I see them often (not because I am looking to move!). They are the “ads” for preaching openings, as congregations try to summarize what they are looking for in just a paragraph or two. In a large number of these ads, you’ll find words like, “The [name of church] is looking for a younger man who will reach young families.” You might also find descriptions like “dynamic preaching style” or “accessible sermons.” And if you poll a large number of Christians about the type of preacher they are looking for (or not-so-secretly wish they had), they will spend far more time talking about his style or his presentation or even…

I saw the sign. It said plainly, “Not my president!” Before you think this is a political commentary please understand that this sign could have been used in a march this week against Trump or last week against Obama. This sign is nothing new. You see, depending on the situation there are going to be some people who don’t want to submit to the existing authority. There are going to be people who don’t like who is in charge, especially if that authority figure doesn’t stand for or profess what they want to be doing. But you know what? I am not concerned about the people who are saying, “Not…

Almost every day I read or hear someone talk about how they wish their church would be “less traditional.” I read or hear people say that they would like to be more “non-traditional.” Sometimes the reasons are wholly against Scripture, as some push for mechanical instruments of music (which violates Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, and other passages) or other changes. More often, though, I read or hear these words when people talk about things like dress or the “formality” of worship. Comments are often worded in these types of ways: “I think more people would come to our church if we were not so traditional about how we dress.” Or,…

Many lessons and sermons have been taught and preached concerning the rich young ruler (Mt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17-22; Lk. 18:18-23). No matter how many times we have read these passages, there is always something new we can learn. After this young man had come to Jesus asking him what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus responded about the goodness of God, and that one should keep the commandments (Mt. 19:17). In Matthew’s account, the rich young ruler responds this way – “Which ones?” (Mt. 19:18). “Which ones?” What an interesting question! It sounds so similar to our culture and what many call “supermarket Christianity.” Can we pick and…

It has been my observation that it is very rare for a person to be totally undeserving of treatment that could be described as unfair. What I mean by that is that there may be some degree of justification for somebody being upset with you or me for something we said or did (or did not say or do).  It could be that our timing was wrong. Maybe our intentions and actions were less than noble. Maybe our tone of voice sent a message we did not intend to send. We may have been totally unaware of how our action or inaction would affect another person. The possibilities are almost endless. The bottom line is…