Mike Glenn reflects on the legacy of his father, "Big John," and the sacrifices that transformed his family's future. Through a pilgrimage with his own sons to the places where his father grew up in rural Mississippi, Mike illustrates how one man's hard work, faith, generosity, and determination broke generations of poverty and created opportunities for those who followed. More than recounting family history, the story honors the quiet influence of a father whose love was expressed through sacrifice, storytelling, and steadfast devotion to his family. Mike closes with gratitude for the privilege of being Big John's son and a heartfelt hope that he has honored his father's legacy.

Mike Glenn explores the biblical pattern that nearly every person God uses first passes through a season of wilderness. From Abraham and Moses to Jesus and Paul, the wilderness becomes a place where distractions are stripped away and God reshapes His people through silence, solitude, and dependence. Rather than seeing these seasons as setbacks, Mike encourages believers to recognize them as invitations from God to listen more deeply, heal, and receive fresh direction. The wilderness is never wasted, he argues, because no one leaves it the same person who entered.

Reflecting on conversations with his sons and the celebration of Independence Day, Mike Glenn argues that true freedom can never be separated from responsibility. Just as maturity requires accepting the consequences of our choices, liberty demands active stewardship of our communities, relationships, and nation. He points out that while many demand more freedom, few ask for more accountability. Connecting this to the gospel, Mike reminds readers that Christ used His freedom to bear the burdens of others, inviting His followers to do the same. Real freedom, he concludes, is found not in avoiding responsibility, but in embracing it through love and service.

Mike Glenn reflects on slowing down, rediscovering Scripture, and resisting the culture of constant productivity. Drawing from Cal Newport’s ideas on deep work, he encourages believers to approach the Bible with patience, attention, and presence. Rather than rushing to “get something” from the text, readers are invited to linger, journal, listen, and live out one truth at a time.

In this deeply personal Mother's Day reflection, Mike Glenn remembers his mother, a fiercely strong woman whose life was shaped by hardship, responsibility, and unwavering faith. From raising her sisters after losing her mother at age twelve to facing Alzheimer's with her trademark wit, she taught Mike resilience, courage, and how to pray with bold confidence. He credits her influence for preparing him to lead churches and navigate difficult people, but her greatest lesson was her unshakable belief that Jesus could do anything. Through stories both humorous and moving, Mike honors the woman who shaped his life and whose faith remained alive even when nearly everything else had been taken away.

Using Nashville's booming restaurant scene as a backdrop, Mike Glenn compares churches to restaurants and challenges leaders to think about the experience they're offering. Just as restaurants succeed by serving quality food and creating welcoming environments, churches must provide meaningful teaching, genuine community, and clear value for those who attend. Mike argues that while the gospel never changes, methods must adapt to meet the needs of changing communities. Churches that understand who they are, serve people well, and make guests feel valued are far more likely to thrive and make a lasting impact.

After stepping away from full-time ministry to launch the Engage Church Network, Mike Glenn reflects on what pastors need most and what no training program can provide. While leadership skills, sermon preparation, and church management can be taught, a genuine burden for people can only come through time spent with Jesus. Mike argues that prayer is not secondary to ministry but the foundation of it. A pastor's authority is rooted not in credentials or experience, but in closeness to Christ. Churches, he says, should protect and prioritize their pastors' time in prayer, because transformed pastors lead transformed churches.

Mike Glenn reflects on the life and influence of his father, whose steady love, sacrifice, and devotion to Scripture shaped both his faith and his understanding of fatherhood. Looking back, Mike realizes that what seemed ordinary growing up was actually extraordinary. Through personal stories, he explores the responsibility fathers carry and highlights Paul's challenge in Ephesians: don't make it hard for your children to believe in God. The legacy of a faithful father, he argues, is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive.

Mike Glenn reflects on the unique challenges pastors face during election seasons, when political divisions often run straight through the middle of a congregation. He encourages church leaders to resist partisan pressure and remain focused on preaching Christ above politics. Rather than fueling anxiety, pastors are called to offer perspective, cultivate joy, and remind their people that their ultimate hope rests not in elected leaders, but in the unchanging reign of Jesus.

A practical reflection on pastoral burnout, church leadership, and the confusion caused by unclear expectations. Mike Glenn challenges churches and pastors to honestly assess spiritual gifts, define responsibilities, and work together so ministry is shared by the whole body rather than carried by one overwhelmed leader.

Reflecting on Jesus’ prayer in John 12 and the faithfulness required to carry the cross, Mike Glenn explores a challenging question: not whether we can trust God, but whether God can trust us. He argues that throughout Scripture, God entrusts greater responsibilities to those who prove faithful in smaller ones. Rather than focusing on God’s reliability, this article invites believers to consider their own obedience and faithfulness, asking what God might accomplish through His church if He could trust His people more fully.

Using the hiring of Starbucks’ new CEO as a starting point, Mike Glenn explores why church leadership is different from corporate leadership. While business skills can be transferable, effective pastoral leadership depends on something deeper: love. He argues that pastors are not called simply to manage organizations but to know, serve, and sacrifice for their people. In the kingdom of God, the strongest leaders are not defined by strategy or success, but by the depth of their love for those they lead.

Raising children was never meant to be a solo journey. Drawing from his experience as a grandfather to a special needs child, Mike Glenn challenges churches to become "wrap-around families" for adoptive, foster, and special needs households. He reminds believers that bearing one another’s burdens often looks like practical acts of love, support, and presence. Sometimes the most powerful ministry is simply showing up and helping a family carry the load.

Drawing from his first pastorate in Edgefield, South Carolina, Mike Glenn reflects on the vital role churches play in developing pastors. Through stories of mentorship, correction, and patient guidance, he argues that churches are not merely employers of pastors but stewards of them. Healthy congregations help shape young ministers into effective leaders, strengthening both the church and the future of ministry. This article challenges churches to see pastoral development as a kingdom responsibility and a crucial part of addressing today’s growing pastor shortage.

A thought-provoking reflection on identity, purpose, and modern forms of idolatry. Through personal stories and biblical examples, this piece explores how people often seek validation through careers, relationships, or achievements, while arguing that true identity and purpose can only be found in the blessing and calling given by Jesus Christ.

A thought-provoking reflection on leadership, stewardship, and the Parable of the Talents. Challenging common interpretations of the passage, this piece explores how God develops leaders through faithfulness in small responsibilities, reminding believers that trust is earned, growth takes time, and the reward for faithful service is often greater opportunity to serve.

A thoughtful reflection on human limitations, priorities, and the freedom that comes from embracing boundaries. Drawing on personal experiences, faith, and modern culture’s obsession with doing more, this piece encourages readers to focus on the people and responsibilities God has entrusted to them, reminding us that a meaningful life is built not by doing everything, but by choosing what matters most.

A practical and encouraging reflection on spiritual growth, using the image of cleaning a garbage can to illustrate how lives are transformed by Christ. Rather than focusing only on avoiding sin, this piece emphasizes filling life with the presence, truth, and goodness of Jesus until His grace naturally flows out into the world around us.

A thoughtful reflection on preaching, attention spans, and adapting ministry methods in a distracted digital culture. Exploring how modern communication habits have changed the way congregations listen, this piece encourages pastors to keep the gospel message timeless while creatively reshaping how sermons are delivered, reinforced, and engaged throughout the week.

A creative reflection on the “middle” of the gospel, using Oreo cookies as a metaphor for sanctification and spiritual growth. Moving beyond salvation and heaven alone, this piece explores how Jesus transforms everyday life in the present, offering identity, purpose, healing, and hope for people searching for meaning right now.