While I was not able to attend a recent theology conference with a number of our members that drilled down on God’s providence, I was able to see the same in the United Arab Emirates. In addition to visiting with a family Westview has sent there, I got to travel to the city where Christian influence in the country began. From that city, God’s providence has brought about a ripple effect that has r...  Read More

Unity within a church is no small matter. It’s why Paul starts there with the Corinthians in their slew of problems (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). It’s why Paul returns there in his drawn out illustration of the body (1 Corinthians 12:24-26). The significance of unity is emphasized in the warnings and admonitions as well. Some of the strongest denunciations are reserved for divisive people (Romans 16:17...  Read More

During the Memento Mori service, we walked together through three movements which each included three focuses: hearing from God’s Word, confessing our sins before him, andsinging in remembrance of his mercy. These movements were ordered around three divisions the Apostle John gives us for sin (or “all that is in the world”) in 1 John 2:15–16. The passage reads, "Do not love the world or the things...  Read More

Do you remember the “communion pods” churches used in the midst of COVID? They were shaped like those little shelf-stable coffee creamers and had two layers of tabs. You peel back the first one to access the wafer that was more like styrofoam than bread. Then you peel back the second tab to uncork the overly sweet juice. We were glad to move away from those and to something a little more normal.Mo...  Read More

Reading is one of those things that most people would like to have done but struggle to do. We would love to “have read” many good books but find it hard to get them read. I want to share some thoughts that have inspired me to create a reading practice, as well as share some practical tips that have helped me get through a lot more material with great benefit. It’s worth asking the question here, ...  Read More

As you walk through the Minneapolis Institute of Art, you may notice a recurring element in the paintings. It’s the same prop that likely comes to mind if you were to imagine a solo actor on stage in a Shakespeare play. That common element: a skull. It’s not there though due to a morbid fascination with the macabre. Rather, it serves the same purpose as our upcoming “Memento Mori” service. Let me ...  Read More

This week a small contingent from Westview joined in what has been a long-standing annual experience: attending the Bethlehem pastors’ conference. It is always helpful in drilling down on a theme to continue to grow as a pastor. It’s also refreshing to catch up with other pastors who are serving across the Cities, the country, and the world. Here are a few takeaways for you, Church. This particula...  Read More

In the movie Finding Nemo, the absent-minded sidekick is a blue tang fish named Dory. She is endlessly forgetful and relentlessly optimistic. She has one repeated principle for life, "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming." You could say she would agree that you have need of endurance (cf. Hebrews 10:36). We would do well to apply Dory's principle to our en...  Read More

One of my favorite places is Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I try to make an annual trip to enjoy all that this stunning landscape has to offer. There are amazing views, fantastic fishing, and the opportunity to experience the calm and quiet of being miles deep into dense wilderness, far away from the hustle and bustle of civilization.  Read More

Last Sunday was a full day with our regular service in the morning followed by lunch and encouraging church meeting. One downside I feel with those days is the splendor of the passage we looked at in the service gets eclipsed by the other updates and discussions in the meeting. Let’s return to some of those particularly glorious details.  Read More

A few weeks ago, I got a chance to talk to the kids Sunday school class for a few minutes about memorization as I will be helping them with their memory verses going forward. Rather than start right away with the first verse, I took this first week to encourage them that scripture memory is worth it and that even adults like me use lots of strategies to help them learn it and retain it.As we will ...  Read More

The concept of a “regulated free market” approach to ministry comes from Jamie Dunlop. The idea builds on the economic system where goods and services are developed and sold in accord to supply and demand. Have a valuable good or needed service? That assessment will be confirmed by demand. If no one wants to buy what you’re selling, either it isn’t needed or the concept needs more work. However, t...  Read More