Category: Church Life
A Church Without Love?
Seven messages from the Lord Jesus to seven local congregations in 1st-century Asia form the bulk of the opening chapters of the book of Revelation. They are a mix of warning, encouragement, rebuke and commendation, with each church receiving its own personalized blend from the sovereign...
Seven Ways Teens Can Contribute When the Church Meets
“How can I participate right away in the church?” That was a wonderful question to hear from a teenager who recently became a believer and joined our church. I don’t remember my exact answer, but I have since thought about that question primarily as it relates...
The Church Commute: Why Where You Live Matters
A nose hopped into his car and pulled out of his driveway this last Sunday at 9 am. At the same time about 20 miles away, a mouth was talking to his family in a minivan as it got onto the highway. Approximately 13 miles away...
A Tale of Choosing Between Two Churches
Stu and his family moved to a new city one summer. His company transferred him unexpectedly, so he either had to relocate or find another job. He chose to go, but had little time to research good churches before they arrived. Thankfully, he knew a couple...
What Do You Do With Immorality?
When the apostle Paul heard that there was immorality in the Corinthian church, he was shocked. The brand of immorality was of such a kind that the sensibilities of the pagan world would even be offended—”a man has his father’s wife”. But his amazement was mostly...
Wearing Your Own Jersey and Being Unlike Mike in the Body of Christ
“Compared to the talented people in my church, I’m worthless. Maybe I should just stay home. They don’t really need me.” Have you ever thought like that? In a church culture that highlights certain gifts (like speaking) above all others, such feelings are common. Paul uses...
What Should We Do At Sunday’s Meeting?
I love a good sermon, don’t you? But if the sermon is biblical and helpful at the church’s main weekly meeting (typically Sunday), does that make the gathering a success? Not necessarily. It’s possible that we have emphasized the sermon so much at the church’s main...
When Your Church is Not the Biggest in Town
These are days of “largeness” and, admittedly, I have bought into the hype. Let me explain: Normally when my wife and I go out on a date, we eat at a restaurant, but there are certain eateries that I refuse to frequent. Why? Because their servings...
Waiting for a Ministry
It was John Wesley who said, “Don’t seek for a ministry, but seek for the fruit of a disciplined life.” In other words, pining away for a ministry is a waste of precious time. Rather, go deeper and God will use you in ways you haven’t...
The Forgotten Chapter of Romans
When you think about Romans, what chapter comes to mind? Romans 1? Romans 3? Romans 5? Romans 8? You probably don’t immediately think about Romans 16. “All of those names and greetings—who cares?” There is actually much benefit from carefully considering “all those names and greetings.”...
