This morning in my devotional reading, I finished the Gospel of John. After meditating for several days on the interchange between Jesus and Peter in 21:15-19, this morning I went on to the last exchange of the book—Peter’s … Continue reading
The hardest part of being a pastor is the feeling that you are always on a stage; always on display. People come to you with problems, with bits and pieces of their life and expect that you will … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part VIII The claim of being a Christian should be a guarantee of honesty and integrity in business matters. Unfortunately, it is easy to claim to be a Christian when you aren’t. Christians look just … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part VII If you’ve lived in a small town you understand how quickly news spreads. We lived in a town of about 450 people for four years. As the only resident pastor, I was constantly … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part VI Language is a powerful device. Something as simple as a combination of sounds emanating from the human mouth can inspire and elevate, or repulse and infuriate. Words in church meant to inspire are … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part V Paul commands that the elders of the church are to be the “husband of one wife.” This qualification has caused much contention and in our day of easy divorce it can be one … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part IV In a world that assumes women’s presence in every endeavor, it seems backwards and hateful to restrict women from certain roles. In this fight, like all others, Christians must following scripture not the … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part III With record low job approval ratings worldwide, we expect little good from our national leaders. Even in the church, bad leadership seems more the rule than the exception. Just like other problems faced … Continue reading
Qualifications of Elders: Part II Who leads any organization or group will depend on its purpose. The church is Christ’s representative on earth, reaching those he died for, teaching those he has saved, and equipping those he is … Continue reading
Qualification of Elders Part I Elders who handle the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor—at least according to Paul. The apostles never imagined one man rule for any church, for any location, for any … Continue reading