The Joyful Weight of Hebrews 13:17
The burden of leadership is placed on the few, to result in the obedience of the many, for the joy of all!
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 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...
Read MoreThe Office of Deacon: Co-Ed or Not?
A few months back I took a poll via the Twitterverse and Facebook asking whether or not my friends/followers supported the role of women deacons. I asked this question for two reasons: (1) I was working on a sermon on biblical church government, and (2) had recently overheard some pastors in my local Baptist association referring to the concept of deaconesses with no small amount of derision. The responses I received were not wholly unexpected. RESPONSES TO MY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL Several responded in the negative, sadly without giving much biblical support for their position. Meaning, they are against the concept of deaconesses, but didn’t really articulate why. There were a few affirmatives cast. Of the affirmatives there were two primary qualifiers. One...
Read MorePerseverance in the Pulpit
Being a local church pastor is not for the faint of heart nor for those lacking perseverance. It is a position that requires great patience and endurance. The results of your ministry are not instantly seen. You don’t see the “fruit of your labors” for years, even decades. You have to settle in for the long haul, and you must have the conviction that the knowledge and application of the Word of God is God’s method of building His people. This helpful, strengthening statement from Dr. John MacArthur really encourages me in my ministry: Show me a church where there is strong Bible teaching over an enduring period of time, and I will show you a congregation that is studying the Word of God on their own, skilled in the science of interpretation...
Read More9Marks on Deacons
I have always appreciated and benefitted from the work of Mark Dever and the entire 9Marks crew. They’ve produced another great eJournal on the office of Deacon. You can find it here… Read it, and pass it on. You’ll be blessed!
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