Chronic Pain and the Ministry
Ministering through real suffering to those suffering by pointing all to our real hope in Christ.
It is to this hope I seek to point God’s people. No, it doesn’t take away the pain usually. However, It is not a trite answer that does nothing. It is, in fact, the hope of every Christian: to see Christ, to be with Christ, and to be made like him in every respect (1... Continue Reading
The Essential Marks of a Preacher
How might one know if God is calling him to the ministry?
Vacant pulpits ought not induce the wringing of hands. Christ is building His church. He does not hope for ministerial volunteers; He sovereignly sets apart pastors to serve His church and preach His gospel. Nonetheless, the church is to call out the called, and every qualified man of God should consider if God is calling him... Continue Reading
On-Screen Sexual Nudity Should Make Us Weep
Not only is there something deeply wrong when a film attempts to expose the horror of sin, but there is also something deeply wrong when Christians approve of watching it.
“We are not talking about marble statues or a Holocaust documentary or a physician examining a patient. We are talking about two naked people doing in front of us what naked people do together. Take the medium of television out of it. Would you go into a private room and look through a peep hole to watch... Continue Reading
Imperfections Make Sundays More Beautiful
Perhaps the real problem isn’t with the clumsiness of others, but with our expectations for corporate worship.
Paul understood that our hearts are easily drawn astray by outward appearances. What we need is not a distraction-free “experience” that wows us, but an encounter with the truth that transforms us. Slickness in presentation calls our attention to the human messenger. A more modest approach — one that is okay with a little human... Continue Reading
A Letter to the Inactive Member
An inactive member is one of the sheep that has gone astray and requires the shepherd to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one.
When we meet week-by-week to worship God we don’t do it because it’s tradition or mere formality. Rather, we do it because God is worthy to be worshiped: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12). When we come together... Continue Reading
The One Who Pays the Piper Picks the Tune
Expectations come with financial contributions. But to what extent should those expectations come?
Accountability is good and right. A denomination or network would be foolish to give away Kingdom resources without certain standards. Expectations should be expected. My concern is not with accountability. When I worked for McDonald’s and Burger King, I had to wear the appropriate uniforms for the appropriate places. I knew such expectations existed before... Continue Reading
2 Things Pastors Can Learn from Spurgeon’s Preaching
We need to preach to people where they’re at, but always with the context of the whole counsel of God in how we do so.
How, in my preaching schedule and in my preaching, am I ensuring I’m not simply preaching my thoughts and bouncing off some text that will work to preach my thoughts? How do I anchor myself to Scripture such that people are hearing the whole counsel of God, and on the other hand, be aware of... Continue Reading
Should I Join A Church?
Belonging to a particular church is vital to the Christian.
Belonging to a particular church is vital to the Christian. In the New Testament there is no such person as a Christian who is not a church member. Conversion was described as ‘the Lord adding to the church’ (Acts 2:47). There was no spiritual drifting. Those who came to know Christ were committed at once to the... Continue Reading
Imagine That, Church as Safe Space
A safe harbor was all that Machen asked for as a remedy from the abuse of politicized Christianity
I hope for the sake of the abused that they find peace and solace in the church, so long as they remember that making the church #woke or prophetic is only to bring the “conflicts of the world” back into the place where souls are looking for comfort. Could the Pretty Good Awokening nurture... Continue Reading
Worshiping When Dying is Gain
What's the motivating force behind an attitude that says: "We will worship even if we die?"
In previous days at least two letters were released to that congregation (and circulated around the world) from their under-shepherds. One was written by an elder shortly before he was arrested titled “How the Church Should Face Persecution.” The other, is from the pastor and is titled “My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience.” Both of these... Continue Reading
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