Honeymooning at A...

Weddings & Gas Chambers Auschwitz might seem like a strange place to visit on a honeymoon trip, but that is exactly where the honeymoon journey my wife and I took through Eastern Europe brought us. We went from a wedding party to a gas chamber in about a week. Midway through our tour we stayed in Krakow, Poland for a couple days. From there, a day trip to Auschwitz was an optional excursion tourists could pay extra m...

4 Words that Will...

I used to write off guys I would hear talking about the need to develop Vision, Mission and Core Values for churches as corporate, market-driven sellouts. I had all kinds of snarky comments to make about how they needed to put down their copy of Entrepreneur Magazine and pick up their Bible. The “How” Question And then something crazy happened- I actually got into vocational ministry! When I became a senior pastor at...

The Importance of...

Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than having no sight, is having sight, but no vision.” So what is vision? Biblical vision is seeing what God wants you to see. God sees all things and I see very little. There are times when God enables me to see what He sees for His glory and purposes here on earth. In 2 Kings 6 Elisha prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant to see. Up to this point, the servant co...

When Is It Time T...

"Know When to Fold ‘em!” Though I wouldn’t refer to myself as a mountain biker, I do own a nice bike and have ridden a few trails. In doing so I quickly learned a valuable trail-riding lesson that I’ve come to see as helpful in ministry too. Avoid ruts! I’m sure that an avid off-road enthusiast would school me on how great it is to ride ruts, but wisdom and a bit of personal experience has taught me otherwise. One of...

The Aftermath of ...

On January 7, 2015, in Paris, France, two brothers, Cherif and Said Kouachi, forced their way into the head offices of the satirical newspaper “Charlie Hebdo” murdering twelve people in a few minutes. They calmly retreated to their car crying they would avenge the ‘prophet,’ firing on anyone who had the misfortune of being in their way. And then they tore through the streets of Paris in a dramatic getaway. The police...

Link-Fest: Free B...

This weeks Link-Fest is dedicated to my Tofu eating friend Kellen Criswell (see below). These are some of the events and stories that caught our eye over the past week. As is the case with every Link-Fest our links do not constitute an endorsement. Events and Holidays: January 22-23, Catalyst Dallas January 24th, Gospel Coalition Women Ministry Leaders Training (OC, California) January 25th, The NFL ProBowl in Hawai...

Miracle Breakthro...

I was able to meet with President Obama! The kids and I were in a small office with him and he was gracious with his time, meeting for over 10 minutes. I told him that I had refrained from food for 3 days, praying and fasting, and that God had ordained this meeting. He shook his head and smiled. I told him that the kids and I prayed for him and loved him (that as Christians this is what we are to do). He said he need...

#AskBrianB

Welcome to the first episode of #AskBrianB, the new series that allows you to submit your questions via Twitter using the hashtag #AskBrianB. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUOkaPcSrTk&feature=youtu.be

William Wilberfor...

Throughout history, God has worked in mighty ways to transform society through individuals who were simply available and willing to be used for His glory. Such is the case with William Wilberforce, the great slave abolitionist who was a major force in what G.M. Trevelyan called “one of the turning events in the history of the world.” Wilberforce was born in 1759 in Yorkshire, England, into a family of wealthy merchan...

The Gospel, Slave...

How should the gospel mold your view of racial prejudice? Does the Bible condone or advocate slavery? In this video, Pastor Brian Brodersen gives thoughtful answers to these critical questions and addresses other issues related to racism and Christianity.

Civil Disobedienc...

This week America remembered the great legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his transformative movement that has changed our culture. Inevitably the question arises, “When is it okay for a believer to engage in civil disobedience, or at the least, a peaceful resistance?” While opinions may vary, I hope to add a few thoughts on the topic. One cannot discuss the subject of civil disobedience without first acknowledging...

How to Be a Good ...

1. We Are Dual Citizens God says that believers in Jesus Christ have citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19) and He told us to be good citizens on this earth (1 Peter 2:17). Jesus told us that we should render unto Caesar and unto God (Matthew 22:21). We have responsibilities in both areas. 2. Our Heavenly Citizenship Has Priority Christians must do all they can to be good citizens in the nation in w...

The Gospel & Raci...

As we approach one of the most recognized holidays in the Black community, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many people are reminded of what this spokesman for civil rights envisioned. I was not there on that August day, but I have been taught and reminded of how Blacks rallied together for FREEDOM. One thing that still resounds in all our minds is Martin Luther King’s speech, which began with the words, "I have a dream"....

FREE Training for...

$800 gift for your Youth or College Pastor! FROM CCBCE VAJTA, HUNGARY CCBCE is celebrating over 20 years of changed lives! It is our heart over the next 20 years to see another generation of missionaries. To help with this we are launching a new partnership program for Calvary Chapel senior pastors. We would like to bless you and your ministry by giving you $800 in scholarship units to give to your you...

Link-Fest: Januar...

It is time for another Link-Fest courtesy of the calvarychapel.com team and Josh Turansky. These are some of the stories that we have been talking about over the past couple of weeks. As is the case with every Link-Fest our links do not constitute an endorsement. Events and Holidays: Jan 18, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Jan 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan 20, Obama's State of the Union Speech Jan 27, Scott Turan...

The Greatest Need...

I hated youth ministry when I was in High School. I thought it was a joke. The things that were supposed to appeal to me just didn't. I didn't identify with dirt bikes jumping through fire "for Jesus" or the "crunchy", "edgy", "epic", electric guitars. I already had a belief that the church was a breeding ground for hypocrites and liars. I saw sales tactics and marketing schemes and it only added to my suspicion. Of ...

Preaching & Strat...

Strategic planning is an invaluable part of ministry. And, in my opinion, the strategic planning of a basic annual preaching schedule is a crucial task for every pastor who wants to maximize the impact of his preaching ministry. Now, before anyone freaks out, as a Calvary guy, I know that when I say, “strategic planning,” what many of you actually hear in your mind is the voice of a tiny conspiracy-theory blogger scr...