The other day, after shoveling a light layer of snow from the driveway, I walked back into the house and was greeted by the smell of the fireplace and the soft glow of Christmas lights. Something about that moment—the warmth, the quiet (well as quiet as it gets with 5 kiddos), the scent of wood burning—pulled me deeper into the Christmas spirit.

One thing I’ve noticed as a dad over the years is that whenever one of my younger children gets excited about something, they spontaneously burst into song. Whether a birthday party is around the corner, a friend is coming to play, or a long-awaited Christmas present is being unwrapped, their joy overflows in a made-up melody.

John Piper has been famously quoted as saying, “There are three options when it comes to missions: go, send, or disobey.” This is a bold statement but it captures the urgency and responsibility that every follower of Christ carries. Missions is not a calling reserved for a select few; it is the shared commission of all believers.

On Sunday, we spent time unpacking Paul’s address to the Ephesian elders and were reminded of the high and holy calling that God places on pastoral leadership. At Port City, we take this calling with deep seriousness and humility. The process of identifying and appointing elders is neither quick nor casual—it is intentional, prayerful, and rooted in Scripture.

On Sunday, we talked about how idolatry exists in all of us.  And in order to understand the idols of our heart we have to understand how multi-layered they are.