developing your interests, what if you took things to the next level?
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.
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.
Dr. Mark Powell of the Harding School of Theology talks about how John’s Gospel enhances our understanding about God.
Lauren Calvin Cooke guides us in how to utilize the Gospel of John for personal spiritual growth.
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?
Dr. Keith Stanglin shares how John’s Gospel was valuable to the early church, and how these insights help us to utilize it today.
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.
In 2020 we’re going on a journey through John’s Gospel. We hope you’ll come, too!
Here are my favorite books I read in 2019, along with a full list of all the books I read this year.
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on I John.
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
Engaging Scripture creatively helps us engage it more deeply. Here are some of my haikus based on Jonah.
Scripture comes to life when we engage it creatively. Here is a collection of haiku poems I’ve written based on Isaiah.
Leaders need it. Volunteers need it. Insiders and outsiders both need it. How do we best care for the people around us?
Dr. Anessa Westbrook shares her original research about what factors help young women to grow spiritually.
Everyone deals with criticism. When someone criticizes you, how should you respond? Here are a few suggestions.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking? “You are what you love.” That’s the title of a book
The Enneagram The Enneagram is a personality system which groups people into Nine Types, partially based on their behaviors, but even more so based on
Note: This post is part of the 2018 Blog Tour: What Are You Seeking. Several weeks ago I was having a conversation with someone about
“It was in the last place I looked.” One of my least favorite expressions follows an anxious search for keys, wallets, and phones. Having scoured
For this Fall, some ministry friends reached out to me about a blog tour. I’m honored to participate. I’ll be sharing one post of my
These days, talking about important subjects online is a lot like walking through a minefield. Matt Dabbs provides tools to help us with online conversations–and
Ministry isn’t the only vocation where productivity, organization, and efficiency are important. Here are a few things I use to help me accomplish as much
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIO-ONLY PODCAST In this Research Spotlight, I am excited to share a conversation I had with Kevin Burr. Kevin is a Ph.D.
I’ve been making posts about Appreciative Inquiry, an effective method for studying an existing group of people and discerning how to implement positive change in