Recently I’ve received some flak for using the phrase “amazing leader” too much. In my opinion, encouragement is most needed in helping pastors keep their head above water. Therefore, I like to publicly praise them when they are doing something really well. However, there are voices on social media that hide behind anonymity who like … Continue reading Amazing Leaders
Jesus was a refugee. Born on the run due to intense persecution, he entered the world with no place to call home. He was executed as a leistaí (λησται). This Greek word implies that he was accused of being a bandit, a rebel, and an insurrectionist. Jesus was none of these things, but make no … Continue reading Refugees and Terrorists
Dare I say, most of us are investing our first and best, our most and our fullest, in two areas: (1) Our careers, and (2) The life that the money our careers bring us. That’s it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine to earn a living, but if that’s the goal line, you will never … Continue reading Duck Church
Here we go again. Election year! It’s time for all the good Christians to start arguing over presidential candidates and shrouding Jesus in the American Flag. So many people genuinely believe that somehow their nominee is going to miraculously save the world (that’s already been done; that party was represented by a Lamb, not an … Continue reading Jesus for President
Social justice is a phrase that’s received a lot of attention in the church in recent years. The phrase itself calls us to a deeper awareness of the need for a “just society.” It hearkens the words of our Savior, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” As … Continue reading Social Justice Begins Here
Tribal name: Nazarene. Tribal mission: Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations. Tribal values: Christian, Holiness, Missional. My tribe, the Church of the Nazarene, is typically described as faithful, loving, hard-working people engaged in the mission of God in the world. However, as we transition further into postmodernity new dynamics are unfolding that are testing the … Continue reading Tribal Trichotomy
When I was young I loved seeing rainbows after a good afternoon thunderstorm. Not only was it a beautiful display of God’s handiwork, it also reminded me of many Sunday School lessons about God’s promise not to destroy the earth with a flood. Rainbows are covenantal; they carry divine significance. “I have set my rainbow … Continue reading Rainbows and Rebel Flags
I love a good fight… always have. I learned a long time ago that a good fight is where you give everything you have and a bad fight is anything less. I remember my first schoolyard scuffle as I defended my little brother from a neighborhood bully. I walked away with a bloody nose, but … Continue reading The Good Fight
People like to put us down… Talkin’ bout my generation! The WHO began screaming those words in 1965 as young people were trying to find their place in society. Every generation since has continued the quest to find their footing. These lyrics resonated with the Baby Boomer generation. Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) are people who … Continue reading Generation Gap
Transparency is essential for effective leadership. It is also a necessary attribute of holiness. As a pastor, over the years I’ve chosen to be very transparent with staff and ministry leaders, and many times probably too transparent from the pulpit (I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve). However, there have also been times … Continue reading Transparency and Confidentiality
Brian L Powell 