FIRST-PERSON: 10 reasons confession to one another matters
None of us likes to confess our sin to another believer. Instead, we too often choose to hide in our sin. Ultimately, God is the one who forgives us, but here are reasons we must prayerfully consider confessing our wrong to another brother or sister in Christ:
When waiting on God is really hard
When I became a believer at age 13, my pastor told me to begin praying for my parents to become believers. I followed his direction, and I started praying that God would save my mom and dad. These prayers would go on for 47 years.
10 ways to build ‘Word-based credibility’ in your church
Charles Spurgeon, one of my favorite writers, spoke often about the minister’s responsibility to guard himself, to “take heed, therefore, to yourselves first, that you be that which you persuade others to be.”* He pushed leaders to be people of integrity and credibility.
8 reasons every church leader needs accountability
As I began ministry decades ago, few people were talking about accountability. More are using that language today, but we still have much room for growth.
10 reasons all of us need a resolution to take care of ourselves physically
I confess that I don’t always take care of myself as I should. I have to work hard to maintain a healthy weight, keep my blood pressure down, etc. As a Christian, I see this issue of exercise and bodily well-being as more a spiritual one than a physical one.
Why I started studying spiritual warfare, and how my story might help you
I’ve studied and written about spiritual warfare for more than 30 years now. In fact, you can study the topic with me through the Church Answers “Church Equip” course, “Engaging in Spiritual Warfare.” In some ways, that short course reflects the core of what I’ve taught over the years.
12 Christmas gifts that don’t cost money
Christmas can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, we usually give gifts that don’t last anyway. This Christmas, give one of these gifts to someone that doesn't cost any money.
12 surprising ‘thank you’ prayers to pray right now
We are only a day away from Thanksgiving 2024. Many of us will gather with families and friends, and we’ll express our thanks to God for relationships, love, food, salvation, etc. When you pray in your own quiet time, though, think about praying these surprising prayers, too: Take some time even now to pray one […]
10 factors that help long-term pastors stay at their church
In my second pastorate, I stayed at the church for just over eleven years. At the time, more than a decade at one church was almost unheard of. I’ve paid attention since then to pastors who stay at their church for at least ten years, and here are some traits I’ve seen in these pastors.
The idol of worry
I admit it: sometimes I allow the idol of worry to divert me from the answer to worry. Maybe you do, too.