By Seth Hawkins Whether you’re breaking bread with new neighbors, celebrating a joyous occasion or lamenting grief with a trusted friend, what makes a house a home is the people coming in and out of its doors. So it is with vocational ministry; it may begin inside the church building, but ministry often extends to and through the walls of …
By Heath A. Thomas The American university lost its soul, and we need to find it again. University education is a beautiful, noble, formative and helpful endeavor. At its best, university education is transformative: it effects change in people. But the question is…what do they become? We may see graduates who can land a job and make money, but all too often, …
HOW TO LEAD A GREAT BIBLE STUDY BY ANDY DAVIS One of my favorite ways to teach the Bible is in a small group setting in which there is the opportunity for give and take, for dynamic interaction over the sacred texts of Scripture. To prepare for such Bible studies, for years I have written out discussion questions that get …
BY JED COPPENGER Pride doesn’t pray. Pride doesn’t think it needs God’s help. Pride thinks that more will be accomplished today by skipping a time of prayer and starting to do the tasks for the day. What does pride sound like? “I’d love to pray, but I don’t have time to pray. I have so much to do.” That’s pride. It’s …
BY JED COPPENGER Charles Spurgeon was one of the greatest preachers in the history of Christianity. He was known as the “Prince of Preachers.” If you’ve ever read one of his many available sermons from the 1800s, then you can understand why so many are still impressed with his preaching ministry. But it was prayer that Spurgeon believed gave his …
By Jed Coppenger When the biblical idea of “unity and diversity” becomes a reality amongst Christians, most figure out that it is a lot messier than it sounds. There’s enough sin present amongst believers to make unity impossible, apart from a massive influx of heart-transforming grace. One of the temptations in the midst of the friction is either to be, …
HOW TO TREAT SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION IN MINISTRY? By Andrew Davis Spiritual Depression Temporary fits of spiritual depression have engulfed some of the choicest servants of the Lord throughout church history. It is amazing to read the list of those who confessed to feeling dark despair crowd into their souls at critical moments: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Adoniram Judson, …
By Scott CharbonneauManaging Director of Insurance SolutionsGuideStone As a pastor, you most likely preach on biblical stewardship from the pulpit and also practice it within your personal budget. With costs rising on everything from food to gas, every penny counts as you seek to honor the Lord with your finances. It pays to shop smart — especially when it comes to …
Follow Our Lead on Church Plans for Your Retirement Needs By Stephen Osborne, Senior Relationship Manager in Retirement Solutions Ministers and ministries are unique — both in mission and in operations. As a minister, you received an inspirational calling from God and most likely pursued theological training to prepare for your vocation. But did your seminary offer you a class …
By Jed Coppenger The SBC has problems. Lots of them. If you’ve been around the SBC very long, that’s not a surprising statement. What is unique about our current situation is the nature of the topics around which we disagree—race, politics, women in ministry, handling abuse—and the intensity with which we disagree. People don’t just disagree with each other; they demonize their …
