“An intentional prayer life is the nonnegotiable constant of lasting, fruitful Christian life and ministry,” write Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer and Cameron Doolittle in Lead with Prayer. Unfortunately, most Christian leaders report having lackluster prayer lives. A 2005 study by … Continue reading First, Leaders Pray
There are moments when I almost despair at the state of Christianity in the United States. The percentage of Americans with no religious affiliation continues to increase, while the share of those identifying as Christian and attending worship services declines. … Continue reading Only by Prayer
Years ago, when my father served as general secretary of the Assemblies of God, he received a letter misaddressed to the Assemblies of Good. Dad always liked that name. Even if it was the result of an inadvertent spelling error, … Continue reading The Assemblies of Good
The Resurrection is the hinge on which Christianity turns. “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith,” the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14. Why would our preaching be useless? Because we … Continue reading The Hinge of Christianity
For many years, I have taken the turning of the calendar as an opportunity for reflection and resolution. I ask myself, What have I learned in the passing year? What do I want to accomplish in the coming one? Perhaps … Continue reading To Manage Time, Manage Attention
My favorite national holiday is Thanksgiving. It brings family and friends together around a table laden with food. The fact that my wife is an excellent cook makes it all the more enjoyable. Thanksgiving has a fourth F, though — … Continue reading Goodness and Gratitude | Influence Magazine
One of my favorite stories from the Gospels is found in Luke 24:13–35. Two disciples were walking the seven-mile road from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the first Easter Sunday. As they talked to one another about Jesus’ death and about … Continue reading Will We See Jesus? | Influence Magazine
It is often said that ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. I appreciate the point of the metaphor, which is that pastors need a sustainable pace of service. Even so, I wonder whether the comparison is too fast. The past 21 months of ministry haven’t felt … Continue reading Plod On | Influence Magazine
Recently, I posted a link on Facebook to an article about a controversial event, along with a tart comment on it. My wife texted me almost immediately: “Can you take down that post? Why would you even put it up … Continue reading Above Reproach on Social Media
A few weeks ago, I made a radical decision regarding social media. I was headed out the door for summer vacation but found myself in a bad mood because of Facebook arguments about the outrage du jour. Not wanting to … Continue reading Joy vs. the BUMMER Machine | Influence Magazine
GeorgePWood.com 