Mitch is the Senior Pastor of North Haven Church in Norman, OK. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern State University, a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University. Mitch is married and has two sons.
The Associated Baptist Press ran a story this week by Norman Jameson , editor of the Biblical Recorder, discussing the stressful climate many churches are facing these days. While interviewing Bill Wilson, newly appointed director of the Center for Congregational Health, it was noted many congregations are facing a myriad of crisis that are threatening their relevance and jeopardizing their local and global witness.
Yesterday afternoon, I hit a wall...not literally...but the wall most ministers hit when working forty straight days leading up to the grand celebration of Easter morning. Yesterday afternoon, sitting at my desk looking at my calendar, my shoulders began to sink, my eyes blurred, and my mind began to go fuzzy. I knew quickly that my symptoms meant one thing, and one thing only. I was coming down with the Post-Easter Blues (PEB).
Vickie Brown, associate editor of the Missouri Word and Way, asked this question, “What is the role of laughter for Christians?” In her article, picked up by the Associated Baptist Press, Brown tries to offer an answer to her own question. Laughter is a therapeutic output that offers a release of tension and stress that we all need...even us frozen flocks of the church.
For the past forty days, members of NorthHaven Church have taken us on a journey of self-exploration and divine-discovery. The NorthHaven Lenten Readings and Writings 2010 empowered us with Scriptures and inspired us through the words of fellow pilgrims. It was my great pleasure to be part of such a dedicated group of writers, editors, and friends. Your thoughts and words brought the finals days of Jesus’ ministry to an extraordinary conclusion leading to the celebration of Resurrection morning.
As the eastern sky rises above the horizon this morning, our minds drift to the garden tomb where a weeping young woman can be heard.Tears mixed with an occasional chirp from a nearby bird, the woman can be seen lowering her head in mourning.Her teacher, her Lord, is gone.Through her sobs and through her tears, she hears a voice.It simply says, “Mary.”In that one brief moment, we hear the Lord’s voice that breathes hope for all eternity.
On this day, in which fellow and faithful Christian pilgrims around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we find ourselves at the end of our journeys.Lord, it has been a challenging road to travel and a narrow way to squeeze through, but this journey has changed our lives.Walking in the footsteps of Jesus demonstrates that Your love is bigger than our imaginations and deeper than our understandings.
Therefore, as we make our way to our holy sites this morning, we do so with a mass of memories in our minds.We are reminded of all of the people Jesus loved, those He healed, those He reached out to with kindness, those He rebuked because of their selfishness, and the road that took Him to Golgotha.Yet, we find ourselves this morning back at the garden tomb with Mary, wondering in silence if we truly believe He is alive.If only we could hear his voice.Lord, on this day, may our ears hear Your voice.May we feel Your life within our own.May we celebrate the living presence of Jesus in this world and in our hearts.
It is Resurrection Morning, therefore let us shout with praise that Jesus is alive!Amen.
Yesterday afternoon, I hit a wall...not literally...but the wall most ministers hit when working forty straight days leading up to the grand celebration of Easter morning. Yesterday afternoon, sitting at my desk looking at my calendar, my shoulders began to sink, my eyes blurred, and my mind began to go fuzzy. I knew quickly that my symptoms meant one thing, and one thing only. I was coming down with the Post-Easter Blues (PEB).
Vickie Brown, associate editor of the Missouri Word and Way, asked this question, “What is the role of laughter for Christians?” In her article, picked up by the 
For the past forty days, members of NorthHaven Church have taken us on a journey of self-exploration and divine-discovery. The NorthHaven Lenten Readings and Writings 2010 empowered us with Scriptures and inspired us through the words of fellow pilgrims. It was my great pleasure to be part of such a dedicated group of writers, editors, and friends. Your thoughts and words brought the finals days of Jesus’ ministry to an extraordinary conclusion leading to the celebration of Resurrection morning.
As the eastern sky rises above the horizon this morning, our minds drift to the garden tomb where a weeping young woman can be heard.