The question to us then is simple: Will a season of enforced remote work and online fellowship lead us to become people who spiral down into disconnection and increasing self-focus or will it spur us to long to be with others in every way we can and do much more than small talk however we... Continue Reading

We ought to acknowledge that abuse happens. In speaking with Ministerial colleagues from time to time, one of the constant battles we face is counseling (predominantly) men who struggle with addiction to pornography. Harvey Weinstein may be in jail, but he is very much in our homes as well. Even a cursory glance at many... Continue Reading

I’m not convinced we should never land on the specific sins and issues of particular people in our congregation. It seems to me, application that lands is application that is relevant. The broader your application, the less pointed it is and so the easier it is to distance myself from it. Can we really expect people to... Continue Reading

You are lying awake at night in fear. What, dear Christian, should you do? You must do what Isaiah is commanding Israel to do in the face of their uncertain and devastating future. You must take your situation in hand and argue from the greater down to the lesser. That is precisely what Isaiah is calling... Continue Reading

One doesn’t have to look far to stumble across ministers who make offhanded comments in sermons about how so many other preachers are unwilling to boldly speak “the hard truths.” And though it is regretfully true that many ministers are unwilling to speak the hard parts of Scripture, these comments are often attended with a... Continue Reading

A believer struggling with pornography demonstrates that he or she can’t handle open access. The desires of their flesh are too strong and their self-control too weak. We take away their freedom to open access to protect them from themselves.   A young man or woman comes to you, admitting their struggle with pornography. Let’s say... Continue Reading

In the past few years, much of our work has gone digital. We plan events with digital registration forms; we send emails about ministry news, etc. I’ve been around offices where if their computer stops working or the internet is out, someone will comment: “I can’t do my work now.” If your ministry work is... Continue Reading

There are so many theologically rich hymns about both the Church universal and the local church that we can be teaching our children. Though each of these are uniquely suited to reflect the biblical teaching about the glory of Christ among His people, my wife and I specifically chose to sing Timothy Dwight’s “I Love Thy... Continue Reading

A striking example of God using a life-threatening epidemic to play a key role in a person coming to spiritual faith and life is found in the conversion testimony of Fanny Crosby. She went on to become the world’s premiere Christian hymnwriter of the nineteenth century.    The present COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of... Continue Reading

The highest privilege and greatest honor in pastoring is not standing in the church pulpit but praying by the hospital bed. It’s not being accorded the highest place but carrying out the least-seen service. It’s not broadcasting the truth to thousands, but whispering it to one. The holiest moments of pastoring are the ones that... Continue Reading