Articles
Motivated To Missions? …Or Not?
Are you self-motivated? Are you the type that wakes up without an alarm clock to go read the Bible and exercise before the day even begins? Are you the type whose just always cleaned the bedroom before mom had to ask? Are you the type who seeks out new job...
Why I Hate John 3:16
John 3:16 is arguably the most familiar verse in the Bible. It seems everywhere you look there is a sign with this verse on it. Most sporting events will have at least one person setting in the stands with this verse in large letters on a poster board. “So, is that a...
A Life of Listening
That year when my mother left us could have been a terribly lonely time as I finished my first year of high school. But I had friends, especially Danny Goldsmith, whom I had known since fifth grade when we traded postage stamps. Danny and I would walk home from high...
Powerful New App
Conflict resolution is an interesting idea, but it is often very difficult to achieve. It's no wonder that so many Christians rightly solicit the wise counsel of their pastor. The only problem with that is that scheduling time with a pastor can be...
Comforters
“He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.” (2Corinthians 1:4 GWT) We all go through difficulties. Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this...
Why Church
Many years have passed since I had my crisis of “church faith.” My conversion to Jesus at the age of sixteen was in some ways a conversion away from the church I had come to experience and only partially love. I had tried to leave the church and just focus on...
Orphan-Care as Strategic Pastoral Ministry
I am the result of a teen pregnancy that predates Roe v. Wade by just over one year. God placed me in a loving family and church where I was influenced by the gospel. God gave me a wife who is concerned for the gospel, the church, and the needs of vulnerable kids. God...
Confessions of an Angry Pastor
Augustine’s Confessions was the very first Western autobiography. Countless others have followed. The newest is by Brent C. Hofer. Brent, what’s it about? As pastors, it’s not enough for us to manage anger. Recovery is possible. I’m living proof....
Five Keys to an Effective Evangelism Strategy
How many people have you invited to church in the last week? The last month? The last year? I’ll be honest, for me the answer would be not near enough. But in my defense, I generally see the same 3-5 people each week in my small town, and they all have a home church....
Stand-off
“Stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18b BSB) My son, Paul Jr., was a fairly mild mannered boy growing up. Though sometimes an instigator of mischief toward his older sisters, he tended to “turn the other cheek” when...
We Were Created For Worship
I notice that when I put on praise and worship music and spend some time listening and singing the words, and take time to focus on God and thank Him for loving me and for all of His countless blessings in my life, it changes my whole day for the better. I think I...
Prayer: A Ritual or a Relationship?
Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Does time alone with God in prayer hold the highest priority in your day, or does it get pushed aside by the urgent? Are you just saying words, or are you pouring out your heart to the Father? To be honest, most of us struggle...
Three Misconceptions Your Congregation May Have about Faith and Works
One of the perennial puzzles for preachers is how to best communicate the statements about justification from James and Paul. On the one hand, James writes, “A person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Yet Paul says, “One is justified by faith...
3 Questions Every Small Town Pastor Should be Asking
Do you remember the Robert Frost poem “The Road Not Taken?” The premise is in life we have choices, and sometimes choosing to take the road less traveled can make all the difference. Today, I was looking through some old notebooks of mine and came across some thoughts...
Gifts
“However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.” (Ephesian 4:7 NLT) I have a friend that is one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. He has an uncanny ability to explain the most complex theology is concise, simple, and often,...
Preventing Pastoral Stress and Burnout
Serving the local church as a pastor is a calling, and on the best days, there’s nothing more fulfilling than leading a congregation into deeper relationship with God. But, on other days, we pastors face challenges that are unique to our individual...
God’s Grace in Using Your Free Will for the Better
Decide never to misuse or abuse your free will to indulge in your fallen human nature. In the physical world, falling is easier than climbing. Climbing takes effort; to fall, all you have to do is let go. Because of the law of gravity, the natural state of any object...
Evil Has a Strategy and So Should We
I often find myself saddened and frustrated as I watch the news. Hearing the news of shootings, burnings of churches, human trafficking, death, disease and disorder is heart breaking. The more I hear these stories the more I am reminded that the pain and trails of...
Every Day Can Be a Special Day
There are many days scattered throughout the year that emphasize certain things, though many of them are tucked and hidden away. Apparently National Rocky Road Day, Hug Your Cat Day, and Flag Day are among just some of the special emphases that make the June...
Are You a Disquieted Pastor?
It happened again this past Monday. A dedicated, hard-working veteran pastor told me about the problems within his church. He listed a number of tell-tale markers as he expressed his deep frustrations. When he was done, I paused, noting the pain written...
