WEEKEND LINKS These are challenging times for Christians who hold to the authority of Scripture. But that is not without its joys and opportunities. As one of my friends said, “Marty, when it get’s darker, the light always appears brighter.” Amen. Let’s shine all the brighter for Jesus and let’s remember to love everyone, including and … More What You Can Do to Empower Dissent to Same-sex Marriage
If you are looking for a short book to explain the role of a pastor to a congregation or elder board and how the congregation can make best use of their pastors and elders, may I suggest this brief treatment by Robert Murray McCheyne. A timeless exposition of 2 Timothy 4:1-2, a charge to … More The Role of a Pastor and How the Congregation Can Use Him Well
Saturday Musing “The first and principal duty of a pastor is to feed the flock by diligent preaching of the Word.” — John Owen, English Puritan Pastors: Remind your heart every day that this is your job. Remind your heart as you study, as pray, and as you prepare your messages. Remind your heart as … More What is Your Job?
Sunday Afternoon Musings Imagine a pastor whose congregation of wealthy members . . . refuse to come to church refuse to let anyone else sit in their pews remove chairs that are placed in the aisle so that standing visitors have to remain standing burn the chairs that someone else paid for for the visitors … More Endurance: What Does it Take to Make You Quit?
Friday is for Thinking This week I was away speaking on The Art of Biblical Meditation at a retreat for the college ministry of a multi-congregation church from Chicago. Thursday was the last day of my three day seminar. It was a fun, challenging, and convicting time—not just for the students and leaders but for me. I was reminded of … More Scary Thoughts about Every Idle Word
Wednesday is for Thinking This is a remarkable text that makes a statement about the ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem and the continuing ministry of the apostles after the resurrection that is stunning when you consider they had no signage, no speaker system, no flyers, and brochures, or leaflets or any other type of “advertising” … More What Will it Take to Fill Up Your Town with the Good News?
Friday is for Heart Songs I still remember my Latin professor at the University of Maryland saying, “No man can consider himself educated who has not read The Confessions of Augustine.” Great men like Augustine deserve to be read in every generation. But not everyone has the time or opportunity. That is one of the … More A Prayer before a Preacher
Thursday is for Discipleship I confess that I have never read any of John Updike’s works, save for an essay or two. I have been intrigued by his books, nevertheless. For me, it started in a visit to a Christian bookstore (remember those?) in 1975. I saw Rabbit Run on a shelf and thought, “Why … More “We must walk up not worn out with misery but full of Christ”
Tuesday is for Preaching JUDAS ISCARIOT “… none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” . … More Judas Iscariot: Proving the Necessity of the New Birth
Wednesday is for Discipleship Just read the second article this week on how the church is failing to reach millennials here and here. Honestly, it seems like everybody is jumping on this bandwagon and singing this song, “the church is losing millennials.” I have no doubt that the facts are there to support the conclusion. But I … More How Millenials are Being Reached Effectively in One Church
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