Easter Series Week 1 of 4 As Easter approaches, our attention naturally turns toward the cross and the empty tomb. But before the cross, there was a garden. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the weight of what was coming. Scripture tells us He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”  (Matthew 26:39). That moment was not about visibility. It was about obedience. Before the crowds. Before the trial. Before the cross. ...

This week, Pastor Joel and I are attending a Second Chair Conference. This weeks post is a reflection of today's discussions. As we discussed the role of the second chair (executive pastor) and the relationship between them and the lead pastor, we talked about the importance of trust, communication, and responsibilities. Being the nerd that I am, I couldn't help but think that the connection between a lead pastor and his executive pastor is much like the relationship between Captain Jean-Luc...

Leadership doesn’t always require dramatic courage. Most of the time, it requires steady strength. Not loud strength. Not visible strength. Not strength that announces itself. Just steady. The kind that shows up again tomorrow. The kind that holds the line when emotions run high. The kind that doesn’t react quickly but responds wisely. There are seasons in leadership when everything feels urgent. Problems stack up. Expectations rise. Decisions carry weight. In those moments, it’s tempting to...