Tyler Braun's Blog, page 24

A Church For the Community

In days long ago churches were built within neighborhoods, and were placed strategically as a unifying place and focal point for those within a certain community. As cars and mass transportation were introduced our understanding of aneighborhood has expanded greatly, and our church-going habits have changed along with it.

Instead of walking to the church down the street, now we have the ability to choose any church in town that fits us. Extrapolate this intothe internet-age and we can get our...

Two Bands You Should Not Miss Out On

I’ve been on a new music kick lately. Partly because some wonderful albumshave been dropped on us the past few months, and partly because I’m one of those people who says that new seasons call for new music.

I can think back to specific times growing up, and more than anything else I associate songs and musical genres with them. Here’s a couple new bands (to me) that I can’t get enough of, and I have a feeling you’ll appreciate them as well.

Johnnyswim

I must confess most of my new music recomme...

Do You Need to Feel It to Lead It?

The most common comment I get as a pastor and worship leader is, “I don’t know how you get up in front of people week after week, having something meaningful to say or lead with.”

I usually respond in a way that catches people off guard. “Well, I don’t. I can’t.”

Yes, it’s true sometimes I get on stage to read Scripture, sing a song, or preach a message, and the stage is the last place I want to be. I don’t feel inspired. I don’t sense that I have anything meaningful to say. But I go up there a...

The Pain of Art

20 months ago I shared my deepest, darkest secret to anyone who was willing to read my first published book. I didn’t even hide it on the last page, I placed it front and center in chapter one.

From the outset of writing the book I had no intention of sharing anything about my secret. In fact, before publishing the book less than 10 people knew about it. What began as sin, became a wound, and as I opened up to those 10 people I began to heal, but even still, a scar remained.

The day the book re...

A Comfortable Calling

A few months back I was catching up with a friend. We hadn’t spoke in over a year. He asked me, “so how are things at your church? How are you enjoying being a pastor?”

I paused.

I get asked the question a lot. I’m always unsure of how to answer. If this is someone from my church, or someone with connections to my church, I always wonder if I need to tread carefully in how I answer. The last thing I need is someone else coming up to me saying, “so you’re not happy here eh?”

In my answer I go bac...

The Insightful Leader

The age of the internet has overloaded our lives with information. For most individuals around the world, information is no longer about accessibility, but time. We can get our fingertips and eyes on anything, but we don’t have time to engage all of it. Not even close.

I had two hours free on a weeknight last week. I could have read a book. I could have read the 159 unread blog posts in my blog reader. I could have sit on the back deck eating ice cream. I could have turn on the basketball game...

The Myth of Jesus > The Bible

Some Christians refer to themselves as “Red Letter Christians.” The idea being that the words and ministry of Jesus should carry more weight than other Biblical teachings. They waste a lot of energy speaking againstBiblicismand Bible worship.

Others might speak toward this by saying, “the Word (Jesus) became flesh,” so any adoration toward the Word (The Bible) is idolatry. Meaning that Jesus deserves devotion, the Bible (outside of the words of Jesus) deserves none. Afew articles made the roun...

“See You Next Sunday!”

As a pastor I focus a consistent amount of my time toward connecting the unconnected, and then deepening the connected, within the church body. I want to focus on the first piece of this today (connecting the unconnected), and specifically I have in mind people who are new to the Christian faith, or new to a church body.

When it comes to new people and church life, most pastors just hope the new attenders show up again the next Sunday. “See you next Sunday!” as the people walk away. Maybe they...

The Process of Figuring Out What Really Matters

“That sounds great, but I don’t have time.” I hear this several times each week. On the surface we’re busier people than ever, and yet I can’t help but wonder if our busyness lacks purpose.

Typically what I hear through the maze of excuses is, “I don’t have any priorities.” Because this is the truth:

You make time for the things that matter.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you make time for the things that should matter, just that you liveout a list priorities in what you give your time and energy...

The Most Confusing Spiritual Discipline

From Tyler: Today I want to introduce you to Ed Underwood, a fellow pastor and blogger I spent some time with a few months back. He and I are going to host a short series together in a few weeks, but I wanted you to get to know him first. Here’s one of my favorite posts of Ed’s, describing how he endured his battle with leukemia.

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In my personal struggles misery has proven the toughest challenge. My battle with leukemia destroyed me because no spiritual resource or procedure was working.

Then I...