Women’s Ministry: Healing the Ways Women Hurt Each Other
The Power and Pitfalls of Women’s Groups There’s something about groups of women that can be incredibly empowering, but on the other side, deeply destructive. I’ve experienced both. Some groups are healthy and life-giving; others are toxic and draining. And for women, I think this issue begins young. The stereotype of the “mean girl” didn’t […]
When to Leave a Church
In an age of increasing church consumerism and church division, Christians sometimes leave churches for less than honorable reasons. But what are the honorable ones? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz talk about the why’s and how’s of leaving a local church.
The Compassion of a Shepherd
When is your compassion tested most in ministry? Recently, after a long and somewhat discouraging Sunday, I was finally sitting on the couch ready to relax. Then my cellphone rang. It was one of my church members—a kind lady, usually encouraging and full of positive words. But we’ve all had “those days.” “Those” are the […]
The Christian Hope in Mourning
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the practice of delaying funerals became routine. Often postponed out of necessity, delayed funerals complicated the mourning process and created difficult conversations resurfacing months later. Indeed, by mid-2021, articles began appearing in major publications contemplating the awkwardness and grief attending the phenomenon of delayed funerals. A palpable sense was afoot that […]
Fasting
Most Christians know what it is. Most Christians don’t practice it. What is a biblical fast, and what’s the point of it? On this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the spiritual discipline of fasting.
Peace in a World Full of Conflict
The familiar car pulled into the church parking lot. As the driver stepped out, my stomach tightened and my heart raced. This churchgoer had a history of sharp words toward me, and I knew he had been involved in conflicts I’d mediated for others. My mind spiraled: “What is he going to say today? What […]
When “Not Enough Faith” Is Still More Than Enough for Jesus
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20–21). I was in my early twenties when we buried […]
Theological Triage
It’s a helpful principle for sorting out unity and debate. But how exactly does theological triage work? In this episode of the FTC Podcast, Jared Wilson and Ronni Kurtz discuss the relative importance of first order, second order, and third order doctrines, and how the application of theological triage can help us with Christian charity and kindness.
Six Gospel Antidotes to Anxiety
We live in an anxious world. While these are certainly challenging times, in Christ we do not have to be anxious. We have a Father in heaven who knows us, loves us, and provides for our needs. Our Father is not anxious, and neither must we be. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives […]
A Practice for Pastoral Endurance
For the pastor, a life of piety can sometimes become a professional hazard. We are expected to be the most “spiritual” person in the room, yet we are frequently the most depleted. When the work of the ministry becomes a barrier to the God of the ministry, we fall into a subtle but soul-crushing trap: […]