There’s a subtle lie that creeps into the church. It sounds like this:

“I’m not needed.”
Or sometimes, “I don’t really have anything to offer.”
Or, “I’m just here to be fed.”

Now don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with needing to be fed. We all start there. But at some point, spiritual maturity looks like grabbing a towel, not just a plate.

We are not called to be consumers of spiritual goods and services. We are called to be contributors to the Kingdom.

Do you have one of those sweet little wall hangings in your home? The kind that says something like “Serve One Another in Love”? We’ve got one in our upstairs hallway.

It’s a nice touch.

But it’s more than that, though. It reflects the sort of holy living Jesus invites us into.

Lately, I’ve been wondering—do I actually live this? Not just when it’s convenient or someone’s watching, but when it’s costly? When no one sees?

Pastor or Church leader, I realize that you’re in the thick of things right now. You’re looking for a program or curriculum that will fix the problems of your church.

But church health doesn’t start with a program. It doesn’t start with a new hire, a staff restructure, or a better website. It doesn’t start with kicking out the “problem people” of your church.

Everyone who sets foot in your church is looking for community. Some are new, still feeling things out. Others have been attending for years, maybe even decades. But we all share the same deep ache—for belonging, for family, for a place where we are known and loved. Why? Because we were made in the image of God, a perfect community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

But it becomes easy to disconnect because our experience of church community is often messy and uncomfortable. It’s full of letdowns and unmet expectations. Maybe you started ministry hoping to pastor a community of people that perfectly embodies Acts 2, but instead, you found a group of broken, frustrating, awkward, self-absorbed sinners.

To that I say, “Welcome to life in ministry!”

There’s a story about a young couple on a European tour. Their guide gave them one simple instruction: Stay close so you can hear my voice…

Many church leaders carry an enormous weight when it comes to decision-making. You don’t want to “miss” God’s will. You might even believe there’s a single, perfect blueprint for your church, and if you make the wrong move, you’ve ruined everything. You might even be reaching for a quick fix—a magic bullet—that will drastically change the trajectory of your congregation.

One of the most common questions I’ve heard as a pastor is: What is God’s will for my life?

It’s a question that carries weight. Church leaders, maybe you’ve asked it, too—not just personally, but for your congregation