It is rare to find an evangelical Christian under 50 who has been a part of one denomination for their entire church life. I was born into a family that was deeply committed to the local church and equally committed to the vision and mission of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have many cherished friends…
“Everyone has it, why can’t I have it!” “They’re leaving me out of everything!”. . . cue the tears, bring up the music, and now the dramatic finish. . . ”you’re ruining my life, I’ll never make real friends!” This year’s winner of best actress in a pho-drama goes to a middle schooler for her role in…
When we’re born again from above by the Spirit of God, the Lord makes a “new creation” of us (2 Cor 5:17). But when he accomplishes that radical, regenerating transformation of us, he does not eliminate our minds, our bodies, our emotions, our will or anything that’s a part of what makes us human. God’s…
Graduation season is upon us, which for many graduates means the frightening reality of finding a ministerial position. We have all heard the horror stories of the same scenario countlessly repeating itself. The graduating student applies himself both in church and school, only to find few ministry positions available providing both adequate financial security and…
So many of the mistakes and missteps a pastor makes in a church as the new pastor comes from a lack of knowledge of what to do. The absence of clear thinking on this matter causes a pastor to listen to all kinds of different voices and hastily react to what he finds and hears…
National Geographic has an interesting article on the doctrine of hell. Chris Date, Preston Sprinkle, Clark Pinnock, and Edward Fudge are all quoted in the piece. The gist of it is that evangelical belief in the traditional doctrine of hell is in decline. Over the last 20 years, the number of Americans who believe in…
In his sovereignty, Christ has turned the roadblocks of language, culture, geography, and sports into an avenue for the gospel. Here are some lessons we’ve learned while ministering in Louisiana.
As followers of Jesus, when we look at our American culture we cannot help but be troubled by what we see. Marriage has been legally redefined. Now, agreeing with the almost unanimous testimony of human history, that using the restroom ought to be a gender specific activity will get you labeled a bigot. Planned Parenthood…
For followers of Christ, discipleship is not an optional extra for interested Christians.
I have found many pastoral counseling issues can be diagnosed with one all too common malady: many people wish they were someone else. They want someone else’s job, money, home, car, spouse, or family. They long for easier lives. They believe if they just had (fill in the blank) they would have purpose and meaning…
No doubt, there are other questions that may need to be asked, but some of these helped me make this solemn decision.
Podcasts are on the rise. When Serial took the world by storm at the end of 2014, many were exposed to this medium for the first time. Since then it seems like new podcasts are appearing every week. As many have discovered, podcasts are an especially accessible way to consume content. For pastors and other leaders…
Unless you plan on planting a church that steals people from other churches, in which case you shouldn’t plant, you need to grow as an evangelist.
Last night I watched Pastor Pete Briscoe give his rationale for leading his church to welcome female elders to their leadership structure. Briscoe pastors Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, a large congregation in the metro area of Dallas, Texas. His sermon amounts to a recitation of long-standing egalitarian readings of Scripture. I admire that Briscoe and…
Every church revitalizer must remember that new life comes about not by pushing all the right buttons, but by the grace of God.
I do not generally like Hallmark cards. When I get my wife, children, or someone else a card, I usually look for one that is attractive on the outside but blank on the inside. I prefer to write my thoughts inside the card because I never read what is written in Hallmark cards and think…
Pastors who try to reap the dividends of authority without making the investment of credibility will quickly find themselves in a leadership deficit.
The pastor’s inner spiritual life is critical to the spiritual development of his people.
