Interviews

Gene Appel: Do Less Ministry; Reach More People

None of the programs at our church were bad in and of themselves. The volume of it just prevented us from being focused on building relationships with those who are far from God. So, we had to do less ministry to reach more people. It sounds funny, but people had to be trained in how to do life with nonbelievers or people spiritually disinterested.

Mark Sayers: The False Promise of Platforms

A platform society equates visibility with influence. But it doesn’t really align with the kingdom of God mentality.

David Kinnaman: And Now for Some Good News

The inevitability, the inexorable decline of Christianity, is not a done deal. It’s not as though there’s been a complete turnaround and everyone’s a Christian, but there’s a real moment of spiritual openness that is translating now into this resurgence of interest in Jesus. It’s a big deal.

Pastoring Portlandia: John Mark Comer

“What a post-Christian world is making us do is get back to the the countercultural, revolutionary lifestyle of Jesus.”

Pastoring Portlandia: Rick McKinley

"The gospel is enough! We don’t have to sell out or hide in a self-protective group, shivering at the culture around us.”

Miles McPherson: ‘Our Culture Unfortunately Reaps What It Has Sown’

"I’m excited for the opportunity to reap the harvest as our culture unfortunately reaps what it has sown."

Jerry Harris: ‘Church Life Is Now an Alternative Lifestyle’

"Being different from the prevailing culture is the native ground of the church, and it’s exciting to think about what God might do."

Robert Morris: ‘Church Is Not About Competition’

"As I shepherd his sheep, I must lead as he’s called me to lead. I have an audience of one—and that’s God."

John Van Pay: The Simplicity of America’s Fastest-Growing Church—Part 1

"If you can stay the course, you see the lives of people change and that changes everything in the church.”

John Van Pay: The Simplicity of America’s Fastest-Growing Church—Part 2

“The simplicity of our model trusts that kingdom work happens best when our small groups are unleashed and not managed.”

J.D. Greear: ‘I See Many Churches Failing to Play Their Part’

"Our Enemy wants nothing more than to use good things to distract us from the one essential thing: our focus on the gospel."