Purpose: To offer encouragement to Christians who are undergoing suffering Author: Peter Audience: Jewish Christians who were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia Minor (think modern day Turkey) Date written: Around A.D. 62-63 Setting: Peter is probably in Rome and during this time Christians were being persecuted and undergoing suffering. This persecution…
In a previous post we discussed the “why” of making a transition to an elder-led model. In this post we’ll share some insights, as well as some principles and practices that are indespensable in how you are to make such a transition. We have served in several churches over the last twelve years all of which were in…
On December 6, 2009 I was called to be the Senior Pastor at Oak Park Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana. God has been kind to my family and me and our church-family over these last several years to do a good work in and through our church. I’m thankful and humbled by His goodness. One…
Literally every ministry in the history of the Church has had trouble raising up good leadership. Jesus himself founded his church on twelve highly flawed men (Eph 3:20-21). And with all of our weaknesses and shortcomings we have a commission to complete (Matt 28:18-20). So the question is how do we raise up people, specifically…
The longer I serve as a pastor the more I believe that the skill of dealing with criticism is absolutely necessary. Here’s a good word from Mark Altrogge who writes over at The Blazing Center a blog with several contributors that seek connect God’s truth to real life. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to…
Part 2: Pastor as Counselor. In Part 1 of the Pastor as Counselor, we discussed various responses that sometimes are heard from pastors concerning counseling, as well as a couple passages that speak to the role and responsibility biblical leaders have in coming alongside the church to help them walk with Jesus. In this post I’ll…
I imagine you or someone you know has said or thought one of the following statements regarding the issue of counseling in the life of a pastor: When I signed up to be a pastor I didn’t sign up to be a counselor! I just do not have the time to counsel anyone—I’m busy enough…
This post was taken from Brad Hambrick’s website (originally posted on 9.16.2013), which has a ton of biblical resources for all sorts of issues. His post is an extremely important word and serves as a reminder to that we’re called to live as children of light (Eph 5:8) as we follow the Light of the world…
What follows is a brief summary of “Anger in Marriage” by Winston T. Smith in the book On Anger. Anger is never quite what it seems. It feels powerful, but it weakens you. It feels honest, but it is full of lies. It promises change, but it leaves you stuck. It seems simple, but it…
Works righteousness is a deadly and false variation of godly obedience. Godly obedience is motivated by love for God and trust in his gracious plan and power. Works righteousness is motivated by unbelief; it is a reliance on our abilities and a desire to control outcomes. Works righteousness eventuates in penance: I’ll make it up…
Theology Along the Way 