When people feel empowered, they are more likely to be transparent and honest. It keeps a church from being tribalistic. A man who continually gives away authority teaches those around him that he is most interested in the success of the gospel, regardless of who’s leading (see Phil. 1:12ff.).   Moses: God blessed them. And... Continue Reading

What Jesus is encouraging us to do in John 14 is to invert the all-too-common paradigm for prayer. Rather than using prayer as a means to get what we want, he is inviting us to find a place in the greatest mission of all, the advent of the kingdom of God. Is prayer a matter... Continue Reading

I believe that a recovery of the spirituality of the church could allow us to enhance and better live in unity, while our diversities may be properly appreciated and don’t seem to undermine that true unity. So, the spirituality of the Church reminds us that our focus needs to be on evangelism and discipleship and... Continue Reading

We don’t need louder music. We need men with fire in their bones and Scripture on their lips. We don’t need gimmicks. We need pulpits that shake hell when they thunder the truth.   I’ve been in a lot of church services over the years. Some left me trembling at the holiness of God. Others... Continue Reading

As 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 teaches, God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from Him. We see this truth lived out constantly in grief ministry. And because up to half of our participants are unchurched, these ministries don’t only bring... Continue Reading

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lᴏʀᴅ” (Psalm 32:10). A culture that would embrace Ozzy Osbourne’s occultic idolatry desperately needs such “steadfast love” today. So know that, Darwin to the contrary, you are here on purpose for a purpose: God created you “to be... Continue Reading

Elders lead the sheep when they take time together to study God’s word to discern God’s will for his people as the church. That needs to be done wisely with one eye on scripture and one eye on the community and church….Elders also lead by being among the flock and being an example to the... Continue Reading

“If Peter was indeed given authority over the whole church; if his successors, the bishops of Rome, have the same authority; if God has providentially preserved an unbroken succession … then it is reasonable to expect that all popes would meet the basic New Testament standard for bishops, or at the very least be persons... Continue Reading

We are to teach our children the truth of God’s Word is a sacred, holy responsibility that God gives to His people. And it’s not something that is to be done only one day a week in Sunday school. We can’t abdicate the responsibility to the church. The primary responsibility for the education of children... Continue Reading

When I pray along with the meditations of the Puritans, my prayers tend to focus more on spiritual realities. These brothers help me see the glory of Christ and my sin more clearly. If you decide to utilize these prayers for yourself, I encourage you to use them in a particular way…Don’t just put on... Continue Reading