In recent years, many churches have seen a decline in weekly attendance. Some pastors report that the average congregation member attends only half the time. While I’m grateful to lead a church where most prioritize regular attendance, I also recognize that cultural trends and personal struggles often pull people away. But Scripture calls us to… Continue reading Why Weekly Church Attendance Matters
How many times should we forgive someone who wrongs us? In Matthew 18:21, Peter asked Jesus this question. He suggested seven times, likely thinking he was being generous. But Jesus’ response—seventy times—reveals a more profound reality about forgiveness in God’s kingdom. True forgiveness isn’t about keeping count but reflecting the mercy we have received. The… Continue reading Forgiveness: The Mark of God’s Kingdom
Across the landscape of our country church buildings are sitting empty. Churches, which once hosted vibrantly singing worshippers, weddings, and baptisms now have grass growing high all around them, broken stained glass, or have been turned into apartments or businesses. The question is, how did we get here? One reason is surely that some churches… Continue reading 4 Ways Churches Can Work to be Unified
Every relationship involves forgiveness because every relationship involves sinners like ourselves. None of us treat each other perfectly. All of us have said or done things to each other that we wish we had not. This is why forgiveness is one of the keys to maintaining healthy relationships. Forgiveness says, “you have sinned against me,… Continue reading Why Christians Should Know How to Forgive
As we approach a new year, many of us are excited. We have had a great last year, and we are hoping that this year is the same. For those whose last year was not what they had hoped for, there can be new mercies this year. As the author of Lamentations writes “His mercies… Continue reading New Mercies for a New Year
A Study of Judas and Peter The stories of Judas and Peter are way more similar than we might think. Both rejected Christ leading up to the cross. Judas did so through betrayal, and Peter through denial (both stories are found in Matthew 26-27). While both men turned on Jesus, there is a huge difference… Continue reading Two Options to Pay for Your Sin
We often put more stock into things people say at the end of their lives, not the beginning. In some ways it’s because people often have a lot more wisdom at the end of their lives. It’s also because when people have little time left, they only say what is most important. This is true… Continue reading Seven Last Sayings of Jesus
There are a lot of Christians who were raised within legalistic churches who are very bitter concerning their upbringing. As someone who came from a somewhat legalistic background, I can relate. I also want to call you to not be bitter, and I am going to tell you why. First, you may not understand legalism.… Continue reading Legalistically-Raised Christians, Don’t be Bitter
There are many times that God calls Christians to make peace. Although this is not always the case, as I wrote recently in “Christian, Stop Making Peace ” If you are working in an area where God has called you to make peace, here are five ways God gives to help make peace with others.… Continue reading 5 Ways to Make Peace with Others
The idea of microaggression is new to our modern thought and society. In short, it is a statement, action, or incident that is a subtle or even unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. The question is, how should Christians think about this idea of microaggression? COMPASSION The first thing we can do is… Continue reading Christian Thinking on Microaggression
