“Osteen’s congregation remains the largest in America when it comes to weekend attendance, noting that the church has seen a growth of 7,200 people since 2010. What is more, the church has five times as many followers as it did when it was led by founding Pastor John Osteen, who died in 1999.”   Newly... Continue Reading

While I silently prayed not to hear the same answer, they said to me, “We don’t know what makes a good missionary, but we can tell you the man we love.” By now, the next sentence was predictable and expected; they mentioned that same name that I had heard over and over again.   Their... Continue Reading

No pastor is perfect. And there are a few pastors who do indeed bring shame to the calling. Almost everyone knows such an example. But the great majority of pastors are dedicated, hard working, and servant-minded. It’s time to stop the lies.   I’ve had enough. I’ve heard the lies too many times. It’s time... Continue Reading

White pastors who genuinely care about their non-white sheep should make it a point to ask their non-white members what is their experience at a predominately white church. And they might just be surprised by what they hear. But at least they would be able to shepherd all of their sheep in a way that promotes the... Continue Reading

“Israeli security officials arrested the operations manager of World Vision’s Gaza branch, Mohammed El Halabi, on June 15 at the Israeli-Gaza border before formally charging him on August 4 with providing material support to Hamas in the range of tens of millions of dollars over the course of several years, allegedly from World Vision’s budget.”... Continue Reading

‘Despite pushback from Republicans, who have expressed concerns about admitting those from Syria and Iraq, religious groups continue to work in tandem with agencies to place individuals in their states.”   Despite the heated opposition of the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and more than 30 state governors, conservative churches are welcoming Syrian refugees displaced... Continue Reading

Do we forget that no amount of contextualization will make the gospel inoffensive? In his Upper Room discourse, Jesus warned his disciples of the countercultural nature of his message. And Paul knew, even after making himself “all things to all people,” that the gospel he preached would be a stumbling block, ultimately landing him in jail and leading to death.  ... Continue Reading

“Don’t get obsessed with one week of numbers. Budgets and attendance can have wild fluctuations. Don’t base your worth on nickels and noses. Use numbers in a godly strategic way, but don’t let them control you week by week.”   It can be the toughest day of the week for pastors. They have preached with... Continue Reading

“When groups root their identity in a specific narrative, then a serious challenge to that narrative will be greeted with real hostility, for such a challenge is not simply a disagreement over details.  It is a denial of personal legitimacy.”   Why has this Trinitarian issue generated such passion?  Given the fact that the EFS/ERAS/anti-eternal... Continue Reading

The condition of the widow should dictate how long to stay and how long not to stay. It should determine what will make this widow feel loved and cared for, or what might exasperate her. As God gives you wisdom in these case by case moments, know that God can use you, even for a... Continue Reading