Most people are familiar with the story of Job. A godly-man, blessed by God with wealth and children and status in the community. Here is a brief survey of his character: Job’s Compassion 4:3 Admonished many Strengthened weak hands4:4 Helped the tottering to stand strengthened feeble knees16:5 His words solaced … More What Job Needed from His Friends
It seems only appropriate that the eternal God of the universe, who once took on flesh and walked about disguised, as it where, in real human flesh, “very God of very God” as the Nicene Creed (*see below) puts it, would also walk about disguised in the world in the forms and lives of the … More Christ is Disguised Under Every Type of Humanity that Treads the Earth (Revisited)
Just learning about this apologetics ministry and what they are doing to make a difference in this generation for any generation in the future. I’m impressed. Looking forward to learning more.
More than a few will judge me for revealing that I am a Tom Clancy fan. So be it. The original books were filled with so much submarine tech and knowledge that, as the son of an ex-navy medic, I always found them fascinating. Before Clancy died, he and his books had become a cottage … More Many Pastors Leave Their Churches with Similar Thoughts
And what is that “gradual way”? It is the way of compromise. It is the way of allowing the world to squeeze us into its mold. It is the way of not being conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8 and 12:1-2) It is the way of rocky and thorny soil (Mark 4); … More How to Go to Hell
I heard a horror story yesterday. A large mega-church “hired” ten interns. One day before they were to finish their internships, they were all fired and none were given good recommendations. None. I said, “hired” in quotes because they were paid “slave wages” and worked long hours. At another church, apparently a mega-church with a … More A Pastoral Horror Story
Over the years, consulting with many churches, pastoring three, planting one, overseeing the planting of seven others, I have come to the conclusion that many in our churches have a misunderstanding of and a conflation of terms when they talk about outreach and evangelism. They are different. They may be handmaids to one another but … More The Difference between Outreach and Evangelism
While studying today I found this gem. “The moment you begin to testify for the Lord, someone will oppose you. . . . John Calvin lived in Switzerland as a refugee from France. John Knox, the Scottish Presbyterian, lived in danger of his life, because of government opposition to his preaching. John Wesley was stoned, … More What Stops You?
Part One of a two part series: Practice the Ministry of Presence. There is no influence without contact. My general rule is that if a neighbor invites me to anything, whatever was on my schedule is going to be replaced. My neighbors know I am a Christian. So when they are willing to take the … More 7 Ideas for Summer Outreach in Your Neighborhood
This story goes back about 20 years. “Who is ‘untouchable’ in your ministry—who wouldn’t you give away?” I was speaking at a conference for church planters. Our church had planted 7 churches in its first nine years and the conferees were eager to find out how. The question came … More Who is Untouchable in Your Ministry?
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