Not long after I began to follow Jesus in the late 70s, I was invited to take a Sunday evening class at the church designed to help new believers grow. As I joined the group, they handed me a small study book focused entirely on “the devotional life.” I still carry it in my Bible …
Continue reading Time Alone with God: Lessons I Learned at a Fence Post
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” ~ Galatians 3:3 The foundation of the new life is this: Jesus has sent His Spirit to live inside the believer. In Galatians, Paul was arguing against teachers who instructed believers that the ability to “live right” …
“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore …
"...and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” ~ Philippians 1:14 Following Jesus takes guts. It is dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. We live in a war zone called earth. There are two kingdoms in conflict. You …
She had never lived in the United States before moving to our town to teach at the high school. She was unfamiliar with our culture. She knew no one. But when someone told her about our church, she was immediately interested in the choir because of her love for singing. Choir members befriended her. They …
Continue reading How Every Ministry in the Church Can Be a Gospel Sharing Ministry
Can it take 40 years to complete an 11-day journey? It will when any people refuses to trust God. The result is that forward movement towards spiritual maturity gives way to a wandering, aimless existence. “It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass …
Every few days I’ve been sending out a disaster relief update to our Northshore Baptist Association ministry leaders regarding the ongoing work and opportunities to serve in those areas affected by Hurricane Laura. Ways to plug in. Ways to get involved. But it’s a “long run” effort. And it can get exhausting. There are many …
Continue reading Disaster Relief Thoughts: Staying Refreshed Under Stress
As the American church continues to struggle with the issue of racial diversity, one popular catch-phrase suggests that the church should somehow become "color blind" -- ignore our differences and treat everyone in the same manner. While I most certainly affirm our need to love every person with His love, "color blindness" is not the …
I’m old enough to recall when “leadership” became the latest buzzword among pastors. The key to being a good pastor was to become a good “leader.” I won’t bore you with the history of how it happened, but gradually we replaced “discipleship” with “leadership” as a primary pastoral objective. (Ironically, the seminary that pioneered secular …
Continue reading Leadership Expectations as a Source of Pastoral Pain
“Our Sunday offerings have dropped off dramatically.” As church members are unable to work due to the COVID-19 closures of their workplaces and schools, the financial support of church ministries and staff are also being affected. In the past week, many pastors are reporting that weekly gifts have decreased. Although some churches have reserve funds …
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