SEND Institute: A New Learning Community for Church Planting
The Billy Graham Center partners with the North American Mission Board. Read More
The Internet Is Not a Library
n the recent conversation about who’s in charge of the Christian blogosphere, I saw in at least one place that the blogosphere was likened to a great big library—a place where diverse viewpoints are housed, a place where people come to seek truth, a place where ideas are not censored and readers need discernment. Without wanting to deny these general points as they relate to Christians in the blogosphere, I believe it is a necessary part of discernment that we realize the internet (of which the Christian blogosphere is a part) is nothing like a library. Read More
Why Does God Command Us to Rejoice Always?
To command Christians to rejoice under difficult circumstances is hard to understand without a context. We can understand why people who are facing opposition would need to pray—they must seek the grace of God to sustain them during their trials. We can understand why they should give continual thanks for the mercies of God that they continue to receive. But why must God’s people rejoice during times of trial and persecution? Read More
What Happens to Babies When They Die [Video]
"Do babies go to heaven when they die? Or do they go to hell? What happens to aborted babies or miscarried babies?" Dr. Thomas Schreiner answers in Honest Answers. Watch Now
10 Strengths (and 10 Dangers) of Systematic Theology
Systematic theology is the discipline of looking to the entire Bible to determine what God says about a given topic. It answers the question “What does the whole Bible say about __________ [fill in the blank]?” It is a logical, systematic way of organizing truth. To be skillful, accurate theologians, we need systematic theology, but we must also be aware that its strengths are closely related to its weaknesses. Fire is valuable for producing heat and energy, yet fire’s heat and energy is exactly what makes it dangerous. The problem is not fire, but allowing fire to get out of control. This is also the case with systematic theology. Read More
11 Signs You’re More Than Just Tired…You’re Burning Out
How do you know if you’re more than just tired? How do you know if you’re burning out? Read More
Andrew Mellen On The Surprising Connection Between Clutter, Order And Great Leadership [Podcast]
Andrew Mellen is a professional organizer who says clutter is deferred decisions. He talks about why being organized matters, and shows you some short cuts on how to cut down on the clutter in your life and in your mind. Strangely, all of this can actually make you a better leader. Listen Now
10 Reasons Pastors Don't Lead
Too often, I hear from churches whose leader seems to have stopped leading. They want their leader to cast vision, raise up other leaders, and press forward – but it’s just not happening. My years of church consulting have shown at least these reasons for this lack of leadership.... Read More
How a Pastor Loves His Flock
The measure of a pastor’s love for God is directly linked to his deliberate care for Christ’s sheep. That’s what the Lord told Peter after Peter affirmed his love for Christ. The Lord said: “shepherd my sheep” (John 21.16). So, how can a pastor love Christ? By loving Christ’s church. How, then, can a pastor love his flock well? In this essay, I’ll provide 8 helpful ways. Read More
Pastoral Bullies
Erik Raymond identifies six problematic patterns associated with the subtle progression toward priestly privilege and abuse in a church. Read More
Pastors, Learn From Non-Pastors
Most pastors have a right desire to train up future pastors. We realize that one day our ministry will end, and that we ought to be preparing the next generation to take the gospel to places we cannot go. This focus, however, can lead us to overemphasize training future pastors at the expense of training—and learning from—“ordinary” congregants. Here are five reasons we must devote some of our best time, energy, and resources to training up and learning from electricians, lawyers, teachers, and bankers. Read More
The Five Major Formats of Podcasts
While it can be as simple as “record and distribute,” creating a podcast and podcasting will take a great amount of work and forethought. Generating the idea is critical. But the most important aspect of podcasting is landing on the right format for your show. Read More
The Cross-Resurrection Contradiction
At the heart of Christian faith is a commitment to a God who enters into suffering. Read More
Sharing a Dinner Table With Muslims: A Redemptive Invitation
As Christians, when we engage in these sorts of relationships and conversations, we bring Jesus with us to a literal table. Read More
Is Homosexuality Really the Worst Sin? [Podcast]
Today’s question is an important one, and it comes from a listener named Daniel. “Hello Pastor John! Very often Christians point out the sin of homosexuality as a major problem in this country, while seemingly forgetting about the massive amounts of sinners addicted to other sinful patterns in life. Is homosexuality truly more detrimental to a society than other sins? How would you weigh the cultural impact of this sin against, say, the sins of pride and overeating and greed?” Listen Now
What Last Century’s Fundamentalists Can Teach Us About This Century’s Apostasy
Few changes in church history have occurred as rapidly as the acceptance of homosexual behavior within evangelicalism. Read More
Many Practicing Christians Agree with Marxism (and Other Competing Worldviews)
Barna also examines the influence of postmodernism, secularism, and ‘new spirituality’ in the pews. Read More
Pew: Here’s How Badly Soviet Atheism Failed in Europe
In 18 nations across Central and Eastern Europe, religion is now essential to national identity. Read More
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