Sustaining Strength for the Complexity of Pastoral Ministry
In 2 Timothy, Paul gives Timothy more than 30 imperatives to guide his ministry to the church at Ephesus—highlighting just how comprehensive the work of pastoral ministry truly is. An overview of some of these imperatives demonstrates this: Share in suffering for the gospel (1:8; 2:3; 2:5) Guard the good deposit entrusted to you (1:14) […]
When Church Prayers Go Weird
In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the prayer in the church. Why do some of us find it so difficult? What do we make of awkward or even absent prayer in our gatherings? Why does public church prayer sometimes feel so weird?
Do I Have to Give to My Local Church?
While many Christians give to their local church, many only give directly to specific people and causes in the name of careful stewardship. Their reasoning goes something like this: “If I give to my church, while some of it goes to its various ministries, much of it funds staff salaries, building overhead, fellowship events, and […]
Your Beginning in God’s Purpose
Where did your story begin? Perhaps it was in a home wrought with chaos and conflict or in a family soon to be devastated by divorce. Maybe it begins amid a cycle of job-loss, mounting bills, frequent address changes, or an environment marked by addiction and abuse. The question is: If your childhood was marked […]
FTC Film Club
First, Jared goes off on why Gen-X’ers need to let the *Star Wars* franchise go, and why Millennials probably should too. Then, the guys dive into the latest installment of the FTC Film Club, this time dicussing the recent blockbuster and family-friendly release Project Hail Mary.
Do Not Disturb: Recovering Prayer in a Noisy World
The pastor had just invited the congregation into a moment of silent confession. Silence is already difficult in a society saturated with distraction, so focus requires intention. But then… a cell phone rings. Instantly, attention shifts. The sanctuary fills with subtle glances, internal irritation, and the shared wondering of whose phone it is and how […]
Plan the Route to Church Health
As you consider planning the route to health, there are two statements we believe would be beneficial for you to keep in mind, perhaps even post on your desk to remind you of their importance. First, remember, the focus of your ministry determines the future fruit of your ministry. In other words, what you invest […]
Friend, Foe, or Faux? Discerning True and False Believers
Discerning Between the Three Characters of 1 John 1 John is all about fellowship with God, which is possible through Jesus Christ and life in the Spirit (1:1–4). The Apostle John describes life in the Spirit through the abiding “anointing” (2:27) and abiding “seed” (3:9) of God before speaking explicitly about the abiding Holy Spirit […]
Stuff We Don’t Want to Talk About
Inspired by Ronni’s refusal to record on a particular topic, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the things they don’t want to discuss. Consider this the Banned Episodes episode. What topics feel “off limits?” What subjects do we feel out of our depth about? What issues do we just want to avoid? And why?
Following Jesus into Hard Places
“To move to a place like this—that girl must be Xena: Warrior Princess.” I heard the compliment, if that’s what you’d call it, in echoes through the stairwell of our new home. We were planning to move in a few months and had come to visit our landing place—an apartment building that housed a tiny […]