When looking to ancient history it can be difficult to separate fact from legend. But we do know that Monica responded to her son’s rebellion with prayer—earnest, pleading, tear-filled prayer and fasting. One bishop who knew of Monica’s prayers comforted her by saying, “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should... Continue Reading

Leaders must continually learn, and leaders who are isolated greatly limit their learning, thus greatly limiting their effectiveness. Isolated leaders are divorced from the reality of their context, so they lead in ways that are out of sync with reality. Leaders are responsible for the people they lead, are responsible to serve and love them... Continue Reading

Then, she explained the true Biblical meaning of the rainbow symbol. “The rainbow was a covenent made between God and all his creation that never again would the world be flooded as it was when He destroyed the world during Noah’s time. “It’s a constant reminder that no matter how corrupt this world becomes, He... Continue Reading

It’s important to remember that God is just as invested in helping us fulfill his purposes for our lives, as we are. The Bible tells us that God cares about the details of our lives (Psalm 37:23) and he is preparing us for the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do... Continue Reading

Five years ago it was easy to find readings that challenged and even offended the evangelical college students “considering the secular bent of contemporary gender studies.” But today, things are different. “Students now,” she says, “arrive in my class thoroughly versed in the language and categories of identity politics; they are reticent to disagree with anything for... Continue Reading

In the end,  I’ll take a good old paleo-Calvinist any day over a neo one. An old Reformed dinosaur who read Graeme Goldsworthy before he was famous in the USA, who loves Spurgeon, but baulks at cigars; who has quietly led his family well for decades; who has convictions about complementarianism, but doesn’t feel the... Continue Reading

Leaders should ask these questions both on a daily basis and during critical moments. Of course, these aren’t the only questions to ask; context certainly matters. But I have found these five to be a very practical and useful way to ensure understanding, generate new ideas, inspire progress, encourage responsibility, and remain focused on what... Continue Reading

“Google searches tell us more than surveys or social media posts, the book points out, because all the factors are there to make people honest. No one is there in front of you. You’re alone. You’re seeking out the answers to the questions you really have.”   Imagine if you had a truth serum that... Continue Reading

Johnson, the former 11-year-old unwitting bride who is now fighting for Florida to set a minimum marriage age (there is none now), says that her family attended a conservative Pentecostal church and that other girls of a similar age periodically also married. Often, she says, this was to hide rapes by church elders. She says... Continue Reading

One Sunday, shortly before my 28th birthday, I walked into a church for the first time as someone earnestly seeking God. Before long I found myself overwhelmed.  At last I was fully known and seen and, I realised, unconditionally loved – perhaps I had a sense of relief from no longer running from God.  A... Continue Reading