Following Jesus is not cheap! The essence of discipleship, according to Bonhoeffer, is found in the invitation from Christ to come and die. This invitation is not cheap. The gift of salvation is free, it costs us nothing. If there were a price that humanity could pay, and to be...
Most of the Nation was horrified and stunned as together we witnessed the cruelest brutality, to date, ever viewed on a live nationally broadcast television report. The old saying is, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Most of Americans were left speechless and numb. There were no words to...
I believe the local church is the only real hope for stemming the tide and turning around the moral and spiritual decay in our society. There is nothing like the local church when the local church is on its “A” game. The challenge for those of us who are so...
Pastors are people too! Sometimes I need to remind myself of that little simple fact. It is not that I think I am invincible or invulnerable it’s that sometimes we (pastors) get so busy being “strong” for everyone else that we forget to simply be human. Recently several of our...
Working in the church is not a job, it’s a calling. Failure to realize this simple fact has created a boatload of problems in church and para-church organizations. I have witnessed burn-out, depression, issues with anger, lack of or loss of personal boundaries, and total disillusionment with the church because...
“Show me your bank statement and I’ll tell you your priorities!” It’s hard for me to forget that line. I heard a pastor share it as part of his stewardship emphasis sermon. At the time I wanted to argue with him. Now, years later, I find myself in complete agreement. ...
Churches and para-church ministries are notorious for promoting the “summer slump.” Most do not do it intentionally it just happens. Ministries slow down or taper off, choirs take a break, Sunday School teachers and Small Group Leaders look for opportunities to rest, church members opt for the links, the beach...
There is a price to be paid for spiritual power. God’s power does not come simply because we desire it and it will never arrive without our desiring it. Jesus instructed his Disciples to go to Jerusalem and to wait (tarry) until they were clothed with power. It is interesting...
It’s so easy ANY Christian can do it! It’s not rocket science and it does not involve a steep learning curve. The major requirement is a heart for God and a love for people. That’s it plain and simple. Our love for God and for people should be the hallmark...
When is it okay, if ever, to ask someone to leave a local church and not to return? I mean, after all, the church is a place for sinners, its Christ’s church and not ours, and we are supposed to be in the business of “reaching out” not pushing or...
