Pictured here is the foam off the edge of a wave hitting a rock on shore. What an impact that usually goes overlooked! Student ministries at all ages, in all churches, experience waves. However, what looks like just the foam off the edge of a wave in a large congregation, looks like the whole wave … Continue reading Riding the waves

Do you remember the middle school bridge building competition? It was in the spring of 8th grade, I believe. The teacher gave us toothpicks and Elmer's glue and instructed us to use the principles we had learned to attempt to build the strongest bridge. I don't remember all of the principles, but I do remember … Continue reading Build Bridges

Often when I visit with members of older generations about the possibility of connecting them with younger generations they share concerns about not being up to date or relevant enough, an idea that younger generations are uninterested in connecting with them, or a fear that they don't have anything of value to share or teach. … Continue reading Just Be Real

Check out Romans 12:9-16. Here Paul encourages Christians to truly love and care for one another regardless of social class. Most of our churches have some form of non-discrimination policy, yet as we look around at our congregations we see clear social circles. How many of our rural communities still have predominantly "black churches" and … Continue reading Social Circles