John Markum

My Second Church Plant

secondplantI didn’t understand this when I set out to plant LifeCity Church – I couldn’t have understood. But I would quickly experience a tension that I believe every church planter encounters. This tension if not understood will lead to frustration, disappointment, and ultimately defeat. The reality is this:

Every church planter actually starts two churches. Allow me to explain… Continue reading “My Second Church Plant”

Topical series, Expository sermon

topical expositoryMy formal training in homiletics (“the art of preparing and delivering sermons”) has revolved around yet another $10 word: “expository” preaching. Expository preaching is almost universally contrasted with “topical” preaching; and to such a degree that one is commonly viewed as superior to the other. Allow me to elaborate… Continue reading “Topical series, Expository sermon”

5 things we should all STOP doing

5 THINGS

  1. Saying the first thing we think. The Bible says in Proverbs 10:19, “In a multitude of words, sin is not lacking.” This is especially true when we shoot from the hip with our words. We can be down-right careless in our attempts to be witty, sarcastic, or snarky. We usually look back later regretting some of our quickly spoken lines. Instead of giving in to that impulse to fire back, let’s sit on it, think more clearly, and give a better answer.
    Continue reading “5 things we should all STOP doing”

The phrase no pain, no gain has been a mantra for athletes and fitness junkies for years. And what they understand about physical pain needs to be broadened to a much more general use in all of our lives. Pain hurts. That's the whole problem. No one enjoys it, and if someone does, we rightfully

The Premium of Pain