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April 14, 2012 0Likes 0Comments

Methods & Results

Whether we live as students, employees, or church leaders, we are often confronted with the question of how will we live and how we will decide how to live.  Recently, I read the following suggestion: We need to be less concerned with the method (traditions) and more concerned with results. But is that really true? Our methods determine our results. As we know, ends do not justify the means, and our traditions guide us towards positive results & guard us from negative results. For example, our theological traditions, such as the creeds, guard us against false doctrine and false practice. The process…

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April 14, 2012 0Likes 0Comments
January 28, 2012 0Likes 0Comments

A Reminder About Quarreling (2 Tim. 2:14)

2 Tim 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Pastors and church leaders are called to be spiritual “reminderers.” The goal of ministry is not to invent new ideas or new teachings. Instead, men and women need to be reminded what God had already communicated. And when it comes to quarreling, a reminder is what we need. The reminder not to quarrel is presented before God Himself. God is the authority here, not man. The reason for not quarreling is not…

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January 28, 2012 0Likes 0Comments
April 7, 2011 1Like 0Comments

Explicit & Implicit Theology

When leading congregations, Christian leaders must be aware of both explicit and implicit theologies. What people believe determines how they act, and because of that, church members will continue to act according to the theologies that they hold. Without an awareness of both explicit and implicit theologies, church leaders can waste time, “spinning their wheels” on technical fixes to problems, while ignoring the deeper issues that are involved. Though it can take years, but church leaders need to address the explicit and implicit theologies of their congregants. To begin with, explicit theology is what a church expressly believes. Explicit theology…

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April 7, 2011 1Like 0Comments
March 12, 2011 0Likes 0Comments

Thoughts on Family Ministry

The family was designed by God to be a unique place, the most basic form of community, where much of our spiritual growth can occur. Because God designed families, churches should support families and minister to them. In this effort, churches need to encourage families to live out their faith outside of Sunday morning. It is during the week, within the natural context of our home, where we make our daily decision to follow Christ. At a formal level, midweek gatherings help parents, children, and youth to refocus on Christ. At the same time, there needs to be balance. Especially…

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March 12, 2011 0Likes 0Comments
April 6, 2010 0Likes 0Comments

Jesus Hasn’t Forgotten

If you’ve ever been hurt in your life, you know that the memory doesn’t go away. Whether someone hit you, betrayed you, neglected you, or somehow otherwise injured you, the memory can remain for years. It may even replay in your mind when triggered by a sound or image. Even when forgiving the other person, you do not forget how much it hurt. In a similar way, Jesus did not get “amnesia” when He ascended into heaven. Jesus still remembers the mockery, the pain, and the sacrifice that he received for me and you. His forgiveness is so much greater…

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April 6, 2010 0Likes 0Comments
October 9, 2008 0Likes 0Comments

God-Honoring Worship

How can we honor God in our worship? Although Exodus 20:22-26 is not frequently quoted in the context of worship, it provides some direction for us. In speaking to Moses, God gives the Israelites four instructions. They are simple and helpful, even for us today: 1. Do not worship anyone else beside me. (v.23) 2. It is absolutely necessary to worship me. (v.24) 3. Where I am worshiped, I will bless. (v.24b) 4. I deserve to be worshiped reverently. (v.26) These instructions may seem familiar, but they serve as a helpful corrective for us. Does the worship in our lives…

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October 9, 2008 0Likes 0Comments
April 14, 2008 0Likes 0Comments

Ministry: Our Source of Competence

Every disciple of Christ is called to ministry; it is a calling for everyone. Our response to that call, however, usually involves either feelings of inadequacy or self-sufficiency: (1) Some disciples feel inadequate to be serving on behalf of Christ. Whether because of limited education or lack of experience, these disciples often feel as if someone else could do a better job. They are constantly second guessing themselves. (2) Other disciples feel fully prepared to be serving. Because of their training, experience, or resume, these disciples know what ministry is all about. They have learned some successful tools of ministry…

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April 14, 2008 0Likes 0Comments
April 4, 2008 0Likes 0Comments

Medium vs. the Message

Although I haven’t read much of Karl Barth’s writings, thanks to Richard Mouw’s blog, I discovered these deeply penetrating ideas in his Prayer and Preaching.  Among many other pieces of advice, Barth offers the following advice regarding preaching: Do not indulge in allegory; exercising one’s talents on the Word hinders it from sounding out clearly. One should also beware of intruding one’s own individuality or enlarging on one’s personal experience by using illustrations or parables drawn from events in one’s own life. Barth’s emphasis on the sufficiency of God’s Word is a refreshing reminder that we are messengers of the…

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April 4, 2008 0Likes 0Comments
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