Ps. 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You may not realize it, but every follower of Jesus Christ is under constant spiritual attack. Sometimes it is our health, or our finances. Sometimes it is our mind or emotions. Other times it is […]

We are very excited to announce the upcoming, February 2014 release of the book, Crisis Leadership. Personal Accounts From Leaders Who Found Their Way And Thrived. This project has been in production for nearly two years. It has been a joy working together with my co-editor and co-contributor Dr. David Fletcher of XPastor.org. Crisis Leadership takes […]

I heard and I forgot. I saw and I remembered. I did and I understood ~ JH Ranch Motto If you haven’t visited JH Ranch (http://jhranch.com/) you’ve got to checkout their website and programs. David Sumlin recently introduced this one-of-a-kind, life-changing adventure ministry. I am not aware of any other ministry that incorporates experiential learning […]

Drs. Joye Baker, Sue Edwards and recent D.Min. graduate, Dr. Jeanne Ballard share a common vision to see women engaged in ministry leadership training beyond the masters level. This vision was uniquely realized in the summer of 2008 when fourteen women began their D.Min. Women in Ministry degree. These women came from various parts of […]

Dr. Larry Waters is a seasoned servant leader with a contagious compassion for ministering God’s Word to those who suffer whether it be physical, mental/emotional, with addictions, or special needs. So thrilled that Larry and Daniel Thompson are teaching a vital doctoral seminar on developing biblical ministries to those with significant limitations and disability. The […]

Pastor Chad Sparks recently completed his compelling doctoral dissertation, “Case Studies of Selected Churches Utilizing Expository Preaching to Reach Unchurched Suburban Postmoderns.” Sparks argues that suburban churches can more effectively reach their growing postmodern communities through expository preaching as opposed to other preaching methods when two essential ingredients are evident in the preacher and the […]

Our oldest son, Davey (9) has been working on several creative projects. Below is one his latest Lego animation videos. Take a look! The story, voices, editing etc… are his work of art. I’ve helped him some on the technical side. Equipment included an iPhone 5 camera, a Lego-built tripod, a desk lamp, the Lego […]

Pastor Chris Freeland has written a phenomenal Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) dissertation on the critical topic of leadership succession in the local church. Entitled, The First Five Years: Critical Factors to the Successful Intentional Transition from a Long-Tenured Senior Pastor, Freeland highlights three essential factors for passing the baton forward to the next generation. If […]

We just finished up our DTS/SETECA January 2013 winter Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) residency in Guatemala City, Guatemala. It is true that we live in a broken, imperfect and fallen world. But it is so amazing to see God at work in and through his servants scattered across the globe. Check out the iPhone 5 […]

Is it even possible to lead a radically diverse team where each person sees things so different and still accomplish the mission? Better yet, what if we state the question another way. Is it even possible to accomplish the mission without a radically diverse team to lead? In 2005, my mentor Dr. John Reed (http://civilwarstories.org) […]

This past Tuesday, May 22, we gathered together as family and loved ones to celebrate the life and legacy of Glen Earl Barfoot.

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. ~ Deuteronomy 31:8 On a hot summer day several years ago I, my wife and our two boys went for a swim at the community pool. I had […]

Some time ago I enjoyed a conversation with a delightful person interested in our Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. The only concern was that he was pushing closer to eighty years old. He wondered if there was an entrance age limit. I listened carefully to his concern and after a short pause I questioned. “Do […]

I think Dr. John Maxwell has this one right. It is a hidden gem for decision making. Over the years I’ve printed this on the back of a card that has at various times sat on my desk, in my desk drawer, on the refrigerator and in the car. One year I printed a bunch […]

‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ ~ Luke 1:38a. We all have hopes and dreams that percolate deep in our souls. But what happens when God’s will cuts against the grain of our aspirations? This happened to Mary. Mary was a young woman preparing for […]

Understanding How Other Misunderstand You, co-authored by consultant and coach Ken Voges is an absolute must read. Whether you are a pastoral, educational or executive leader this work can free you up to better understand your own working style and also those that you partner with in the front-lines. A former professional ball player Voges […]

