I once asked Frank, a friend and successful financial planner, for the best advice he gave to his clients. I was shocked by his response: “Eric, I tell all my clients to calculate how much they earn during the first two work days of the month. Then I tell them to give that amount to … Continue reading The Best Financial Advice I Ever Received

This week, a mega-church in my hometown played an April Fools prank on the community. They announced the launching of their own craft beer brand as a way for them to connect with beer drinkers who don’t go to church. The video directed viewers to a website, which, if the investigated deep enough, one would … Continue reading What To Do When You Do Something Stupid (Even If It’s For Jesus)

In my last post, I wrote that we are called not to choose family OR mission, nor are we to try to balance family AND mission, but that Christ calls us to be families ON mission. The obvious question is this: “How do I do this?” In the ministry of Jesus, before He sent His disciples … Continue reading The BEST Way To Begin Mission In The Home

As a pastor, it can be really easy to focus entirely on mission through the church I lead while completely ignoring mission through the family of which I am a part.  However, no matter how great of a preacher, discipler, and spiritual leader I am in the church, my impact as a pastor pales in comparison … Continue reading Mission Begins at Home…But Doesn’t End There

I recently came across a video of a presentation done by Dr. Charles Arn, a professor at Wesley Seminary. In it, he described the results of a research study that had asked those who had come to faith in Christ through church why they showed up in the first place. You can watch the video by … Continue reading Forget The How Of Sharing Faith. Focus On The Who.

As a Lutheran pastor who did not grow up paying attention to the church year, there are powerful benefits to the liturgical calendar. At different times of the year, we are offered an opportunity for "disproportionate focus" on certain aspects of the faith. During Advent, we reject consumerism and lean into our hope for the Messiah who … Continue reading Why You Don’t Have To Celebrate Lent, But You Should!