Brian McGovern's Blog

Are Tattoos a Sin?

An Honest Look at Scripture and Context

Every time tattoos come up in Christian circles, Leviticus 19:28 is usually the first verse that gets quoted: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” On the surface, that looks like a straightforward prohibition. But when we study Scripture responsibly—looking at historical context, cultural practices, and the overall witness of the Bible—the picture changes.

What Leviticus 19:28 Really Addresses

The...

What now?

Easter was powerful.

Maybe you went to church because someone invited you, or maybe it just felt like the right time. Maybe you walked in with questions, hope, or just to see what it was all about.

But now it’s Monday. Or maybe you’re reading this on Tuesday, or even later. Life is back to normal (whatever “normal” means these days).

So… what now?

Don’t Let It End With a Holiday

Churches tend to put a lot into Easter Sunday. Extra music. A strong message. Maybe even donuts. But Ea...

Guiding Program-Sized Churches Through Leadership Transitions

Quick note before we jump in:
This post veers a bit from the usual focus of the blog. If you’ve been following here for a while, you know Jesus Uncomplicated is centered on making faith more accessible and less, well.. complicated. This topic, though, leans more into the church leadership and community health space; more in line with the second book I’ve written, Beyond the Bushel. Still, it’s rooted in the same heartbeat: helping the Church function in a healthier, more faithful way.

Church t...

The Night Heaven Came Down

I never thought heaven would come to a place like this—out here among the sheep, under skies stretched wide with stars. I’m just a shepherd. A man of dust and labor, unclean in the eyes of the temple men. They don’t see us when we pass by; we’re shadows to them. But out here, under the cold night sky, God sees us. I didn’t know it then, but oh… He saw us.

It was an ordinary night. The sheep were quiet, save for a few restless lambs. My friends and I sat close to the fire, our cloaks pulled ti...

Five things Jesus DIDN’T say

“Money is the root of all evil.”

Many people think this comes straight from the Bible, but the actual verse is a bit different. In 1 Timothy 6:10, it says, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” The difference is important because it’s not money itself that’s bad, but the love of it that can lead to trouble. This misquote changes the focus from the dangers of greed to just blaming money, which wasn’t the original point.

“God helps those who help themselves.”

A lot of ...

Embracing Action: Waiting on the Lord in the Advent Season

In the annual anticipation of the Advent season, we often hear the phrase “waiting on the Lord.” But let’s debunk a common misconception – waiting on the Lord is not a passive endeavor. It doesn’t mean sitting idly, expecting divine intervention without any active involvement on our part.

Much like the anticipation leading up to Christmas, waiting on the Lord involves a purposeful journey. As we reflect on this, we’re reminded of our own experiences, both in our daily lives and personal faith...

Unbiblical behavior… in the Bible!

Looking through the Bible, you may be surprised to see sinful behaviors described in it. How can this be, though? These people are literally in the Bible. They had to be good enough to make the cut, right?

On of my previous pastors was just discussing some of the failures of people in the Bible yesterday, and said, “The Bible has a lot of unbiblical behaviors in it, doesn’t it.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way. But we often think of the “characters” in scripture as people who were all “aft...

The Thief on the Cross: A Profound Lesson in Grace and Redemption

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

Luke 23:39-43

T...

Where Hope Meets Assurance

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Today we dive into a question that may resonate deeply with your faith journey: What happens if you die before Jesus returns?

Why the Question?
So, picture this: the Thessalonian believers were mulling over a common question – what happens to those who’ve passed away before Jesus returns? It’s a question that’s likely crossed the minds of many of us on our respective faith journeys. The apostle Paul steps in with some answers.

Resurrection Hope
First and foremost, ...

The Transfiguration: A Profound Glimpse of Jesus as Messiah

When we read the Bible, there are certain passages and events that are so profound, so deeply meaningful, that they deserve more than just a passing glance. One of these moments is the Transfiguration of Jesus. It’s a story that holds incredible significance, especially for those of us who believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

In case you don’t know what the Transfiguration is, don’t worry. The story is told in three different places:

Matthew 17:1-8Mark 9:2-8Luke 9:28-36

Here’s a...