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Waiting for work and trusting God amid trials

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…

What should a pastor do in his first few years at a church?

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…

Are you a closet annihilationist?

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…

Five keys to ministry in the Deep South

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.

We must be governed by good news

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…

What is a disciple, anyway?

For followers of Christ, discipleship is not an optional extra for interested Christians.

Driving out discontentment

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…

Should I leave my church? 8 critical questions

No doubt, there are other questions that may need to be asked, but some of these helped me make this solemn decision.

Top podcasts for Christian leaders

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…

8 tasks future church planters need to do today

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.

Reflections on a church that recently embraced egalitarianism

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…

Practical questions to ask before entering church revitalization

Every church revitalizer must remember that new life comes about not by pushing all the right buttons, but by the grace of God.

The emptiness of Hallmark card race theology

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…

Top 5 rookie pastor mistakes

Pastors who try to reap the dividends of authority without making the investment of credibility will quickly find themselves in a leadership deficit.

Why a Pastor’s Spiritual Life Matters

The pastor’s inner spiritual life is critical to the spiritual development of his people.

Dan Dumas: Live intentionally, live smart

Editors note: Dan Dumas has written a new book, Live Smart: Preparing for the Future God Wants for You (Bethany House). SBTS Blog editor Jeff Robinson corresponded with him on how he hopes to minister to the local church through his new work.   In Live Smart, you trace out 14 principles from Scripture that…

Five tips for engaging those different than yourself

I have a confession to make: I am a terrible evangelist. I do try, but I can’t seem to have much success or consistency. I often find myself hiding behind the excuse that “I’m an introvert.” But the real problem is that I am just not loving my neighbor as myself. The task is made…

4 Questions every church should ask a missionary organization

Not all missionary organizations are created equal. In fact, while the Great Commission is surprisingly succinct as founding documents go, it has germinated a host of extremely diverse ministries and methods. Today, hundreds of international sending agencies exist ranging from those committed to curbing sex trafficking to promoting the gift of prophecy, all in the…