Posts Tagged ‘Church Life’
Unity in Diversity
Despite being in the mountains of West Virginia we are everything but excluded from people. Everywhere we turn, look, or move there are people. In Morgantown, there are people all over; when students are back, lots of people. My guess is there are lots of people in your city as well, and with those people…
Read MoreHow to Be a Witness at Church
We are always making an impression whether we realize it or not. Over thirty years ago I experienced this truth when a man visited the church at which I was on staff for several weeks during which he heard announcements for an upcoming men’s retreat, at which there would be golf for those interested. In…
Read MoreWhy the Dearth of Young Preachers? (Part 1)
According to Barna Research, half of all American pastors are 55 years old or older. Pastors 40 years old and younger constitute only 15 percent of the total number. These statistics indicate far more than the fact that the average gospel preacher is older than in past decades. They show that there is a dearth…
Read MoreHow Churches Can Help Visitors
In our four decades of marriage, we’ve been members of six different churches and visited several others. Most of the time, a change in church has been made necessary due to my husband’s job sending us to a new state. A couple of times, we left for other reasons, but we don’t take leaving a…
Read MoreIf Your Church Is Without a Pastor:
1. Determine to personally spend more time reading your Bible and praying than you did when you had a pastor. You need to draw close to the Lord, so He can guide you and your church’s search. 2. Determine to stay faithful to your church for as long as you are able. Let petty squabbles…
Read MoreYOU Gotta Go to Catechism
The neighborhood in which I grew up teemed with kids my age with whom I had great fun, mostly playing backyard, alley, and ballfield sports, where I made many fond memories. But I recall many an occasion after school trying to round up a pickup game, and my buddies would say, “I gotta go to…
Read MoreIs Your Way Really God’s Way?
I have addressed in a prior post (see here) the necessity of observing the difference between function and form in Scripture. While the Bible is heavy on function (what we are to do) it is light on form (how we are to do it). In fact, regarding forms in the New Testament, we find that:…
Read MoreDoing God’s Work Together
Titus 3:12-15 At the risk of over-stereotyping, please allow me to suggest that typical Midwestern Americans (and Americans in general) tend to function in an individualistic way. We keep to ourselves, rely on ourselves, and interact with other people to a limited degree. This individualistic lifestyle contrasts with the more social, relational, and community-oriented lifestyle…
Read MoreThe Holy Spirit, Like A Dove
Why did the Holy Spirit choose the dove to illustrate His ministry? In the Scriptures, there are three prominent illustrations of the Holy Spirit. He is like a dove; He is like the wind (John 3:8, Acts 2:2-4); He is like oil (especially in anointing, 1 Samuel 16:13, Isaiah 61:1, Acts 10:38). For a few…
Read MoreMarks of a Forward-Looking Ministry
Tit 1.4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. In an age fascinated by startup companies, it’s also fascinating to acknowledge longstanding, multi-generational companies which have weathered the sands of time. Consider the following four companies which have operated for more…
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