When I landed in my GP surgery at the start of the year, my only complaint was some pain in my foot. I left his office in the knowledge that my blood pressure was sky high, that I had to take two weeks enforced leave, and that some major changes would need to take place... Continue Reading

I’ve experienced the triumphs and travails of ministry firsthand in my own small town, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting rural pastors from around the country and the world. I’ve found that many of these small-town pastors are doing remarkable work. They have vision and energy and passion and skill. And, like all pastors... Continue Reading

Many Protestant churches continue quietly and modestly thriving. Beyond the stage of the Big Eva boys, anonymous pastors and congregations go about the business of the church. In the congregation where I worship, the minister faithfully preaches the word and administers the sacraments throughout the year. The elders and deacons care for the souls and... Continue Reading

The evidence is not difficult to detect: poorly prepared and delivered sermons, failure to visit and care for the flock, chaotic administration, and invisibility in the community. Laziness is a serious sin. Haphazard shepherding of God’s flock is inexcusable, a dereliction of God-given duty. It also insults the congregation who provides his salary so that... Continue Reading

Encouragement expressed by a sincere believer about one’s preaching, or one’s pastoral care, is not often a seduction from Satan for us to hoard the glory that belongs to God. Instead, it is a fellow Christian telling us that the Word has hit the mark, or pastoral care has reached their heart. We should welcome... Continue Reading

Though paedobaptists often appealed to continuity from the Abrahamic covenant and the sign of circumcision, Judson could not help but notice that this analogy was applied selectively and there were significant points of inconsistency in their use of that analogy.[3] The more Judson sought to answer these questions, the more he was forced to conclude... Continue Reading

As the means of grace are faithfully set forth week after week in public worship, and God’s special presence is manifested among his covenant people, God is actively discipling his people. The making of disciples in fulfillment of the Great Commission, therefore, is not just something that happens “out there” on the mission field.  ... Continue Reading

Pastor, here is the danger: You have been uniquely entrusted with a high and holy calling in a local church, and instead of spending and being spent, throwing yourself into the task with all of your might, you are wasting time being jealous of someone else’s charge and gifts. Faithful shepherding means trusting God with... Continue Reading

The universal Christian community will never die, but local ones certainly can and without the active, selfless, giving participation of its members, they certainly will. The highway of Church History has its fair share of ghost towns. So, then, “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking... Continue Reading

One of the reasons is that Christian parents rightly shield their children from the world because they want to protect their souls. I know that in my own home, my wife and I are very careful about the children we let our kids play with, the books they read, and the movies they watch. If... Continue Reading