As we embark on the wonderful season of Christmas, our homes, radios, and music streaming services are filled with massive amounts of Christmas music. Multiple hits ring in the ears of listeners: “O Come Emmanuel,” “Joy to the…
When I served in youth ministry I couldn’t stand being asked about my dating life. It didn’t matter who was asking—parent, student, fellow church staff—I didn’t want to be asked. But it was always hardest when a student…
On June 24, my wife Nicole and I welcomed our son Haddon into the world. Words cannot even begin to describe the beauty of seeing our son be born. Of course, the many stories of contractions, rushing to…
I will admit a bit of confusion when our family e-mail chain preparing for this year’s Thanksgiving celebrations included a plan for all of the women to watch the Gilmore Girls re-boot together. Boy was I out of…
Recently, I have had several student pastors approach me about how I train my volunteers. There are obviously many ways to train volunteers; this is by no means the final word. What follows is an explanation of how…
Okay, so I’m not just talking about the Beib. Recently, I’ve noticed a wave of amateur Christian Youtuber musicians change the words of popular songs to make them “Christian.” I’m not talking about “Pharaoh, Pharaoh,” “Friend Inside,” or…
While we know that the church is not defined by culture, we also know that it is – in a significant way – shaped by it. As generation after generation has stepped into the leadership of the church,…
Shauna Niequist’s new book, Present Over Perfect, has spoken some much-needed grace and freedom into the business (read: chaos) of my life over the last few months. Niequist reminds the reader that not all good things are necessary,…
After several wonderfully rich years working in full-time student ministry as a single woman, I married my husband, Steve, in June. Like most couples, we have had our fair share of squabbles regarding whose furniture gets to stay…
