God hasn’t called pastors to maximize reach or maintain relevance. He’s called them to shepherd souls through the faithful ministry of His Word, and that calling doesn’t bend just because the tools have changed. Any tool that serves that calling can be used with gratitude and restraint. Any tool that begins to displace it should... Continue Reading

“You were bought with a price” (v. 20). By the purchase price of His blood, Jesus has not only delivered our souls from sin, but He has redeemed our bodies. The body may not yet be what it will be, but not a drop of that precious blood has been spilled in vain, and we “belong—body... Continue Reading

Marriages that are not primarily built on sexual attraction, in one sense, are on the fast track to understanding what truly builds a great marriage. They’re also uniquely equipped to acknowledge the hard work that is required in achieving truly fulfilling sexual intimacy. The butterflies of love at first sight say nothing about the quality... Continue Reading

On Polity Matters we are currently working our way through the final section of the Book of Church Order, so all of our newest episodes are about worship. I thought it would be worthwhile to reflect on these matters here, as they pertain to the aim of this blog as a whole. What follows is... Continue Reading

Wherever power exists, the church is called not to dominate cultures but to bear faithful witness. The hope of the world is not found in exporting political systems or reshaping societies through force, but in proclaiming Christ and making disciples among all nations.   Recent headlines remind us that the world is restless. Social unrest,... Continue Reading

You are in sin, but Jesus loves you. He is gently and lovingly inviting you to join the great celebration of grace. Will you join the party, or stand outside in a huff? Will you receive grace, or walk away sad?   For years, I believed Jesus reserved His loving kindness for the obviously broken:... Continue Reading

What if, hundreds of years from today, people shaped their view of church government from a letter from a governor writing to a president who knew nothing about Christianity, but from interrogation and torture? To put weight on this one term, which is indecisive at best, is to be shaped by an unbeliever and outsider... Continue Reading

Faithful ministry makes much of God and little of us. It is not performative because it is not ultimately concerned with appearances. It is willing to do what is right even when the cost potentially involves losing credibility or influence, because the name most worthy of being preserved is the name of the Savior.  ... Continue Reading

Having a coach is not always within the financial means of everyone, but don’t let that slow you down. You know a lot and you can learn and grow a lot more.   God has blessed me at times with coaches and mentors. Even though it wouldn’t be one-on-one coaching, someday I would like to... Continue Reading

God forbid that any of you would be saying in your heart, “If it looks like I have to suffer for this, I’ve got a way to get myself free from suffering.” What sort of way is that? “Oh, the last time I begged mercy and I confessed I’d done wrong and I promised never... Continue Reading