My first role as an Executive Director was for a social innovation movement in Durham, NC. Bull City Forward was started by the visionary Christopher Gergen. The mission was to innovate for the greater good. I took over as the organization was going through its transition from a firebrand for Durham’s social entrepreneurial spirit to … More Forward

We’ve gone upward and inward – we’ve sought and found humility and authenticity. We are grounded and renewed. What now? Wasn’t that enough? It’s now time to go outward. It’s time for practice and the creation and piloting of ritual. It’s time to get feedback on the sapling self. A renewed and humble approach to … More Outward

For Christians around the world today is Holy Saturday – the day before Easter. For Jesus’ disciples and followers it was the day after the crucifixion of their Lord. It was a day of great uncertainty, confusion, and fear. For Jesus it was the day when he lied dead in a dark tomb. Whether you … More Inward

Looking up is positional. It means you acknowledge you are not on top. There is a higher place. There is a better vantage point. Looking up is necessarily an action born of lowliness. No matter your station in life, you are accountable to someone or something. Whether it’s a boss, a board, a parent, or … More Upward

Decision making is more consequential than it was when I was younger. The stakes are higher. In my youth, my decisions were about me. Now, decisions are about my family, my church, the 20-person organization I lead, and my community. What I decide affects many more lives than just my own. Therefore, how I decide … More Upward. Inward. Outward. Forward.

The most cited biblical verse about faith is Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.“ Very rarely does anyone cite the final verse of chapter 11, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none … More In God’s hands vs. a hand from God

Unknowingly, I made a comment to one of my teammates that was taken as offensive. Thankfully, this person had the professionalism and courage to come talk to me about it. It was a difficult but fruitful conversation. In addition to coming to an understanding, the lesson I learned is that when leaders learn from mistakes … More The pains of growing as a leader in front of everyone

How can can bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Innocent people are suffering all over the world. Why? For the theist, especially Christians, God is on trial for this. “How can you, All Powerful God, who could wipe away all the suffering in a moment, allow … More The finger is pointed at you

Part of being alive in the Lenten season – remember, Lent the “lengthening of things” – is figuring out how to use the extra sunlight. Spring break is here which means different things to each of us. Some are destination-driven with our kids, others are using the time to party in exotic places. Some of … More Relax

Last night, I shared a small stage with a handful of city leaders in a discussion about social justice and the role of the church in the achievement thereof. The notion of “social justice” is hotly contested within the church, with some saying that it is a secular distraction while others claiming its centrality to … More Reclaiming Social Justice