The birth place of our creativity is so important. We see something that we believe we can make a difference in, we have an idea, an invention or simply a new way of doing something that is going to make things better, but what motivated us to see this? Is it hurt or hope? I find the two positions will often effect the outcome. I also find they are worlds apart. Living with hurt, instead of forgiving, allowing God to heal it and moving on into wholeness, produces an overw

Genesis 25:29 - “One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry.” Deuteronomy 25:18 - “They attacked you when you were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who were straggling behind. They had no fear of God.” The Small Town Church Leader, especially in the beginning years, is usually the ‘I Can Do It All’ person. They know how to run the sound, they have keys to every lock, they design the Sunday experience, th

One of the things my wife, Melinda, and I have found about leading a church in a small town is that everybody knows everybody. Ok, though I know that isn't literally true, in a town as small as ours, it sure seems that way. This wasn't a surprise to us because we grew up here and moved back to plant VC2 after being away for almost 20 years. I can't tell you how many times I was asked, "Now whose boy are you?" People are so interconnected in this area; this can be a great thin

Sheryll and I have been married over 40 years and have been senior pastors for over 25 years. During that time we have seen 3 children grow up, get married and give us 7 grandkids. As our kids grew up, we went through the normal highs and lows of parenting-- basking in the glow as our wonderful children achieved amazing things and shrinking back in horror and disbelief when one of our ‘perfect children’ discovered previously unknown depths of depravity. We have served in ever