If you have an interest in church planting and multiplication on a global scale this is an inspiring conversation with a seasoned scholar-leader, Dr. Jerry Wofford. Jerry serves as an Adjunct Professor of Doctor of Ministry Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and is Professor Emeritus at The University of Texas at Arlington. Over the last […]

Helen Keller once was asked what could be worse than being born blind to which she replied, “To have sight without vision.” Indeed there is a big difference between sight and vision. Sight is what we see with our human eyes, while vision is what we see through God’s eyes. Sight is generated from our […]

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 If you and I […]

Ok. I’m not sure exactly what your situation is, but let me say this: God has to be in it for it to truly work. You need to ask yourself, “Am I trying to force this?” It is like doing a puzzle. You know if the piece fits or not. You know that you can’t […]

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10 While on the family farm in my teens, it was custom each year during springtime and once again in the fall for a group of about five or more of us to herd (without […]

Leading missional change in an established church can be one of the most daunting tasks of the ministry. And yet it is often through “crisis” that God brings renewal in ways beyond our human comprehension. In this informal roundtable discussion, Drs. Mark Yarborough, Rod MacIlvaine, Brad Smith, Andy Seidel and I explore how senior leaders […]

Life is short. It is like a vapor. It can be here one second and gone the next. That is the timeless message of one of the greatest leaders of all time. Anything you pursue, whether it be hard work, education, riches, power or pleasures as an end in itself is meaningless according to this […]

4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 At one time or another it is likely you too have wrestled with feelings of guilt for a […]

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway ~ Proverbs 8:34 Leaders face daunting tasks and delicate decisions daily. In the whirlwind of ministry how do you know you are making the right ones? It has been said that God gave us two ears, but only […]

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? ~ Galatians 3:3 If any church struggled with perfectionism it was the churches of Galatia. Paul became very concerned about the false teachings that added works as a requirement for salvation. It was no longer […]

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15 Some years ago Debbie, the kids and […]

He [Jesus] then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke […]

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9 Life and leadership is like an long, adventurous hike. It is much too significant and dangerous to walk it alone. If we are to reach God’s destination we need the support and encouragement of others along the way. […]

One Monday several years ago, while pastoring a church, I stumbled across John Piper’s Desiring God National Conference online archives. As I listened to a selected panel discussion, D. A. Carson’s word of encouragement was such a blessing. If you have the Monday blues or feel unsuccessful remember you are not alone. Go ahead and […]

Dr. Haddon Robinson recently joined our DTS Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) expository preaching cohort via Skype. If you don’t mind the iPhone recorded quality, and are looking to improve your preaching swing it is a great listen.  ~ Dr. Scott

“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ ~ Luke 19:17 Often times we get all caught up with the big decisions we face in life. It could be related to a relationship issue, career choice, health concerns or a how […]

While a Dallas Seminary student in the nineties I was introduced to long-term sermon preparation techniques. This is the process of planning a one year preaching calender. The purpose of the exercise was to help the pastor lay a framework for his message series, central biblical passages and big ideas. This learning experience enhanced my […]

Some time later God tested Abraham… “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” …When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there […]

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, […]

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. ~ Proverbs 18:22 I have received news over the years of marriages gone wrong. My heart aches at this common occurrence among believers. I know that I am not immune, nor can any of us “win” immunity in this matter […]

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9 There is something deeply fulfilling about making a dream become a reality. Indeed, envisioning, discussing, drawing plans, ironing out contingencies and then setting things into motion toward something of eternal value can ignite the soul. As great a dream […]

He [Christ] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ~ Colossians 1:17 Over the years I have found refreshment in listening to messages from the late Fred Smith Sr. on the topic of leadership. One area he emphasized was the importance of developing personal balance and emotional stability. “We can’t be […]

He loved them to the end… Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ~ John 1:1c, 3-4 Good to […]

They have forsaken me the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. ~ Jeremiah 2:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in […]