Blog
Transformation ...
Moving ahead ...
Looking more like Christ ...
Helping others to live it out
Here's a few thoughts. 
My Go-To Tool
A few years ago, I ran into a pastor friend at our favorite coffee shop, never knowing that it would transform my ministry. We were catching up about life and the ways we were serving. Our conversations are usually rapid fire back and forth, then on to the next topic....
Merry Christmas!
The first Noel. Those three words evoke a lot. Many start singing the next phrase in the Christmas song, “The angel did say…” Some may think of Christmas memories, Christmas scenes, or all the present-day accompaniments. It can also bring to mind a nostalgic picture...
The fall’s best surprise
This fall had a first. We were intrigued how it would go. There was a lot of pieces to fit together. We needed many players to help. The pace picked up with the tasks as we got closer. We wondered how it would go. The result was so gratifying. I am speaking of our...
Disciplemaking Story — Al Engler
🎙️ A Disciplemaking Story: The Journey of Al EnglerDane and Al sit down for the second edition of the "Disciplemaking Story." Al, a veteran staff member of The Navigators and former boss to Dane, shares a powerful story of his spiritual journey—from a military base in...
Infographic of my Ministry
Here's two ways to look at how I'm serving with The Navigators. I have my national service and my local. The first picture is on my national work on the Executive Team of Disciplemakers for Life (D4L) mission in the Navs. The role is leadership of the five ministries...
Disciplemaking Story – Tom Hammon
Today we're starting a series on disciplemaking. It starts with our own discipleship and moves towards making disciples ourselves. It's always a journey that we're on for the rest of our life. How do we learn to follow Jesus? How do we help others learn and grow and...
What I do
What do you do? This can be an awkward question we get. Some ask with genuine curiosity about the aspects of our job. Others, ask already coming with an assessment. When I did Young Life or even as pastor, people asked, “So what do you do with rest of your week?” Some...
Relationships are like Oil and Water
Oil and water don't mix, the old line says. If you put them together in a glass they separate. There's a there's a line right through them. Oil is on top and the water's down below. They just don't mix. In fact, sometimes they really don’t mix. Put oil and water in a...
Wrapping up 2024
Got any big themes that stuck out for you this past year? Some may pop into your mind as you read this, like the good or the bad or the annoying. Some of your themes will be missed if you don’t take some time to think it over. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is...
Half-Empty
At a recent meeting my friend said something surprising. …something that most people just do not say. We were unpacking the details of his ministry, and his off handed comment drew my attention. He shared, “You know, I really am a half empty kind of guy.” As he said...
A Different Focus
This note is going to talk about something different. I’ve been sharing about my national role with The Navigators …my Tonka Projects. As I have headed into the fall, I’ve been curious and hopeful about my local opportunities. A chunk of my time is set aside for...
Tonka Projects
I got a lot of gifts from my parents. Mom and Dad gave me good things at birthdays and special occasions. As I look back, they were enjoyed, then broke and thrown away. But not all had this fate. Here’s a picture of me with a Tonka Truck. These were way over...
The Great Commission …not my job
The Great Commission …not my job. Matthew 28:16-20 has become known as the Great Commission. It is Jesus’ last words and task he was handing off to his Apostles. Tasks like make disciples, teach, baptize. Do these wherever you go. This little group forged ahead,...
Faulty Information
Four AM in the morning Captain Samuel Johnson and a small party were sent on an important reconnaissance mission. They were told by their commanding officer to find the end of the enemy’s line. That would be the weak spot they could attack and out flank the opponent....
Seeing Movement
I returned recently from two sets of leadership meetings and a conference led by our African-American Network. The main discussion was how do we launch a disciplemaking movement. Worldwide missiologists have observed 1400 of them. They are a rapid advancement of the...
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