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Pastor for life
They say pastors resign on Monday morning. If you are a pastor and you preached one or two sermons over the weekend and ministered in a million ways to all who needed you, you probably know that after-the-glory blues feeling. Often the highs of the Sabbath are followed by the lows the next day. In your tired brain, you go through reruns of the myriad of incidents that crowded your demanding day. The elevated emotions of vigorous preaching took so much out of you that you know you will need a few days to recover from exhaustion...
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Zacchaeus: A man with many connections
Pastors may find some individuals with multiple problems or hindrances like Zacchaeus. But, don’t lose hope! God will guide in your attempts to reach them. Many have explored the Zacchaeus story (Luke 19:1–10) from the perspective of its relation to other passages in Luke. Some have related it to the stories about the rich ruler (18:18–24), the healing of the blind man (18:35–43), the daughter of Abraham (13:16), and the paralytic (5:18–26). Others relate it not only with...
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The internal dynamic of credible preaching
By: David E. Thomas
Preaching can be considered an audacious thing for humans to do—daring to stand in the pulpit to speak for God because God is not there in person to speak for Himself.1 Nevertheless, preachers are driven by the belief that preaching is a divinely mandated mechanism by which they can affect lives. As did the apostle Paul, preachers live under the urgency of the words: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one...
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Should we observe the Levitical festivals?: A Seventh-day Adventist perspective - Part 1
Maybe by the marking of festivals, Christians could be drawn closer to the Jews? However, in the observance of festivals, serious theological, cultural, ethical, and practical problems invite caution and reservation. Arguments in support of and against the observance of the feasts have been debated in church circles recently, including Adventist churches. Therefore, this issue must be addressed.
Featured articles
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Covered with blood: A better understanding of Exodus 12:7
By: L.S. Baker Jr
Egyptian archaeology provides a clear understanding of the events surrounding the Israelite slaves’ final night in Egypt-one that delivers a powerful lesson about salvation by faith alone. Have you ever wondered why God asked the children of Israel to paint blood on the lintel and two doorposts of the door to their houses prior to the tenth plague (Exod. 12:7)? Sure, you answer, it was to serve as a sign for the angel of death to pass over their houses (Exod. 12:13). That’s true. But why the doorposts? Since no one is kept out of a dwelling by doorposts, why not paint something like a big cross on the door itself? Egyptian archaeology provides an answer; one that can teach us a powerful lesson about salvation by faith alone.
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Hospital visitation 101
By: Kathy McMillan
A registered nurse shares practical advice with those who will spend time visiting ill church members in hospitals.
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Eight strategies to survive problematic parishoners
By: Judi Bailey
Every pastor has them. What can you do about them?
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Reaching the secular world
By: Ernan Norman
The church, which no longer has the kind of cultural support it once enjoyed, must now take its gospel message to this radically new world. How is this best accomplished?
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Recognizing abuse for what it is: A personal story
By: Natalie Joy
Domestic violence is a crime that occurs far more often than most people realize. As hard as it may be to believe, it's probably happening in your church.
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Early onset Alzheimer’s: Living with the unthinkable
By: David, Wolter
Discover the hope beyond Alzheimer's disease that only comes with a deep relationship with God.
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The healing power of empathy
By: Daniel Harrison
As a pastor, you are often called to be a peace bearer in the midst of conflict. Learn how you can use empathy to resolve differences and bring true peace.
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Where is the rule book?
When Kathy and I married, I had already been pastoring my first multichurch district for two years. Marriage brings with it many adjustments-indeed, those of you who are married understand what I am saying. But for my wife, it was particularly challenging: a young bride living apart from her family for the first time, not having any pastoral spouses in her immediate family to serve as role models, becoming a part of church families that knew me but didn't know her.
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Evangelism--The heartbeat of the church: An interview with Mark Finley
By: Willie E. Hucks II Nikolaus Satelmajer
"Preaching each evening in an evangelistic meeting is spiritually exhilarating," states the speaker for the upcoming Discoveries '08 series. Such passion all preachers should possess.
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Young men see visions; Old men draw maps
By: James A. Cress
The Old Testament provides just such a map. We view the book of Joshua as a dynamic story of mighty deliverance, powerful acts, and conquering glory. Of course, Joshua is all this and more. But remember, this narrative is first a historical record of what had already occurred.
