As I write this in the wee hours of September 14, I realize I am commencing this day my 36th year of ministry at Chapel Hill, a gift for which I will be eternally grateful. There is a wonderful and frenetic energy to Septembers around here as we launch another program year unhindered by the specter […]
Launching Luke
OK…here’s a little quiz. If you had to choose your favorite parable from Jesus, what would it be? How about your top two? Got them in mind? Now, magically, I will read your mind: The Prodigal Son…and the Good Samaritan. How’d I do? Even irreligious people have heard the stories of the Prodigal Son and […]
Ask your questions
I wonder if you had a moment this summer where it became obvious that the person in front of you was starved for community and needed a place to wrestle through their questions from the past couple of years? Perhaps that person is you? I’m so excited that Alpha launches again on September 21. Alpha […]
How to get connected at church
There is a lot going this fall at Chapel Hill! From LifeGroups launching, to Alpha and Celebrate Recovery on Wednesday Nights, Kid’s Ministry, Student Ministry, not to mention our weekly Sunday Services and a myriad of other things. I get that it can be hard to know where to plug in. I hope that you […]
Pardon the Interruption
I wonder if anyone else has been challenged by this “One Anothers” sermon series like I have? I know you have, because each week we get feedback from people sharing how they felt like this message was just for them. I heard someone comment to Pastor Mark that she felt bad that everyone else in […]
You’ve got this!
It was a communion Sunday. People were coming forward to receive the sacrament. I noticed one man in the line who surprised me. Because as far as I knew, he was not a Christian. He’d come to our membership class. He had been reading the Bible. But he was still an explorer. Or so I […]
Keeping Chapel Hill safe
A large part of our most recent Session meeting (the gathering of our Elders) was a conversation about security. I’m sure I don’t need to explain why this issue is near the top (or SHOULD be near the top) of every church leader’s agenda. On the list of “things we never learned in seminary,” I’d […]
How to love kids
Last week, I met with a couple who are planning to join Chapel Hill this fall. As they shared their individual faith journeys, they both pointed to a clear moment in their childhood when they knew they belonged to Jesus. Each of these moments happened at VBS. The Holy Spirit used flannelgraphs and Bible songs […]
Cyndi’s putting
Last Sunday Cyndi and I went to a BBQ that was held to say farewell to John Roberts, one of our dear and faithful volunteers, who is relocating to the land of Micky Mouse and alligators. The host family has a large putting green in their backyard with five holes. Tim, the homeowner, told us […]
How high can you climb?
Continuing the theme of yardwork from my last blog, this Monday was rhody and tree-trimming time. At one point, I was on a step ladder…with an 18-foot extension lopper…taking off branches that intrude over my roof. I mentioned this to a friend, who is about my age, who also still climbs ladders. He told me […]