Much Ado about Something? Nagging Questions about Observing Lent
Too many evangelical Christians are considering their newly found practice of Lent with what might be called a “liturgical inferiority complex.”
Let us be sure that when we go looking for the approbation of Christian antiquity, that we are not chasing some romanticized ideal of what constitutes the genuine and the pure. The current “chase” after Lent convinces this writer that the evangelical pursuit of romantic ideals is like a stallion, still needing to be tamed.... Continue Reading
Britain’s Anti-Extremism Plans Include Inspecting Sunday Schools
Christian groups in the United Kingdom recoiling at government proposal to inspect youth groups, Sunday schools, and scout troops for “undesirable teaching” as part of an attempt to combat ISIS.
“The idea of having an Ofsted inspector sitting in on your church youth group or Sunday school to see if you are an extremist is, I have to say, highly offensive,” the institute’s president Colin Hart wrote. “Ofsted is hardly equipped to judge the intensely complex and sensitive issues of private religious instruction. … It... Continue Reading
Four Reasons Why Preaching Is Leading
Preaching entails much more than building leadership credibility. But for the pastor, leading begins in the preaching event.
It seems that in today’s culture, there is a dearth of pastoral leadership. Pastors must become better leaders. Pastors should avoid the foolish mistakes of dictatorial leadership or indecisiveness. Pastors should listen longer and be patient with people. Pastors should learn and apply timeless as well as contemporary leadership insights and lessons. But of all... Continue Reading
Today’s Lessons From Yesterday’s Reformation
Three “insights” from the Reformation that have captured my attention and subsequently influenced my approach to ministry.
It is a simple but also profound fact: When God raises up a leader, that leader will attract, multiply and mobilize other leaders and to ensure their perseverance, effectiveness and maturity God will raise up and send other leaders to work in tandem with them. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95... Continue Reading
The Advantages of Informal Mentoring
The best learning comes not from simply listening to a mentor but from seeing truth lived out in the mentor’s life.
The greatest impact I have made as a teacher and a minister has been not through preaching to crowds or teaching classes, as vital as those are. It has been those individuals who have walked with me beyond the classroom or small group in normal, everyday life, talking about ministry and theology to be sure,... Continue Reading
I’m Not Being Fed….
People need truth that shapes their hearts into the obedience.
We don’t need more didactic moments that simply tickle the minds of those who thirst for more information; we need the forming of the heart though great sermons powerfully delivered. People need truth that shapes hearts into the obedience that comes through faith so people can be doers of the Word and not just hearers... Continue Reading
7 Lessons I Learned From My 7 1/2 Years As A Missionary In Honduras
Simple Christ-centered lessons I have learned over my years of missionary service.
It is wonderful to be reminded that I am not as important as I think I am. We as individuals are not that vital to God’s cosmic plans. I will never understand why God doesn’t use the rocks and the trees to accomplish his will. However, he has chosen to use us. He doesn’t need... Continue Reading
Supreme Court to Hear Westminster Seminary’s Case
The United States Supreme Court has accepted for review Westminster Theological Seminary’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
“Westminster filed the lawsuit because it objects to the regulations enacted under the Affordable Care Act that require the seminary to provide abortifacients (drugs and devices that can cause abortions), including the morning-after pill, to its employees under its health insurance policy. The Supreme Court will hear our case on March 23rd, 2016.” Under... Continue Reading
Geneva College Names Twentieth President
Dr. Calvin L. Troup Becomes President Elect of Geneva College
Dr. Troup comes to Geneva from Duquesne University’s Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies where he directed the university’s nationally-ranked Rhetoric Ph.D. Program. Before serving at Duquesne for 20 years, he also taught at Penn State in University Park, PA and Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. He graduated from Geneva College with a bachelor’s degree... Continue Reading
Six Ways Ministry Spouses Get Hurt
It is indeed tough to be in vocational ministry. But it’s also tough to be the spouse of these ministers.
“A worship minister shared with us this tragic story. He was caught up in some worship wars, an all too common reality. The worship leader, however, was pretty thick-skinned, and moved forward despite the criticisms. When the critics saw they were not making progress with the worship leader, they began to attack his wife with... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- …
- 177
- Next Page »