I recently read an article about how we’re all hooked on the Internet and smart phones and so we’re losing our ability to read books. It seems we can no longer focus long enough to engage in the skill of reading anymore. Jim Sollish of the...
The spiritual gift of encouragement is more than cheerleading or advice giving. It’s one of those essential spiritual gifts that people don't tend to notice they need until they get it. This gift is very important especially to spiritual leadership, which can become very lonely and...
Ministry is hard. It is not for the soft or lazy. But over the years I’ve watched many a leader burn out from busy sickness – a contagious bug that strikes servant leaders who try to do God’s work for him. It's contagious because you...
In my previous post I began taking a look back at some of the important lessons I learned having experienced two major outpourings of the Spirit. Here’s another one that’s helped me keep on track and stay balanced in the midst of seasons that are...
Being the Forrest Gump of the Vineyard I’ve lived through some amazing times including two major outpourings of the Spirit – The Third Wave and the Toronto Blessing. I consider myself blessed even though both outpourings had their problems and missteps. But nevertheless I benefited...
As I mentioned in my previous two posts, I don’t know quite how it happened but John and Carol Wimber took a liking to my wife and I. For some crazy reason that to this day I’ll never quite understand, they treated us like family....
Being part of the Vineyard has been an amazing storybook-like experience for me. Friends that know my story have called me the “Forrest Gump” of the Vineyard. You remember Forrest. He was a loveable naïve and rather slow-witted character that led this charmed life. He...
To say that John Wimber had a huge influence on my life is an understatement and to try to sum up his full impact can’t be done. But I recently was asked to share my favorite Wimber stories with a church who was unacquainted with...
Looking back over the course of my life there’s one thing that has influenced and shaped my life more than anything else. It might surprise most of you when I say that it wasn’t meeting Jesus and getting saved! What??? Yes. As momentous as that...
Back in January at the Vineyard South Central Region Pastor’s Retreat in San Antonio, Mike spoke on make or break heart issues that every servant leader faces. In this first of three talks he shares about heartbreak. Whether you’re a pastor or a lay leader you will...