In the parable of the tenants, the temptation faced by the workers is still faced by many churches today. The tenants wanted the vineyard for themselves. They wanted complete control of what did not belong to them. They desired to build their own kingdom, not someone else’s. They had been working the vineyard for years … Continue reading A Warning to Churches from the Parable of the Tenants
1) Sisyphean Striving – The Job Can Feel Pointless (Ironically) Work is difficult when the purpose is obscured. The story is told about two janitors working in the NASA building during the 1960s. One janitor was depressed because he thought he was insignificant compared to the literal rocket scientists in the building. He found so … Continue reading What Is So Difficult About Being a Pastor?
The following is a post by Pastor Rob Golding of First Artesia Christian Reformed Church. He also writes for the Westminster Theological Seminary Magazine. A fish swallowed the recalcitrant prophet Jonah, but what happens when the obstinate Christian similarly buries his feet in the sand? Is the Christian’s fish only for cars, or does God appoint fish … Continue reading We Are Jonah
No preacher worth his weight enters the pulpit without some distress. There is a heaviness to delivering the word of God that is unlike anything else. Even if the preacher is naturally jovial, the man moved by the Spirit of God will tremble under the gravity of what he is doing. I do not hold the office … Continue reading The Distress and Delight of Preaching
It seems the chief end of some local churches is to exist. Maintaining the building, meeting budgets, and preserving attendance by making sure the congregants have a pleasant experience so they will not leave is what drives the decisions of many church leaders. There is nothing wrong with working toward these goals. They are fine as long as those … Continue reading Great Churches are Willing to Go Out of Business
The following is guest post by Michael Clary (originally posted on his FB page). 1. It's really well done. The overall production value is good, and the storytelling is excellent and interesting. 2. One insight was particularly good, which is that some men have talent and charisma that far exceed their personal maturity. Driscoll should … Continue reading 10 Quick Thoughts on the “Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” Podcast
Both men had a fire in their eyes with Jesus at the center, but their flames were different. Have you ever noticed that you can listen to someone talk about Jesus, but as they say all of the right things, there still seems to be a disconnect? While others you run into always seem to … Continue reading Troubled Enough to Have Something Worth Saying
I am often troubled when I attend a funeral, and the leader refuses to let the people mourn. Those in charge of funeral arrangements, and often the families themselves, put so much effort into making the occasion a celebration of life, a graduation to heaven, that those in attendance might feel like their faith is … Continue reading It is a Weakness of Faith to Refuse to Mourn the Death of Loved Ones
I am thankful for the option of online worship in times like these, but we need to be clear, it is not church. During this time, when we are sheltering at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, having the option of watching our local churches conduct some kind of worship program is a good … Continue reading Online Worship is Good, But it is Not Church
What an honor. You have been asked to preach. After the initial excitement wears off, you start to think, "What have I gotten myself into." How do I prepare to preach?
The Fight of Faith 