You have no choice about being dysfunctional. We’re all broken in different ways. Even on our best days, imperfections show through like a stain under the white paint. Our collective fallenness is why the local church is so fabulous. It’s the place where you can… Continue Reading …
One-to-one interaction is the most efficient way to help another person change. For too many believers, discipleship in a community, in the context of a local church, is not the norm. Favorite books and preachers become our disciplers, which is not God’s best no matter… Continue Reading …
Spiritual dullness in a community of Christlike disciple-makers is hard to imagine, but it happens all the time. We can lull ourselves to sleep, lose our gospel edge, and before long, we are ticking the Christian boxes without thinking. If the practice continues, we will… Continue Reading …
One of the most important questions you’ll ask when looking for a new church is whether the pastor is leading the local church. What best describes your pastor? How does he affect others? Can he care for your soul? Finding a pastor is a tedious… Continue Reading …
I wrote this piece in 2012 originally. I’m republishing it with a few edits since the sad saga continues to unfold. I was part of Sovereign Grace Ministries from 2003 to 2008, and for four of those years, I served as a pastor. It was… Continue Reading …
What do you do when a Christian does not want to restore his relationship with God and others? Fortunately, the Bible does not leave us in the dark about this vital subject. Some people call it church discipline. Others call it church restoration. Both of… Continue Reading …
Sometimes when some people hear the words “biblical counseling,” they think about a two-tier system within Christianity: those who can counsel and those who cannot. Suppose biblical counseling means that to you. Perhaps it would be wise to change your thinking. God has given every… Continue Reading …
When a person sees ministry strictly as something they do at a church building that is separate from the rest of their lives, it is a setup for all sorts of problems—personally and relationally. We must not dichotomize ministry because all of life is our… Continue Reading …
A friend asked what I would say to a counselee I have yet to meet. I said that I have no idea what I would say until I meet them. I’m not sure what he wants or what he is going to ask me. I don’t… Continue Reading …
Sometimes in life, you have to get in a conflict with someone. This dreaded reality is not a wish, desire, or prayer request but rather a common-sense perspective that comes with living in a sin-cursed world. It is impossible to have two humans living close… Continue Reading …