Articles
Reading for Transformation
Formation versus Information About five years ago I was having coffee with a local pastor, and we were discussing literature and my passion for reading. I was telling him about how vital I believe reading to be for us as ministers, and, after hearing me out, my pastor...
Listening for Formation
Listening to the Word of God makes us aware that we cannot simply adapt and adjust to the realities of a divided society. But especially in a society that is divided in the way ours is, the church’s work of formation is about listening to the Word of God in a way that...
The Vitality of Christian Community
With church attendance rebounding since the pandemic, Christians need to be encouraged to recall and remember what the writers of the Bible say about the vitality of Christian community, not to mention the command from God to meet together. Now more than ever,...
Ministry of Ḥesed
IV. Notes Towards a Ministry of Ḥesed Thoughts on ḥesed Does a ministry of ḥesed exist? I suggest that we can identify the ministry of ḥesed as, first of all, whatever springs from a heart that is like God’s heart—compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness, peace, faith,...
Why Memorize Scripture?
No one in the history of the church has had as much access to Scripture as we do in the twenty-first-century Western world. As I sit at my dining room table in southern Missouri, there are seven Bibles I could reach in ten steps or less. But this hasn’t always been...
The Danger of Loneliness
When Ben and Jenna got married, they both had a thriving community of friends and family around them. Then, a few months into their marriage, Jenna unexpectedly got offered an incredible job promotion. Along with a significant salary increase, this promotion also...
The End of Estrangement
Thoughts on ḥesed Recently, I was very kindly invited to join a group of writers commenting on current events from a Christian perspective. Reluctantly, I declined, feeling that were I to write about the procession of evils that our society experiences and the...
The Gift of Humor
What is humor? Humor is defined as the capacity to express or perceive what is funny. This capacity begins to develop at an early age. Infants form a sense of humor by watching how others respond to their different behaviors. We are hardwired with the ability to...
The Spirit’s Power
Our Longing for Closeness Bone of My Bones The English word for intimacy comes from the Latin word intimus, meaning “inner.” Thus, intimacy involves two people opening their inner selves to each other. It is entering into each other’s lives emotionally,...
Holy Spirit’s Power
The Power of the Spirit in Our Weakness A former acquaintance, whom I will call Jim, left his lucrative career to enroll in a graduate program in Bible. He became quite legendary as a man of prayer. Later, while visiting me, Jim seemed obviously discouraged. He shared...
Discovering ḥesed
II. The Great Gift Thoughts on ḥesed In my childhood years, people told me many times, “God loves you.” I was hardly in a position to disagree, but mentally I often added, “and He has a long list of improvements He wants you to make.” I am afraid that sounded to me...
Three Ways to Make Collaborative Leadership Effective in Your Ministry, Community, or Business
Collaborative leadership is a subject embraced by many but practiced by few. For some leaders, the subject finds them heading for the door! Collaboration can mean endless discussions with little direction. For others, collaboration is the flavor of the month, and they...
Revitalize Bible Reading
Does Bible Reading Make You Feel Frustrated and Bored? It May Be Time for a Reset. “Can I share a secret?” the woman asked. Sitting in an empty sanctuary with an interviewer and a cameraman, about to begin recording, she suddenly felt the need to come clean. “I’ve...
The Role of Technology in Modern Church Leadership
Technology has become an indispensable part of our lives, revolutionizing all kinds of industries. The realm of religion and spirituality is no exception. In this article, we’ll explore how technology can help the church and how it’s transforming the worship...
Israel Declares War – Operation “Swords of Iron”
Who is to Blame? October 9, 2023 by Dennis D. Frey For the first time in fifty years, Israel has declared war. The previous 1973 conflict known as "the Yom Kippur War," was fought against an Arab coalition of combatants led by Egypt and Syria, with support forces...
Ḥesed and Friendship
I. “Learn what this means…” Thoughts on ḥesed … [Jesus] said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners...
The Decline of Belief in God, Jesus and the Bible Among Gen Z
What does Gen Z believe about God, Jesus, and the Bible? Based on the sheer number of Gen Zers who claim to be atheists, at least a third of you reading this are probably raising a child who embraces atheism. Not only that, most of the 63 percent of Gen Zers who...
Moses on 4 Elements of Successful Fundraising
Moses, that great…fundraiser? You bet. If you need to raise money for ministry expansion, Moses provides an excellent example in his capital campaign to build the Tabernacle. Element #1: The Leader Proclaims God's Commands for the People to Give Willingly. God could...
Passing on Faith: How to Connect with the Next Generation
I had just finished speaking at the fourth service (of five services) at a church in California. Any morning energy I’d had from coffee had worn off, and my stomach kept sending fierce reminders that I should have eaten that morning. Following every service, I would...
Dealing with Anxiety and Control Issues in Life
Maybe you deal with anxiety by going into control mode. If I asked you to tell me specifically what causes you anxiety, what isn’t working in your life, what would you say? Chances are many of you wouldn’t point to circumstances or mention a situation; rather, you’d...
