What Are 10 Things That Might Help a Pastor and His Wife Stay Married and In Ministry?
The combined stress of marriage in ministry is a unique situation that demands an intentionality to keep a marriage or ministry from imploding.
I chose the words, “might help” carefully for these are not at all 10 rules that will keep your marriage and ministry from imploding. But, these 10 things might create some needed conversation with you and your spouse to keep your marriage and ministry pressing on for a bit longer. Marriage is hard enough,... Continue Reading
Can An Atheist Lead A Protestant Church? A Battle Over Religion In Canada
The Rev. Gretta Vosper is a minister with a loyal following at her United Church of Canada congregation in suburban Toronto. She is also an outspoken atheist.
Vosper said that the United Church has a tradition of “pushing the envelope” and pulling down barriers — in accepting the ordination of women, embracing the LGBT community and performing same-sex marriage. She said her views about religion have evolved. After initially rejecting the idea of a supernatural god and the idea of god as... Continue Reading
Old Donkeys Needed!
We are thin on the ground when it comes to the older generation
“I’ve heard a lot of stories in the past year of Christians in Edinburgh nearing retirement, and selling up their homes and moving to some of the nicest areas of the city. That’s cool, because these areas need the gospel too. But what I’m asking is that some older, experienced Christians would catch the vision... Continue Reading
The Abuse of Authority in Prosperity Gospel Churches
I’ve found leaders in prosperity gospel churches uncover their desire for worship when they employ a savior’s mentality toward their people
“In my assessment, there are three convictions in the hearts of abusive leaders that, in their minds, justify their abusive actions. These convictions are an over-realized eschatology, an improper interpretation and application of Scripture, and a prideful heart that desires self-worship.” Throughout the duration of my service in the pastorate, I’ve regularly encountered believers... Continue Reading
The Fire and Brimstone Preacher Who Succeeded
Hell is one of the hardest truths to not only believe in the first place, but to communicate to others around us.
Do you think about hell? Do you warn people about it? When you do, can they tell you don’t want them to go there. Of course the tone in our voice won’t make someone more likely to become a Christian, but it will make them more likely to listen to us, and it will please... Continue Reading
Americans: Heaven and Jesus, Sure. Hell and Sin, Not So Much
It’s bad news for theology lovers: Americans love God, Heaven, and Jesus, but are inconsistent when it comes to doctrine, a new study shows.
As the product of Evangelical youth groups and an “inter-denominational” Christian campus ministry where the concept of sin went unspoken, I’m not shocked most Americans believe humans are naturally good and deny the idea of eternal judgment. If these messages are being churned out (or insinuated by silence) by leaders within the Church, how can... Continue Reading
The Idol of City Ministry
My fear is that for many, city ministry has become an idol, the thing that will give them value, significance, and security.
To summarize, I believe that prioritizing urban ministry can lead to making it into an idol. What is good turns into what is necessary to feel complete and secure. This hurts people, both inside and outside of cities, and it diminishes the very real ministry work being done in rural and suburban areas. It also... Continue Reading
Keep Teenagers Weird
Study: kids who enjoyed popularity and social ease in their early teens were significantly more troubled and at risk when they reached early adulthood than their less admired peers.
Perhaps our evangelical student ministries can reach more deeply in the souls of students by promising more than the right answers with the right people. Perhaps the formation of teens in our churches should start out by reassuring them that God made everybody weird and that is OK. Perhaps rather than promising a great summer... Continue Reading
The PCA Foundation Reaches A Major Milestone
The PCA Foundation is the donor-driven foundation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
The PCA Foundation is the donor-driven foundation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The mission of the PCA Foundation is to provide charitable financial services to Christians, enabling them to carry out their stewardship responsibilities and charitable desires to financially support the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through the Presbyterian Church in America and other Christian ministries.... Continue Reading
Nicaragua Heeds Evangelicals (Not Catholics) on Missionary Restrictions
One month ago, Nicaragua declared that Protestant and Catholic missionaries weren’t allowed to enter the Central American nation unless they were first vetted by officials
“The restrictions were announced August 12 as an attempt to catch money laundering and other criminal operations that, according to Nicaraguan officials, are sometimes hidden under the guise of religious organizations.” One month ago, Nicaragua declared that Protestant and Catholic missionaries weren’t allowed to enter the Central American nation unless they were first vetted... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- …
- 563
- Next Page »