Articles
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...
Finding Peace in Life’s Uncertainties
How’s your way working? I know a lot of different readers have a lot of different things going on in their lives. I’m just wondering how your way is working for you? I know some of you are married, but a lot of you aren’t married. What if you never get married? Have...
Unlocking the Power of Redemptive Leadership
A charismatic leader in a church with a wide influence on the various assistant pastors, directors, and small group leaders used his influence too often in unChristian ways. He had an eye for who “fit” and who had the “DNA.” He also perceived those who disagreed with...
3 Mistakes Churches Make in Prayer Ministries
Okay, you’ve read and heard this verse many times. But let’s read it closely and carefully one more time: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer” (Acts...
The Megachurch Down the Road Is . . . Fading?
This topic surfaces in almost every church consultation or interview we do. People in smaller churches believe that megachurches have taken—or “stolen” as they often say—their families. The matriarch in one interview certainly thought so. She named almost a dozen...
Ministering to Married Couples in Crisis
Practically everywhere we turn today, we find someone we care about experiencing some sort of marital crisis. And the fallout does not just impact the couple themselves. Children, extended family, church community, and overall cultural health are all negatively...
How Social Media Changes Us
Social media likely shapes the people you love and disciple more than you do. What are you going to do about it? I think there are, simply speaking, two wrong ways to approach social media: 1) uncritical embrace and 2) passive ignorance. These are two ends of a...
Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation
As the calendar year winds down, as the days darken and grow short, as Christmas songs spill from crowded stores and children set about making wish lists for Santa, the church’s year dawns. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent begins. The first day of Advent...
