LIFE UPDATE

Have you ever been on a Wild Goose Chase? There's something about the ancient Celtic people that just moves me deep in my bones. They saw the Holy Spirit not as a hovering white dove but as a “wild goose.” The wild goose is passionate, noisy, and courageous. The Celtic people saw how the Holy … Continue reading LIFE UPDATE

Book Review: 7 Lessons for New Pastors

Before we can make any plans for the church, we must know the sheep well.  Take every opportunity to become familiar with members of your church. Don't rush into your action plans too quickly. - from the book 7 Lessons for New Pastors, page 96 Matthew D. Kim wrote this helpful book after his first … Continue reading Book Review: 7 Lessons for New Pastors

Book Review: Making Room for Leadership

I have been called a bull in a china shop...on more than one occasion!  A friend, hoping to help, handed me this book to read...about four years ago.  To be honest, at that time I wasn't ready to openly evaluate myself and how I used my physical presence to influence others.  I was defensive and thought, … Continue reading Book Review: Making Room for Leadership

Book Review- The Contemplative Pastor

The pastor's question is, "Who are these particular people, and how can I be with them in such a way that they can become what God is making them?"- Eugene Peterson I'm currently in a "wait and see" season of life.  I've described it to a friend as feeling like a shepherd with no flock.  Our … Continue reading Book Review- The Contemplative Pastor

Big Changes for the Lindeen Family!

A little over two years ago, God called us to leave our friends and family in Colorado and move 1,000 miles away to Madison, Wisconsin, to become Church Planters. I came on staff with Converge Great Lakes (formerly known as Great Lakes Baptist Conference and part of the Baptist General Conference) as a Church Planting … Continue reading Big Changes for the Lindeen Family!

10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit

More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month.  Wow. I ran across this blog that shared some reasons why good pastors leave the ministry: Here are 10 common reasons pastors quit too soon. 1. Discouragement. Fifty percent of pastors report feeling so discouraged they would leave the ministry if they could. Complaints speak louder … Continue reading 10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit

Dealing with Discouragement

We all face seasons of doubt and discouragement.  Its just a natural part of the journey of life. As a leader and a pastor- I know its normal to feel discouraged but it doesn't make it any easier! Some thoughts for leaders (including myself!) who might be facing discouragement: 1.) We Have an Enemy Helping … Continue reading Dealing with Discouragement

Book Review: The Pastor by Eugene Peterson

For some reason, it took me about eighteen months to get through The Pastor by Eugene Peterson.  It probably had something to do with the fact that in that time frame we moved from Colorado to Wisconsin, helped plant a new church, I finished my M.A. in Theological Studies, and my wife and I had … Continue reading Book Review: The Pastor by Eugene Peterson