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
I am working with a new ministry. Standing Stone Ministry is a ministry to pastors in crisis. We work with pastors who are about to throw in the towel in defeat and discouragement. Our prayer and plan is devoted to coming along side pastors who are on the verge of burnout from the demands of … More You are Not Fine (Neither Am I)
The Case for Interdependence in the Scripture What Does God Require? or Learning to “One-Another”: The Art of Discipleship That is the question that the Prophet Micah asks and answers in Micah 6:8. “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, … More Learning to “One-Another” : The Art of Discipleship
Reading with the Pastor James 1 and Psalm 52-53 Most scholars think that the letter of James and the letter to the Galatians are among the earliest letters of the New Testament. My vote is for James. Either way, when we read these 5 short chapters we are looking at the early church in its infancy. … More The Silent Beauty of Reading
Wednesday is for Thinking The world needs to be evangelized. It needs the good news of the gospel. It needs Jesus. We can care for the world and still fail to give them what they really need. This post from five years ago is more relevant today than ever. For more see: Emphasis on Justice … More Emphasis on Justice and City-Transformation is Not Enough
This is an excellent post by my dear friend Terry Ivy. If you are wondering about the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit, and the wonder of what God could and might do in your life, this isn’t a bad place to start. And then get on your knees and ask God for … More The Gifts of the Holy Spirit–Discernment or Rejection?
Update: I am a waddling man today because of an unwise but well intentioned decision to run in a 5K race in support of the Palmetto Woman’s Center in Rock Hill. I haven’t run more than 10 yards in 6 or 7 years but it was a good cause. Now I’m dealing with the pain. … More The Profoundly Wicked Roots of Planned Parenthood
Tuesday is for Reflection For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt … More Godly Grief? When Tears are the Way Forward
Sometimes people don’t try to hurt each other, they just do. In fact, they may be passionate in their pursuit of God, faithful to deal with known sin in their lives, willing to repent of wrong behavior, genuinely desirous of being kind and useful to their friends, and yet blind to character flaws in themselves … More Sometimes unintended sin is worse
Three Obstacles to Pastoring and Caring for the Flock[1] 1. The Individualistic Nature of the Culture. Example: An attitude that basically says, “It’s none of your business,” or “It’s my problem and I’ll deal with it my way.” Analysis: The result is that people are islands of festering wounds. They are isolated, diseased, and malnourished … More Three Obstacles to Pastoral Care (and suggested paths to overcome them)
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