Writing
Essays and working ideas from more than fifteen years of writing about faith, leadership, discipleship, the church, family, and life in Austin.
Start here
New here? These four pieces offer a way into the writing: what shapes the church, how we lead, and how faith takes form in community. Begin with the recent essays, then explore the earlier work that helped shape those questions.
The church and the Spirit · 2026
The Organizing Principle of the Church
Start with a recent reflection on how spiritual gifts shape the church, and why I’m revisiting an old conviction about mission.
Leadership in practice · 2026
Leadership and Administration
Why leading people and bringing order to the work are gifts to recognize and steward, and what gets lost when we treat them only as skills.
Community and mission · 2013
What is a Missional Community? – Definition
A short introduction to the definition we used at The Austin Stone, and why a community of Christians is essential to a faithful witness.
Leading through change · 2013
Transitioning Your Church to Missional Communities
The opening of a practical series on our transition at The Austin Stone, with lessons about patience, learning, and the time real change takes.
For sustained explorations of a topic, browse the Selected Series.
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Missional community · Leadership · Christianity · Church · Personal · Austin Stone · Discipleship · Theology
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All writing
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Considering Multiplication in a New Missional Community
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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Thinking Critically About a New Missional Community
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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Establishing Healthy Rhythms
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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The Gospel Project and the ESV Bible
Last year, I had the opportunity to contribute to the formation of The Gospel Project with my friend Halim Suh. The Gospel Project is an integrated, flexible curriculum that presents a comprehensive gospel-centered theology for churches.…
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Considering a Preferred Future
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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The First Four Weeks of a New Missional Community
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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What’s Next For a New Community?
At The Austin Stone, the process of connection to multiplication follows a general pattern that usually takes approximately two years. It generally goes something like this: What’s Next? The First Four Weeks Processing a Preferred Future…
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Questions to Answer in Transition
I’ve primarily been focusing on missional communities over the last few months, but I wanted to take a quick break and post on another topic. Recently I’ve had a number of conversations with people who are…
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Missional Community Values – Declare
This series will explore the values that shape missional communities at The Austin Stone. These values are rooted in the gospel and driven by our motivations to love God and love people. In this series, I…
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Missional Community Values – Demonstrate
This series will explore the values that shape missional communities at The Austin Stone. These values are rooted in the gospel and driven by our motivations to love God and love people. In this series, I…
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Individualism is Dead…Or It Should Be
My friends over at ChurchLeaders.com recently ran an article I wrote. Below is an excerpt: I think, therefore I am. One simple phrase that Descartes penned helped define a worldview for a future generation. No longer…
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Missional Community Values – Prayer
This series will explore the values that shape missional communities at The Austin Stone. These values are rooted in the gospel and driven by our motivations to love God and love people. In this series, I…