Resources by Michael Patterson:
Michael Patterson
With over two decades in church development and leadership experience, Dr. Michael Patterson has served ministries in Tallahassee, FL, New York City, and currently in Atlanta, GA. He is also the author of Running with Lions, a leadership development book, and an adjunct history professor at the prestigious Morehouse College. His doctorate is in education from Abilene Christian University. After the blessing of salvation, Michael has enjoyed 25 of marriage to his wife Shawn, and they have two children Alexis and Joseph.
When You Face Criticism in Ministry
We live in an era where basically everyone feels free and justified in sharing their opinions even when they are negative. For example, if they don’t like a product they purchased, they can leave a negative Amazon review. If they think a particular politician or company needs to be exposed for wrongdoing, they can share...
Michael Patterson
Q&A – How Does Christianity Relate to Other Cultures?
It’s easy to think of your own cultural as superior to others. When you become a citizen of God’s kingdom, how should you interact with other cultures? I recently sat down with four church leaders who are doing this well and asked them questions which get at the heart of how churches can be more...
Q&A – What Habits Can Break Barriers to Building a Multiethnic Church?
It’s easy to think in generalities when it comes to pursuing multiethnic churches. So, what are some concrete habits each of us can practice which will lead to multiethnic churches? I recently sat down with four church leaders who are doing this well and asked them questions which get at the heart of how churches...
Q&A – What Gets in the Way of Being a Multiethnic Church?
Churches which are truly multiethnic and multicultural take a lot of intentionality, and there are plenty of factors that can obstruct the process. I recently sat down with four church leaders who are doing this well and asked them questions which get at the heart of how churches can be more intentional about pursuing multiethnic,...
Q&A – Why Is It Worth It to Pursue a Multiethnic Church?
Churches which are truly multiethnic and multicultural take a lot of intentionality. Why is it worth the effort? I recently sat down with four church leaders who are doing this well and asked them questions which get at the heart of how churches can be more intentional about pursuing multiethnic, multicultural churches. The church leaders...
Disciples of Jesus Choose Hope – Q&A with Michael Patterson
*Editor’s Note: In an anxious and angry season, how can disciples of Jesus practically show the world the hope of Jesus? At the juncture of 2020 and 2021, I was able to speak with Michael Patterson, church leader and history professor, to get his perspective on how to cultivate hope in difficult times such as...
Peter, Paul, and Race
When it comes to race relations and the church, let’s acknowledge first off that the church has had major challenges in this area. Yet let’s also acknowledge that the church is still our best hope. Why? Well, because Jesus is the head of the church. As long as we keep in step with Jesus, the...
Michael Patterson
Q: How Do I Convince My Kid that the Bible Leads to Happiness?
How do I help my kids to understand that the teachings of the Bible lead to their happiness, not their misery? There are four points it can be helpful to make: First of all, we can help our kids understand that it was God who created fun and that He wants our ultimate happiness. Let’s...
Q: What If My Kid Thinks the Bible Is Boring?
What if my kid thinks the Bible is just a boring old book without any relevance to his life today? If we unpack that question a little bit, then we have to ask: Is it old-fashioned to love one another? Is it old-fashioned to treat each other the way we want to be treated? Is...
It’s Time for a Second Wind
In March, the media said the virus was not able to survive in the heat. I was eagerly anticipating somewhat of a return to normalcy. However, in our state, Georgia, the numbers are trending to the wrong side. More and more people are contracting the virus, public schools are remaining virtual, and now the experts...
Michael Patterson
God Sent Me a Friend: Part 3 of a 3-Way Conversation about Race
*Editor’s Note: This is part 3 of 3 of an honest conversation about race between 3 friends: Dr. Michael Patterson, Angel Maldonado, and Jim Lenahan. All three are ministers. The conversation took place on Sunday, June 7, at The Path Church in Atlanta, GA. Here is Part 1 and Part 2. MIKE: I really was...
Racial Division in the Church: Part 2 of a 3-Way Conversation about Race
*Editor’s Note: This is part 2 of 3 of an honest conversation about race between 3 friends: Dr. Michael Patterson, Angel Maldonado, and Jim Lenahan. All three are ministers. The conversation took place on Sunday, June 7, at The Path Church in Atlanta, GA. Here is Part 1 and Part 3. ANGEL: So has everything...
Changing Worldviews on Race: Part 1 of a 3-Way Conversation about Race
*Editor’s Note: This is part 1 of 3 of an honest conversation about race between 3 friends: Dr. Michael Patterson, Angel Maldonado, and Jim Lenahan. All three are ministers. The conversation took place on Sunday, June 7, at The Path Church in Atlanta, GA. Here is Part 2 and Part 3. ANGEL: It has been...
Church Leaders Need Friends
It shouldn’t be a surprise that church leaders need solid friendships. But how? What does it look like? For help on this, I reached out to some trusted church leaders who have cultivated solid friendships. It looks like…Levels. John Caldwell There are several levels of healthy relationships. For instance, I have many acquaintances, men whom...
The Power of Reading the Bible with Brothers
Church leader and adjunct history professor Michael Patterson reflects back on his early years in college. It was there that God reached out and changed the trajectory of Michael’s life. See from these snapshots of disciple making how God can redirect lives through brothers in Christ. Usually in life, when we reach the point of...
Michael Patterson