The weekend of New Years 2017 I posted this article on the church website as many desire to ‘check out’ a church at the beginning of the new year. I have written many things through the years that go unnoticed. This article, in contrast, got a great deal of attention, both good and bad. Having…
James
Advocate, Teacher, Mentor, Stormer of Brains, Slayer of Sadness
Types of Gossip and How It Kills a Church
Those for whom Christ died are precious to Him. He has offered His own life for their redemption and has given them the promise of sharing in His glorious resurrection on the Day of His coming. So when division and strife are found unchecked in the local church, it is not just a sad day…
A Quick Point on Racial Unity
Social change is everyone’s dream. Well, most people desire to see a better community, fairness, affection and unity in all areas of life. OK, let’s be honest, ‘some’ people do. The question then is how can social change be found? A dear brother in the faith has been tasked with the burden to have this…
Dealing with Conflict in the Church – Interpersonally
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”…
How Assimilation in the Church has Subverted the Gospel
I remember the early days of ministry in 1996 when great men of God surrounded me and advised me on matters of church life, scripture, and ministry. At the time, those days seemed long and tedious, they were exciting yet unable to produce a quick enough reward. Out of most that I have been taught…
Some Thoughts on Faith
I have a problem. Every time I think (which is all day long), I feel compelled to bring every thought to a final point and exhaust all arguments. Because of this, I am often very verbose, and lack the discipline to say things in part due to the fear that I may misapply by redaction,…
Why the Virgin Birth is Essential to Salvation
As another Christmas comes to a close, the effects of the flesh and fallenness of humanity are very visible. The very idea that the Christmas holiday centers on the advent of Jesus Christ into this world is a bit offputting for those who read his word often and are amazed by his glory, beauty, and grace….
Is My Pastor a False Teacher?
Never has there been a short supply of error regarding the understanding and teaching of Holy Writ, but error in ignorance and the guile of wolves are distinct. False preachers, pastors, teachers or whatever they may be named, are seemingly more populous as they are popular. Sadly, many people have been snared by the force…
How Intimacy in the Body of Christ has been Destroyed
It saddens me to consider the reality of how many times I have had conversations with church members through the years who swear upon their very lives that they love the church more than anything. But yet, they seem to not love the people of the church, and even worse, they have little desire to…
When is it OK to Miss Church?
This question makes me cringe. Primarily because it says a good deal about the one who asks it and is difficult to answer without getting into the meat of who the Church is and what she is to be doing. The quick answer is, “You should “skip” (miss) gathering with the Saints as little as possible, but…