What is it like to read your Bible and pray on the International Space Station (ISS)? Implied in the question is the notion that Bible reading and prayer are somehow enhanced given the vantage point. There certainly is an acute awareness and... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Discipleship programs. Discipleship pastors. Discipleship pressure. So much talk about discipleship in the church today. And rightly so. Following Jesus means obeying the Great Commission, with its command to make disciples of all the nations. But... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Jesus gave the Great Commission to his church almost 2,000 years ago. He clearly instructed us to make disciples in every people group, to baptize them, and to teach them to obey everything he has commanded. After all these years, more than half of... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
The church should never stray far from its historical faith. Still, between sermon prep, home visits, weddings, and other commitments, the average pastor often struggles to find time to read church history. Following are three reasons pastors should... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
It has been estimated that the average human being utters between 10,000 and 20,000 words per day. Consider that fact in light of Solomon’s words in Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Moving back to the states for missionaries can be jarring. Reverse culture shock is real. Everything feels new, from HOA rules to driving etiquette to homeschool regulation. But the one thing we could wish would be familiar, even easy—with a measure... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
No one denies that a preaching class and some coaching can help anyone become better. What we question is the possibility that someone with no natural giftedness and ability can be taught well enough that he can become really good. On the first day... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
Few weeks go by without someone reminding pastors that 85 percent to 90 percent of churches are plateaued or declining. This means at least four out of five pastors lead churches in need of revitalization. The work is difficult. For every story of a... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
David Brainerd was a missionary to the American Indians in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. Brainerd’s primary method in his mission work was Christ-centered preaching. According to Brainerd, Christ was the energizing center of every... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
More than any other aspect of a pastor’s calling, prayer is the most difficult to maintain. Prayer requires time. And prayer is usually most fruitful when done in a quiet place, without constant interruption or distraction. Unfortunately, prayer... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
