2022 For the Church Book Awards
Famed poet and essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once said “Some books leave us free and some books make us free.” As we reflect on the year 2022 and the books published, we believe this statement could not ring more true. As people of the Book, we know true freedom comes from Christ our King. However, […]
Looking Up after Loss: Learning from the Prophet Anna
My tendency is to reoil from a world that takes things away from me. I would hide for days with my face in my lap if I could. Anna didn’t—she looked up. And one day, she saw Christ.
12 Spurgeon Quotes on Joy
Good stories have good endings. The story that began in eternity past and unfolded in time at Bethlehem will culminate in the acclamation and glorification of Christ when he comes again. For Charles Spurgeon, that was the very height of joy itself. Indeed, he said, “No joy ever visits my soul like that of knowing […]
Fulfill Your Ministry: An Installation Charge
Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to deliver an installation charge. The charge was aimed at reminding the elders of their role as shepherds, exhorting the elders (and the church) to fulfill their calling, and encouraging the elders with the grandeur of the office.
4 Keys to Healing from Betrayal
Partnership in the gospel is a gift from God. Few passages in Scripture remind me of this more than reading of Paul’s goodbye to the Ephesian elders in Miletus in Acts 20:36-38: And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced […]
A Plea to Church Members: Give Your Pastor Grace
Series: Pastoral Ministry Collection
I tell you all of this to offer a simple plea in these strange times: give your pastor grace.
Gospel Appropriation
Series: Beholding and Becoming
I used to dream of skydiving. There was something about jumping out of an airplane that just seemed like the right thing to do (I was a teenager!). To my surprise, and after much persuading, I actually convinced my parents to pay for the big jump as a high school graduation gift. I couldn’t believe […]
Why the Church?
Christ is the head of the church. And he does not have out-of-body experiences. To submit to the authority of Jesus Christ over your life is to live in fellowship with the church.
Pastor, Your Body Keeps the Score
Series: Pastoral Ministry Collection
The emotional and spiritual weight of normal ministry is very heavy by itself. Good pastors take seriously the reality that they are responsible for the souls of their flocks, that they will give an account for all the precious people stewarded to them. Add to that normal weight conflict, harsh treatment, gossip, false accusations, weaponized disappointments, the frequent loneliness of leadership, financial stressors, and the like, and — well — the pastor’s body will keep the score.
He Shall Show It
There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us.