Robert Cheong, the lead counseling pastor of Sojourn Church in Lousville, Ky., said his ministry looks to care for suicide survivors with the gospel much in the same way it cares for anyone who loses a loved one. With a suicide survivor, he tries to address any shame or stigma associated with suicide and answer... Continue Reading

Perhaps preaching, leadership, and administration keep you preoccupied, and you do not do much hands-on pastoral work. It can easily happen. Many pastors don’t make and take time for serious talking with people. In effect, they are counseling people to think that most of us don’t need the give and take of candid, constructive conversation.... Continue Reading

“Although Providence has always pursued and maintained the highest standards of academic excellence in the classroom, receiving accreditation underscores an important milestone for Providence, its constituents, as well as for current and future students. It is a testament to the overall financial sustainability of the college. Additionally, accreditation will provide a more favorable opportunity for... Continue Reading

Show me how to help my kids grow up like normal kids. “I really worry about the glass house syndrome with my wife and kids. I’m particularly worried that my children will see so much of the negative that they will grow up hating the church. I’ve seen it happen too many times.” In an... Continue Reading

I’m not surprised by bitter, socially uncomfortable pastors with messy or dysfunctional relationships at home, tense relationships with staff members and lay leaders, and secret, unconfessed sin. We have become comfortable with defining ourselves in a less than biblical way. We approach God as less than needy, so we’re less open to the ministry of... Continue Reading

In a blog post, Mahaney cited an imminent SGM transition to a “new polity” as the reason for the change and said plans for his resignation began in October 2012. Mahaney said he is “eager to once again devote my attention to pastoral ministry. Returning to the pulpit of a local church last September has... Continue Reading

Do you constantly scrutinize your appearance? Is it as though you walk around with a mirror held out in front of you reminding you what is lacking? In reality, that mirror reflects a distorted perception; much like a carnival mirror that distorts reality. It not only prevents you from seeing yourself accurately, but it creates... Continue Reading

Most schools with Calvin College’s financial profile and good credit carry debt service payments of between 5% and 7.3% of their operating budgets. Calvin College’s debt service payments are at about 6.1% now and will grow to 9.2% by 2017 if our revenue holds constant. The problem is that we have not built more than... Continue Reading

Can local churches become a natural home for counseling ministry? Often the limitations or failures of the church get cited first, making it seem that church is at best an adjunct to “the real work of counseling.” But, in principle, the local church is the natural home for face-to-face ministry. Counseling can and should thrive... Continue Reading

“I believe that the Washington area provides tremendous exposure to the local, national, and international Christian movement,” said Redd. “We aim to build and nurture a seminary community that serves a variety of constituencies in church, para-church, and lay ministries around the region. I am thrilled to join the RTS/Washington team as well as local... Continue Reading