Servers are identifiable by their willingness to miss the worship service if it means they have the opportunity to serve others by ushering, caring for children, helping with parking, or whatever else needs to be done. Servicers are identifiable by their willingness to miss serving if it means they have the opportunity to be present... Continue Reading

Every Christian is being discipled by the world around him or her. That is why Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). In certain ways, I fear we have been Cannanized. God has much to say about how we spend our time,... Continue Reading

Yes, faith that God will take care of us is a good thing. No, faith without planning is not wise. The writer of Proverbs said it in 15:22: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Jesus said it Luke 14:28: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t... Continue Reading

According to the IRS, if an organization’s tax-exempt status is revoked, it is no longer exempt from federal income tax and is not eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. As Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, noted in 2015, “The loss of tax-exempt status would put countless churches and religious institutions out of business, simply because... Continue Reading

No legal papers ordering the church’s demolition were provided, but government officials tore it down on Friday — even though it was reportedly part of the country’s officially-recognized church network.   Chinese authorities destroyed a 3,000-seat megachurch in Anhui province and detained its pastors over the weekend, ChinaAid reports. No legal papers ordering the church’s demolition... Continue Reading

There’s a temptation that applies to pastors and other Christians with a public profile, and it’s the temptation to look righteous and holy in public, but to be content to be unrighteous and unholy in private. It’s the temptation to be an “inflatable tank,” someone that can pass a cursory glance even if he would... Continue Reading

This makes us think of the temple. The temple was God’s house, and a person could only go into God’s house via the altar and the sea (1 Kings 7:23-26 and 2 Chron. 4:2-5). At the altar sin was atoned for by the blood of a substitutionary sacrifice. At the sea—which held some seventeen tons of water—sin was... Continue Reading

Following a “legend” requires a humble spirit. Humble yourself before the Lord often. Rejoice that your predecessor has a special place in the hearts of others. Do not allow yourself to be tempted to tear your predecessor down in any way (even in your thoughts!) in an attempt to make yourself look good. Pride can be expressed... Continue Reading

What is the heart of our communion? What is that makes us a community? The Confession wastes no time in providing the foundation of our unity, declaring in paragraph 1 of Chapter 26 that: All saints, that are unified to Jesus Christ their Head by His Spirit and by faith, have fellowship in His graces,... Continue Reading

My biggest concern about the prosperity movement is that it diminishes Christ by making him less central and less satisfying than his gifts. Christ is not magnified most by being the giver of wealth. He is magnified most by satisfying the souls of those who sacrifice to love others in the ministry of the gospel.... Continue Reading