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When You Introduce Yourself to a New Couple the Second Time
It happened to me (again) this past Sunday. That awkward moment when you introduce yourself to a new couple at church, and they tell you they met you last week. Mike and Shelly. I won’t forget their...
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7 Reasons Why I Love Joy Prom
Think of the happiest, funnest, most memorable prom that you can remember. Multiply that by ten, and you have the Joy Prom. Last Saturday I attended the Joy Prom, an event I’ve had the privilege of...
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Why Your Church is Like Rotten Tomatoes
One of my favorite apps on my phone is Flixster, which lets me view upcoming movies and trailers. More importantly, before I make the decision on whether to watch the movie, I look at the Rotten...
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A Reminder of the Good We Can Do in the World
Several weeks ago Mt Vernon hosted its second annual Joy Prom for the special needs community. Here’s the highlight video. Use it as a way to start your weekend on the right note!
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Dealing with Unspeakable Tragedy
Recently my town suffered a devastating loss as two young boys were killed in a tragic ATV accident. North of us friends and families in Oklahoma are walking through the utter devastation of an F-5...
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A Reminder of What Happens When You Give
Carla* is new to Christianity. A young adult now, she didn’t grow up in a churched environment. Coming to Mt Vernon for the past month, she’s experiencing the newness of Christianity with a welcoming...
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10 Practical Ways to See Southern Baptists Flourish Again (Part 1)
As I write this post the Southern Baptist Convention is having its annual meeting in Houston, TX. Unfortunately, as Ed Stetzer (President of Lifeway Research) so eloquently put it in the Pastor’s...
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10 Practical Ways to See Southern Baptists Flourish Again (part 2)
In honor of the recently held Southern Baptist Convention, yesterday I began to share ten practical ways that Southern Baptists can flourish again. Our convention has done a tremendous job fighting for...
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What Summer Camp Meant to Me
This morning I’m up in Nashville visiting our students at M-Fuge summer camp. Besides brushing up on my ultimate frisbee skills, I look forward to hanging out with them and building some relationships...
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Why We Do What We Do
As a follower of Jesus, we’re called to love loudly, serve others, and boldly share our hope in Christ. Sometimes we see the harvest, sometimes we don’t. But we love anyways, trusting that God is using...
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Park Stevens Funeral Message
This past Saturday, I preached at a funeral for one of our college students who tragically lost his life. Over 700 were there for the service, but for those who missed it, or for those who’ve ever lost...
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How a Playdate Can Change a Life
It’s the little things that can change a life. A few weeks ago at Mt Vernon Church, we had the privilege of baptizing Jennifer. What I love about her story is how it all hinged on a divinely appointed...
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Please Pray for Colonial Hills Baptist Church
Over the weekend, a horrific bus accident killed three adults and an unborn child. The youth group from Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis was merely a mile from home after spending the week...
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30 Things I’m Thankful For at Mt Vernon
I write a lot about life and ministry on this blog, but every once in awhile I need to stop and brag on the incredible people I get to walk alongside at Mt Vernon. If you don’t attend Mt Vernon, you...
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Why First Impressions Are So Important
This past Sunday my wife and I were out of town and had the opportunity to visit another church (something I rarely get to do as a pastor). The city where we were staying had several large and famous...
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Why You Need to Be in a Small Group (And Why I Love Mine)
Mt Vernon Church is big on LifeGroups (our uber-hip renaming of Sunday School), and here’s why: real community happens in circles, not rows. Our Sunday morning services are obviously the front door...
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Stories of Hope (Why I Do What I Do)
Yesterday at staff meeting (whoop whoop!) we went around the table and shared stories about how Mt Vernon is living out our purpose of “creating contagious communities of hope.” The stories I heard...
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Mark Junkins Funeral Message
Yesterday I had the heart-breaking privilege at preaching Mark Junkin’s funeral. He was an incredible man who left a lasting legacy with his family, his church, and throughout the world. You can watch...
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One Ministry Every Church Should Have
Yesterday at Mt Vernon I received a comment from a first time guest that I hear at least once or twice a month. Speaking with a new guest about their experience so far at church, this gentlemen...
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Why Adult Sunday School Can Hurt the Church
Now, before you start throwing rocks the size and shape of your LifeWay quarterly, hear me out. Having grown up in churches with Sunday School, and now pastoring a church that doesn’t have a...
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