It seems to me that many churches operate more in their own ability than they do in Gods power. The evidence, particularly of North American churches, is that were not making much difference in reaching nonbelievers and driving back the darkness. Here are some reasons churches operate in their own power: 1. We dont always […]
I think most believers agree that biblical unity is something to pray for and work toward. You probably know that reconciliation between a diverse group of people is a beautiful dream. But is the church marked by a compelling ethnic unity today? Do you know how to make progress toward racial reconciliation? Unfortunately, the kind … Continued
How do you respond when you feel dissatisfied?
To seek unity and end ghetto living, we must be willing to lay aside our preferences for the sake of others.
Know what really scares me as a pastor? It’s that my words are going to cause people to take action. People will, based on a sermon, based on a tweet, based on an interaction, or a counseling session decide things about their future based on my advice based on how I explain the wisdom of … Continued
Summer is here and yet, many of us feel like we have already had summer because our kids have been home from school or daycare for months due to COVID-19 precautions. Now that the school year has finally finished in some form or fashion, how do we make the most of the next few months … Continued
Before you came to Christ, your life aspirations arose from a wrong way of looking at the world, what the apostle Peter calls the desires of your former ignorance (1 Peter 1:14). You thought, for instance, that romance was the key to true contentment. But at some point, you realized it wasnt quite as fulfilling as youd hoped. […]
The good news is it feels like were entering a new season of leadership and ministry. Although the coronavirus is still with us, churches and businesses are reopening and things that werent possible a month or two ago are now possible again. Thats the good news. The bad news is that the new season is perhaps even more complicated than the season of crisis we just left, and leaders must be careful to avoid wasting ministry season […]
A few weeks into this madness, the global pandemic that has resulted in the unprecedented move to not provide physical worship gatherings at our church, Kenton Beshore called to check on me. Kenton is my predecessor, our pastor emeritus, and he still serves as teaching pastor for us. “How in the world are you not … Continued
The apostle Paul wrote, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2). In Pauls Greek, the word that is commonly translated as mind is nous, which typically refers to our rational, thinking faculties. But it also can be used to convey composure, a sense of the security that comes with thorough comprehension. The word illustrates how intellectual pursuits for the Christian can become vibrant acts of service to others and of resistance to a world intent on conforming us to its system of behavior. Karen Swallow Prior faith is a leading advocate for this deep and rational composure.
