Tag: church leadership

Steady Christian Hope in Fluctuant Political Waves

We should vote and work at all times that the righteousness of heaven would be reflected in the laws of men. But we must be ever mindful of these fluctuant waves that compose the shifting terrain of our Christian politic. Our hope is not in a political party, a political candidate, or a political system. The governance of men could never comprehensively reflect the righteousness of heaven. And there is our citizenship—beyond the waves, beyond the horizon. Ours is an onward and upward call. A relentless pursuit of the personal and corporate perfection that will be ours to claim “when the Son of Man comes in his glory.” 

5 Daily Pastoral Rhythms for the New Year

Pastor, the good things that are ahead of you and your congregation in 2022 are more about who you are than what you can accomplish. Character before capacity. Integrity before action. Be before do. Whatever your new direction or big plans, focus on these 5 daily pastoral rhythms in the new year.

Pastor, Sharpen Your Axe

Pastor, there are many things in ministry beyond your control that often necessitate the exertion of more strength than normal. But if you are not regularly sharpening your axe, you may be exerting more strength than is necessary. I’m as guilty as you are, often swinging away with painful dutifulness when a quick trip to the shed would promise both a more fluid rhythm and a better cut. Sometimes you need to stop and create space to sharpen your axe. If it is success in your calling you desire, capture the advantage of wisdom by sharpening your axe. Here are 5 axes for the pastor to regularly sharpen.

Gospel Power Transcends Relational Equity

The trendy argument that healthy relationships are necessary for effective evangelism is more ad populum than ad veritatum. It’s what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. I am thankful for those who put so much effort into statistical Christian research with an eye on strengthening churches toward effective evangelistic growth. But as the Bible teaches and history demonstrates, as important as healthy relationships are to the human experience, relational equity is not a prerequisite to effective gospel witness. Gospel power transcends relational equity. 

Will the SBC Survive This? Southern Baptists Have Been Here Before

Southern Baptist cooperation, especially through seasons of crisis, is evidence of that “spiritual harmony” by which the churches endeavor to secure “the great objects of the Kingdom of God.” Perhaps one thing we need, through the refinement of our day, is a resurgence of Great Commission cooperation: hearts and minds attuned anew to God’s world-wide will, arms locked together for the advancement of the gospel, and feet in rhythmic union marching forward to advance upon on the gates of hell.

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