“The significance of light goes beyond its mention in the account of creation and in the description of the restored garden. Light is also significant in how it communicates the arrival of the Redeemer and the Redeemer’s commission.”   Light is an extremely significant motif in Scripture. We first read of it in Genesis 1:3... Continue Reading

“CT has reported how terrorists such as ISIS are now officially the greatest threat faced by the persecuted church, as Christians in 50 countries continue to face record levels of persecution. Middle Eastern evangelicals have exchanged strategies, while advocates call for the creation of a safe haven.”   For two years, ISIS has been terrorizing... Continue Reading

“Is it apologetic and hesitant rather than authoritative and declarative? Is it unnecessarily offensive? Is it sufficiently varied when compared with your other sermon introductions?”   Following up on yesterday’s post about teaching beginning preachers, here’s my second checklist for beginning (and not-so-beginning) preachers on introducing a sermon. 1. Is it too long/too short? (Too... Continue Reading

“Because they are not insurance companies, sharing ministries provide no guarantee that members’ medical debts will be paid; members are advised to trust that God will provide. The ministries say the payment system is helping Christians fulfill a biblical mandate to share one another’s burdens.”   When Chris Doyle learned that his health insurance deductible... Continue Reading

“When we promote books by and about one cultural group from one time period to the near exclusion of others, we are limiting our view of God’s image bearers: what about the Christians in our churches who look different from us?”   I am a booklist professional. I read, save, research, create, and share booklists.... Continue Reading

“If the church is not ensuring Jesus is explicitly and persistently the point, it is not fruitful. And conversely, if a church is ensuring Jesus is explicitly and persistently the point, it is being fruitful, since ongoing worship of Jesus is a fruit of the new birth.”   I follow the ongoing pastoral and missiological... Continue Reading

“There you have the basics of hospitality, of Christian ministry: Share the Gospel. Share yourself. Treat people with tender affection. Get these fundamentals right, and you are well on your way to showing hospitality to your church and community.”   “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” — Romans 12:13 “Show... Continue Reading

And what about the “radical” call to foreign missions? It’s true that not every Christian is a foreign missionary, but every Christian is on mission. We’re on mission not just when we drive out of our church parking lots every week but when we roll out of bed.   The ordinary Christian life is not... Continue Reading

“Friends, Jesus occasionally used harsh words to describe the hearts of the wicked anti-christs about him, but we do not see him hurling insults at people in verbal one-upmanship. He was silent at times. He prayed for his accusers. Boldly, he always spoke truth, but there was a dignity and honor with which he walked... Continue Reading

“Change can be hard for the church. If the new Lead Pastor was hired to be a change agent, was the church ready for the change? If a church has been without its Senior Leader, it may not initially respond well to someone being back in the role, especially someone different then what they were used to.”... Continue Reading