Sometimes I Get In the Way
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Do you have a problem with letting God lead? Do you contend with God for supremacy? Do you find yourself getting in the way?
Read MoreWhen Should You Leave Your Church?
Leaving a church should be a last resort. Find out why you may need to stick it out in a church where you're not completely happy. It may just be the time to re-commit yourself and get to work!
Read MorePersonal Plan for 2011
I am a big believer in the old adage "To fail to plan is to plan to fail." For that reason, I try to set goals for growth each year. Because I pastor a local church, and I have a family, and I live life daily, I don't always achieve my personal goals, but I don't allow that to stop me from setting them.
Read MoreGuarding Ourselves From Rocky Ground Hearing
I recently preached a message on the Parable of the Soils from Mark 4. As much as I could, I tried to get the congregation to understand that we all, even believers, are susceptible to various levels of resistance to the Word of God. Every believer has the potential, at any moment, to walk according to the flesh and not by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16-17) Oftentimes we do. In the church, the most common soil I experience is that of the stony ground. You remember, it’s the one where Jesus said that the seed immediately sprung up, but when the sun came up that very day, what had sprung up quickly burned up and withered away. Jesus interpreted that as the person who hears the Word of God, seemingly with joy, but that joy is only temporary. Jesus goes on to say that...
Read MoreAround the Horn
It’s Thursday evening and I’m waiting for a counseling appointment to show up. I thought I’d pass along some articles I encountered the past few days. They are here because I found them interesting, and/or very helpful. I hope you will, too! Enjoy! Saturating Your Children With God’s Word – Aaron Menikoff posted this helpful summary of a little booklet by Andy Davis. This is helpful for all parents who need to be reminded of their mission to teach their kids about the God of the Bible, using the Bible. The Grace of God in the Bible – Dane Ortlund posts a helpful review of the grace of God as seen in every book of the Bible. You may not see some of these items as grace, but grace is a thread throughout the Bible. The Church That...
Read MoreTHE DEVIL: You’ve got him all wrong!
The recent scandalous accusations against Bishop Eddie Long have expectedly resulted in the flood of talk and news shows devoted to this issue. This article does not address the Bishop’s issues, but an issue that it reveals in the heart of so-called “American Christianity.” Recently I watched a CNN video interview of one Carlton Pearson. He is an intelligent man, with a winsome demeanor, and obvious compassion for others. He was asked to comment on his “Gospel of inclusion” and the place of gays in the church. I will reserve comment on that for a later time. But, in listening to him articulate his “gospel” I found that his theology is more a figment of his anthropology than in keeping with the divine revelation orthodox Christians affirm. He...
Read MoreThey did what?? 575 Members Removed!
One of the essentials of my ministry is communicating the importance of meaningful church membership. It has been on my radar since before I entered the pastorate, and has been the subject of many posts, sermons, newsletter articles, committee discussions and private talks since becoming the Pastor of a local church. Many people resist the idea of meaningful church membership, resist any idea of accountability or submission to a body of believers. For many Americans, there is a tendency to emphasize rights while neglecting responsibilities; to lack commitment because of its inconvenience. This sad condition is glaring in many local churches where the listed membership generally far exceeds the number of members actually serving, giving and furthering the...
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