LifePoint recently completed a weeklong prayer campaign. We focused on two aspects of prayer and two kinds of praying. Our theme for the week stated: “Prayer is the first act of love, the first labor of mission.” Intercession is the first act of love, where we seek to bring God to the needs of people,...
Human trafficking blows across the Ozarks leaving destruction comparable to natural disasters, affecting thousands annually, yet remains largely unrecognized. Springfield Business Journal recently published an opinion article entitled “Human Trafficking is big business in the Ozarks”. The article confronts the prevalent opinion that the Ozarks couldn’t possibly be that affected by this criminal industry....
Note: This is the second article addressing challenges in church planting. You can read the first here. Planting churches means working through challenges that arise. Working through these challenges reveals the real grind of mission that heightens a demand for the Gospel, within individuals and a congregation. The whole church must work through these...
Church planting creates chaos and confusion. I am reminded of this reality any time I get near a church plant or listen to a church planter. People hate chaos and confusion. The demand of leadership can cause an intense aversion to it. I am convinced that this is one main reason why so many leaders steer clear...
Summer is an interesting season in American culture, typically known for major schedule shifts, vacations, late nights and the like. Summer too often assumes a “check out” mentality rather than a “strive toward” attitude. Several years ago I began to implement a strategic shift in my sumer schedule. Several factors contributed to allow this shift....
Cynical people infect other people. Hurting people hurt other people. Broken people weigh down other people. Sin-driven people drive other people to sin-shaped actions, thinking, attitudes and habits or patterns. Jesus pursues, heals, mends, ransoms, rescues, reconciles, restores and redeems by the power of the Gospel to walk in faith in the Truth of God’s...
Pastor Lane continues the “real Christ-follower” series in which he considers the Christian identity of Worshiper, Servant, Disciple, and Missioner through prayers in the Psalms. This second sermon is the prayer of a Servant which begins with three key concepts for understanding what it means to to be a servant of God and then...
Sunday, October 6, marked the ninth anniversary of LifePoint Church. Testimonies of God’s redeeming work filled the day’s celebration. The public testimony of baptism was an exciting part of the day as we baptized ten people, one for each year and one to grow on. This video captures six baptism testimonies, including four children...
Nine years ago when my wife and I took that first step to follow Jesus and plant a church, I could not have imagined the excitement it would bring in our lives. There was plenty of “fear of the unknown,” but I only vaguely remember it. I can, however, vividly recall the excitement God...
I love the Easter season. It is always a busy time of year. The first sign of spring at my house is the wild cherry tree in my back yard as it fills with cotton white blooms. Life springs anew. As a pastor, there is another reason I love this season. I love to...