Like most African Americans I knew there was a battle taking place within me as I struggled with being both black and American. Yet, at the same time, the views I had of myself were also influenced by the perceptions white Americans held about black Americans. As these two opposing views struggled for dominance I... Continue Reading

In addition to the categorization of churches as declining/subtracting (Level 1), plateauing (Level 2), and growing/adding (Level 3), the study looked at two other supplemental categories. A Level 4 (reproducing) church places a high value and priority on starting new churches. A level 5 (multiplying) church takes church planting to multiple generations of congregations.  ... Continue Reading

Wouldn’t we all assume if the Bible tells pastors, “do the work of an evangelist!” (2 Timothy 4.5) that every pastor would know how to do it?  Wouldn’t we all assume that pastors could teach the rest of us how to do it?  The reality is that many of them don’t know how, and they... Continue Reading

Many churches and Christians focus almost exclusively on loving their neighbour, giving very little time to loving God. They set up all sorts of projects to help people – foodbanks, homeless projects, clean water projects, education projects and so on. These are all excellent things, but of themselves, they’re not particularly Christian things and sometimes... Continue Reading

“I’m not sure if James heard a noise about seven minutes into the film, but if he did, it was my hopes being dashed on the floor. You see, James was a hip and modern college dude who had seen far more of Hollywood’s latest offerings than I had. The Jesus film, meanwhile, is on... Continue Reading

In my time of pastoral ministry, I have talked with several hurting pastors who would resonate with the water heater statement. Many pastors work extra-long hours, are unable to “turn off” care for the church when not working, preach while on vacation (to afford the vacation), and have very few outlets for reducing the stresses... Continue Reading

For all that contemporary people apparently crave “authenticity in worship,” if we follow contemporary trends we’ll succumb to the bias of our church leaders or the movements they follow. For example, only 3 percent of modern worship songs mention anything eternal, and they rarely take on themes of God that make us uncomfortable. The Psalms,... Continue Reading

The Reformation rediscovered the work of the Holy Spirit as opposed to that of human religious activity, such as the priestly administration of the rites of the church. Zechariah 4:6 says God’s temple will be built “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Calvin said, “We ought to be... Continue Reading

We worship in our spirits, by the power of the Holy Spirit, but also with deep intellectual investment, with an eye fixed on the glory of the gospel as well as a heart tuned to its sentiments. Such worship is deeply didactic, it retrains the flagging disciple, it prohibits empty sentiment, it draws our attention... Continue Reading

One of the beautiful moments for me in the ordination/installation service is when the members  “promise to give them the honor, obedience, encouragement, and assistance .… their office….entitles them” At this moment the people stand in support of their officers. It is an encouragement that is needed for the work is hard and often discouraging. With... Continue Reading