The key is to understand what "criticism" really means before we tell people not to do it to the pastor. Because when we simply toss out "don't criticize the pastor" as some unquestioning edict without thinking through the nuances of what it actually means, we create a space where corruption, sin, darkness, false knowledge, and destruction can grow unchecked. [Click title to read more.]
Five Fundamentals For Deep Church Friendships
Over time, I've learned that there are five factors that determine the structure of godly friendships. Where one or more of these is absent, acquaintance-ships tend to reign over anything much deeper. [Click title to read more.]
“Invisible” Sins and Spiritual Window-Washing
I suspect sometimes our desire to appear righteous is greater than our desire to be righteous [Click title to read more.]
Ask Hard Questions, And Learn From The Silences
Awkward silences are always going to be endemic to church activities that involve question-asking. It'll happen sooner or later. The trick, I think, is not to ignore that silence or what it might portend. [Click title to read more.]
The Significance of the Letter
The breaking-down of difference simply to celebrate a shared Christian mission, or to work together, is I think much rarer than it used to be. [Click title to read more.]
We Cannot Fake Or Force Being The “Pleasing Aroma” of Christ
A godly aroma is a natural by-product of a godly environment. It can't be faked, and it can't be forced. It is something that is created with us, not something that we can imitate [Click title to read more.]
Marking The Seasons of the Christian Life: A Meditation on Ash Wednesday
For me, the turning of the seasons in Christian life functions the same way the turning of the natural seasons do: it's a reminder to shift focus, to regather my thoughts, to start anew. [Click title to read more.]
Allow Gaps Into Your Life
Empty spaces allow room for growth. [Click title to read more.]
Final Week of Jonathan Study Now Available!
In the end, becoming a great servant for God has more to do with consistent humility and submission in small, insignificant moments than it does with waiting for God to open some magical door to opportunity. [Click title to read more.]
What I Learned From Being Quiet
In the process of fasting from certain types of speech, I'm actually discovering more about how to speak: to be direct and kind, to think about why I'm saying what I'm saying, to make my words matter more when they come out. [Click title to read more.]
Samaritan's Song 