Call them “programs.” Call them “ministries.” Call them “opportunities to serve.” Whatever you call them, every congregation has them. They are necessary to organize the work, so that people can serve in various capacities and use their talents to the glory of God under the oversight of the local eldership. However, there is one problem with the myriad of programs and ministries that most congregations struggle with. Either they struggle in the planning phrase, or they struggle in the communication phase. What is it? People do not know which programs are for the whole congregation and which are for certain groups. I can already hear the pushback. “We said this…

Every human being is a free moral agent. God made us this way. From the Garden of Eden until now, people have had the right to make choices. Some of the choices we make are simply matters of opinion. Other choices we make will determine where we spend eternity. One choice made this week that does not affect eternity was made by several NFL players. They knelt during the national anthem. This was their choice. Unfortunately, the whole issue over what to do at the playing of the anthem has gotten totally out of control. Some people want to make it about race, others politics, and still others, nationalism. As…

The August 2017 issue of Old Paths contained an article by brother Danny Tunnell. Although I have never met brother Tunnell, I am indebted to him for some interesting and challenging insights. I wanted to give him the credit he deserves because what I am writing here has been heavily influenced by his article. It is tempting to merely reproduce what he wrote, but I would like to “put my own spin” on the information he provided. Brother Tunnell dealt in some detail the Greek word dunamis. That Greek word is often translated as “power” in the New Testament. Even if you did not read his article and/or if you’ve never seen the word…

The older I get, the more time I have found myself spending in Ephesians 4. Not only have the first several verses of that chapter become a favorite part of the Bible for me, but I continue to see how their practical application would solve so many issues congregations face. In verse 11 of that chapter, Paul writes that there are different leadership roles in the congregation. Following up on that, he writes the purpose of these roles: “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” If you continue reading (verses 13-16), you will see the result, and it is nothing short…

Perhaps one of the most well-known events in the life of Christ is recorded by John the apostle in the eighth chapter of his gospel account. Though this passage is questioned by some textual critics regarding its inclusion, we read of a woman who was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus. The mob was ready to stone her, but the question about what should be done was posed to our Savior as a test. You can just see in your mind the image of this woman pushed down into the dust at the feet of the Lord. Perhaps that is why he stooped down and wrote something on the…