If you’ve spent any amount of time online this week you’ve heard the news about World Vision choosing to now hire gay individuals who are in same-sex marriages, and then reversing their decision two days later. From bloggers from all perspectives, a vast amount of online ink has been spilled voicing opinions (if you’re trying…
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9 Areas of Focus for Effective Christian Ministry
I’ve been reading Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor over the past month. It’s an incredibly long book, and an incredibly slow read due to his stiff language use. But within that has been many encouraging and challenging pieces. Baxter has a helpful perspective on where to focus your attention when it comes to Christian ministry. He…
Building Walls Based on Beliefs
I fully embrace the evangelical form of Christian faith, but that doesn’t mean I always agree with the teachings of leaders within the large community. Recently the debate on how accommodating businesses should be toward those who live in ways that do not reflect their beliefs has reached its height. The state of Arizona is…
Ministry for the One, Not the Masses
I grew up when the local church could fit 90% of people within specific life situation and age-focused programs. Here’s the basic flow: graduate from the kid’s program into a middle school ministry, from there you move into the high school ministry, the high school ministry naturally leads into a college ministry, and because nearly…
Pointing Fingers As People Walk Out the Back Door
Pastors are weary of what they call “the back door”—the people who leave without saying anything, giving the pastor no idea of why. The back door is one reason church life is difficult. People who you have given your life for sometimes leave at the drop of a hat. I’ve seen something interesting happen online…
A Short Guide to Cultural Engagement in the Pacific Northwest
A little over a decade ago every pastor in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho embraced the new moniker of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) being the least churched region in the USA. It was a battle cry, a call to arms of cultural engagement for Christians living in the area. Now when you walk into churches, especially…