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Rian Adams
A photograph is an odd thing. It captures a sliver of time, reducing the vastness of a life to a moment’s stillness. It takes the beauty of personal experience and presses it flat, stealing the scent of the air, the murmur of the world, the warmth of touch.What lingers is only an echo—a time capsule frozen mid-thought—of a hand curled around the wood and wire of a guitar neck and the burnished glow of nitrocellulose lacquer. But if compelling enough, a photograph stirs something in the mind, the heart even, and invites curiosity. Then…
St. Paul’s conversion is one of the most dramatic in Christian history, but his legacy is complex. While his writings shape much of our theology and liturgy, they have also been misused to justify exclusion. Yet Paul’s core message is one of radical grace—God’s mercy transforms even the most unlikely people. His life challenges us to practice patience, unity, and reconciliation…
Lessons on Hearing God from Elijah the Prophet. The noise never stops, does it? Notifications ping, tasks pile up, and stress mounts like a pressure cooker with no release valve. We sprint through life, juggling more than we can handle, hoping for clarity but often finding chaos instead. The whirlwind of modern life feels relentless. But what if the answers we crave—the clarity, the peace, the purpose—aren’t in the noise? What if they’re waiting in the stillness? That’s the lesson Elijah learned on Mount Horeb in 1 Kings 19. His story is raw and…
Only 45% of U.S. adults identify with a Christian church, marking a steady decline in recent decades, especially among younger generations. In these days of profound change, the rise of hollow sentimentality underscores the dire need for spiritual guides who do more than curators of nostalgia. Faith communities deserve visionary shepherds, prophetic voices, and wise navigators—true leaders, not tour guides for yesterday’s glories…
Bridging Business Acumen and Pastoral Care for a Balanced Ministry– I’ve written, rewritten, and edited this post countless times over the past six months. Finally, after a nudge from a good friend (thanks, SC+), I realized it was time to share. Executive function and pastoral leadership come up often in conversations about business and ministry, and they frequently overlap. This post aims to explore that overlap, acting as a conduit (or perhaps a capacitor) for insights into pastoral leadership through the lens of executive function. My blog, The Priest and the Paradox: Walking Between Worlds, reflects…
Embracing Unified Purpose: A Path to Collective Growth— Have you ever wondered why the church, a symbol of unity and togetherness, sometimes operates in silos? Well… we didn’t learn it from Jesus… or Paul… or Peter… so where did this division creep in? Churches often strive to embody unity and shared purpose, yet they may encounter challenges when ministries operate independently. This divide can hinder the church’s overarching mission and community impact. By breaking down these silos, and fostering a spirit of collaboration, churches can create a more harmonious and effective ministry. Emphasizing shared goals…