Adapted from my sermon the day Brad, age 29, was baptized. ————————– (…continued) There was one more necessary step. Church was not yet a part of Brad’s life. A few months ago, Brad and Sheila met Mike and Patti from our congregation, and they became good friends. Brad said he was […]
3856) Baptizing Brad (2/2) Read More »
The goal of The Timothy Initiative is to plant a Christian church in every village in the world. I like their vision, their plan, their staff, their resources, and their results. In his Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus sends his followers out into all the world to proclaim the gospel and “make disciples of
3318) A Church in Every Village on Earth Read More »
On the one hand, low interest rates are good—for first home buyers looking at the interest on a thirty-year loan; on the other hand, low interest rates are bad—for retirees depending on the interest earned on their savings. On the one hand, a higher minimum wage is good– for those who receive it;
3259) On the Other Hand… Read More »
A Methodist minister tells this story… A family of inactive members in his parish lived right next door to the church. The yard was a disgrace. Wrecked cars and discarded appliances littered the place. The grass was seldom mowed. The husband was a disgrace. He drank too much and rumors were that he
3247) Not All Churches are the Same Read More »
Above: Going to Church, 1960 (I’m the one wearing the black hat) ————————————- Clayton was a teenager in my congregation several years ago. He was a good boy and always did what his parents told him to do. His parents told him to go along to church with them every Sunday morning, and
3192) Making Memories Read More »
“What Will War Bring to Iran? Praying for a Country in Crisis” by March 5, 2026, by David Mathis, at: http://www.desiringgod.org ——————————————————- As the world watches Iran, Christians look on with another set of eyes. Wherever we reside, we watch and pray with a spiritual vision that transcends natural concerns and our own
3176) A Prayer for Iran Read More »
Above: Remote Russian village ————- In his book, The Insanity of Obedience, Nik Ripken (2014, pp. 279-287) tells about meeting Dmitri in the former USSR. Born of Christian parents, Dmitri found himself and his family living under communism in an area where the nearest church was a three-day walk away. He
3164) “What Church?” Read More »
The congregation I am a member of has called a new pastor. Today he will preach in our church for the first time. Our current pastor is retiring after faithfully leading these people for 35 years. The Call Committee has been planning, searching, and interviewing candidates for over a year and a half.
3121) Seeking the Perfect Pastor Read More »
A while back an old friend told me he didn’t go to church anymore. He said, “It’s the same old thing: ‘things are bad now,’ the preacher always says, ‘but someday Jesus will return and then everything will be better.’ I’ve heard it all before.” My friend knows I am a
3078) Advent… Again Read More »
Above: The cover of an early edition of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism ————— In his 39 years as a pastor and reformer, Martin Luther (1483-1546) published an incredible number of books, treatises, sermons, and other writings. Page after page poured forth, as Luther powerfully proclaimed the Gospel. There are 120 volumes in the German
3072) Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Read More »
