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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Advocating for Justice | Jeff McWhorter’s Documentary
I have a friend in need, and you can help! Below is a call for action from my friend Jeff McWhorter: —- Here is the deal. For my senior thesis at UT, I made a 10-minute…
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Aaron Ivey – Between the Beauty and Chaos
You for sure need to download this album if you haven’t already (click the image above or here). Aaron has been leading our church in worship through these songs, and they speak powerfully to the greatness…
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Discipleship | Part 5
In this post, I’m going to focus on the basic tools I use to teach people. Tools Doctrine Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem has been especially effective for believers who need to grow in the understanding…
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Discipleship | Part 4
Other posts in the series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 Process Continued Demonstration As individuals are involved in my life and ministry, they are able to see how I am engaging in these disciplines myself,…
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Calling | TheResurgence
I thought about posting an excerpt the following post, but it’s short and you should just read the whole thing. The Confusing Language of “Calling,” Part 1 | TheResurgence This goes in line with what I…
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Discipleship | Part 3
Other posts in the series: Part 1, Part 2 In this post, I’m going to focus on the process of discipleship. That is, over time, what does the relationship look like in stages. This is the…
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Pray for the Fatherless on Father’s Day
My wife and I have been going through foster care training through Arrow Child and Family Ministries, and Father’s Day has given me such an awareness of the fatherless today. I am praying that God would…
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Hyperlinks – 6.20.09
Just a few quick links of sites I am currently benefitting from: Church Crunch – John Saddington consistently delivers great content on technology and church. What’s Best Next – Great tips on productivity with a biblical…
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Discipleship | Part 2
As I mentioned in the first post, Matthew 28:18-20 presents a succinct calling to discipleship, and forms the basis of my methodology. In this post, I’m going to give the overview of how I pursue discipleship…
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Tough Questions
There is a huge difference between knowing an answer from scripture and applying it pastorally to peoples lives. The past few weeks, I have been wrestling with God’s word over the issue of remarriage, as I…
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Fighting for the Flock | TheResurgence
I loved this quote from JD Greear, and pray that I continue to have the courage to fight for Jesus’ most prized investment… A Good Shepherd Fights A good shepherd takes on the wolves that threaten…
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Discipleship | Part 1
As I mentioned previously, I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at The Austin Stone’s Summer Conference called “The Kingdom is at Hand”, and the panel was a breakout for the practice of discipleship…