Without the pure preaching of the gospel a congregation is not an oasis. It is only a mirage, which has nothing to offer the pilgrim but more heat and sand when what the sojourner needs is relief from the heat and the water of life. This is a basic point and obvious but it bears... Continue Reading

Every church has a specific liturgy that it follows—from a more biblical background to a more contemporary and pragmatic order—every church follows a specific structure. In many cases, the worship service is centered around a pragmatic arrangement in order to guide the emotions of people. In such cases, the worship becomes man centered rather than... Continue Reading

Every government has ironically exposed our folly in putting too much reliance upon politics for solutions. Governments are all lumbering and ham-handed so that they are rightly criticized by those wanting either opened economies or reliable immunity.   No church leader today could have predicted the severe test that COVID-19 has brought to the church.... Continue Reading

A number of friends have put some version of this question to me in recent days. They know that my new book, One Assembly, argues against the multisite and service structure. I believe the Bible teaches that a group of Christians must gather regularly to be a church. Which means your 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.... Continue Reading

The question to us then is simple: Will a season of enforced remote work and online fellowship lead us to become people who spiral down into disconnection and increasing self-focus or will it spur us to long to be with others in every way we can and do much more than small talk however we... Continue Reading

We ought to acknowledge that abuse happens. In speaking with Ministerial colleagues from time to time, one of the constant battles we face is counseling (predominantly) men who struggle with addiction to pornography. Harvey Weinstein may be in jail, but he is very much in our homes as well. Even a cursory glance at many... Continue Reading

I’m not convinced we should never land on the specific sins and issues of particular people in our congregation. It seems to me, application that lands is application that is relevant. The broader your application, the less pointed it is and so the easier it is to distance myself from it. Can we really expect people to... Continue Reading

You are lying awake at night in fear. What, dear Christian, should you do? You must do what Isaiah is commanding Israel to do in the face of their uncertain and devastating future. You must take your situation in hand and argue from the greater down to the lesser. That is precisely what Isaiah is calling... Continue Reading

One doesn’t have to look far to stumble across ministers who make offhanded comments in sermons about how so many other preachers are unwilling to boldly speak “the hard truths.” And though it is regretfully true that many ministers are unwilling to speak the hard parts of Scripture, these comments are often attended with a... Continue Reading

A believer struggling with pornography demonstrates that he or she can’t handle open access. The desires of their flesh are too strong and their self-control too weak. We take away their freedom to open access to protect them from themselves.   A young man or woman comes to you, admitting their struggle with pornography. Let’s say... Continue Reading