God’s vision for His new community - the church. It is His family which He loves, His kingdom which He rules and His temple in which He dwells. As this reality dawns in our hearts, we “shall constantly be seeking to make our church’s worship more authentic, its fellowship more caring, and its outreach more compassionate. … Continue reading God’s Vision for His Church
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Our Journey to God in Some Poky Little Church
In chapter two of his book The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis points out that nature, for all its staggering beauty, is limited for the seeker of God; natural beauty can't communicate God's truths about salvation and about the contemplative life of following Christ. "Nature cannot satisfy the desires she arouses nor answer theological questions … Continue reading Our Journey to God in Some Poky Little Church
To Be Trusted
“Trusted” serves as a compelling theme for our church's stewardship campaign this year! It leaves you wondering who is trusting whom. Are we trusting God in our investment of His resources or does God trust us with His resources? Well, like in many similar dilemmas, it is not either/or but both/and. Stewardship always involves us … Continue reading To Be Trusted
“What kind of pastor would you like as your pastor?”
The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy and us that pastors and all church leaders must be those who "hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience" (1 Timothy 3:9). This hit me with new force today in light of recent pastor scandals in the evangelical church in America. Alexander McColl once asked … Continue reading “What kind of pastor would you like as your pastor?”
John Murray’s Counsel to Church Leaders
"Spend at least fifteen minutes every day meditating on some word of God connected with His promises to His church -- and then plead with Him for its fulfillment." A great place to start might be Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18b: I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail … Continue reading John Murray’s Counsel to Church Leaders
Three Priorities During A Season of Change
What are we to focus on during times of organizational change? Here are three priorities for leaders during a season of significant change in your church's life: a. Hospitality: Express biblical love for strangers. This is the literal definition of hospitality in the original New Testament. We are called to welcome and listen to those who … Continue reading Three Priorities During A Season of Change
When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
I was thinking this morning about some of my friends in church leadership who have been critiqued recently for not leading well and strongly enough. Others have been accused of being too autocratic and not collegial enough in their leadership style. Below is a short portion of a sermon from John Charles Ryle, an evangelical, … Continue reading When You are Misunderstood or Maligned as a Leader
Healthy Church Leaders
Not long ago I had a young elder ask me to mentor him. This coincided with a devotional given to our staff by our pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Sandy Willson. Thus, below are portions of a letter I wrote using Sandy's outline for healthy church leaders.First of all, thank you for wanting input, friendship, … Continue reading Healthy Church Leaders
Family Discipleship – Passing the Baton of Faith
The most perilous moment in a relay race centers on the exchange of the baton from one runner to the next. This fitting metaphor perfectly describes parenting our children. For a Christian parent, there is nothing more important than passing the baton of faith and teaching our children the praiseworthy works and powerful word of … Continue reading Family Discipleship – Passing the Baton of Faith
Reflections on What Jesus Desires for His Church
The prayer in John 17 is Jesus’ longest prayer recorded in Scripture. In it, Jesus reveals his priorities for His people and what he was most passionate about for us prior to His death for our sins. Christ does not pray that his disciples might be rich and great in the world, but that … Continue reading Reflections on What Jesus Desires for His Church
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