Blog Articles and Resources for Pastors and Church Leaders
Blog Articles and Resources for Pastors and Church Leaders
The Book of Revelation: Clues to Understanding the Bible’s Most Complicated Book
by Douglas Connelly, adapted from The Book of Revelation Made Clear: A User-Friendly Look at the Bible’s Most Complicated Book . Sometimes you can find important clues about a book in the parts most people skip. Some people are so anxious to get to...
When Heaven Thundered … And What It Meant
By Bruce Corley, adapted from his contribution to the new Devotions on the Greek New Testament, Volume Two: 52 Reflections to Inspire & Instruct (Paul N. Jackson, Editor). “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from...
Avoiding Extremes to Influence Culture
If those of us living in the year 2000 or earlier could have time-traveled ahead to our present day, what do you think our reaction would have been when we saw the headlines of today? Considering the massive shifts in cultural norms ranging from...
Church & Mission: Two Words You Thought You Knew
“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” – Inigo Montoya, The Princess Bride So it goes with the church and its mission. Evangelicals especially use the word “church” with great frequency, yet exhibit very little...
Theological Vision and the 3-Part Balancing Act
The theological vision is at the center of ministry. A theological vision creates a bridge between doctrine and expression. It is central to how all ministry happens. Two churches can have different doctrinal frameworks and ministry expressions but...
What Makes You, You? A Biblical Reflection on Defining Moments and Signature Moves
A defining moment is a point at which the essential character of a person is established. It is an identity-forming event, something that makes someone who they are and flows through to their behavior. It can be an achievement or a failure,...
An Overlooked Key to Understanding the Bible: The Way Words Mean
by Richard J. Gibson and Constantine R. Campbell, adapted from their new book Reading Biblical Greek , available now, and part of the forthcoming Reading Biblical Greek Pack . Meaning Is More Than the Meaning of Words Reading biblical Greek...
This Is the “Right Power Outlet” for Effective Ministry
by Peyton Jones, adapted from his new book Reaching the Unreached: Becoming Raiders of the Lost Art . The success of the apostles began with their willingness to “wait.” Wait for what? God himself. He sent us out on a mission, but he never expected...
Need to Resolve a Church Disagreement Between Elders? This Grievance Policy Will Help
A grievance policy gives elders of any church a clear procedure for raising concerns with the members and/or actions of the leadership council, the executive elder team, and/or the full council of elders. Such a policy seems unnecessary until there...
An Atheist Finds an Informed Faith
by Mark Clark, adapted from his new book The Problem of God: Answering a Skeptic’s Challenges to Christianity . I was raised in a staunch atheist household. We never went to church. We never owned a Bible. We never talked about God. My father was...
The Bible and Divine Inspiration: Fielding Some Common Questions
Do people ask you questions like, “Why do we have 66 books in the Bible? What makes those books special? Why are they included and not others?” This article on the biblical canon will help you answer those questions. It’s by William W. Klein, Craig...
Working for Someone Else? Here’s One of the Most Dangerous Temptations You Face
by Clay Scroggins, adapted from his new book How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority . Andy Stanley calls it “one of the most, if not the most, pivotal leadership books you’ll ever read.” One of the most...
Who Are You? Learn to Locate the Authentic Source of Your Identity
by Christopher L. Heuertz, adapted from his new book The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path To Spiritual Growth Have you ever asked this fundamental human question, Who am I? And when you’ve asked, what have you heard? For many us, our...
Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary - The Best Way to Learn Hebrew
by J. David Pleins with Jonathan Homrighausen, adapted from their new book Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary by Conceptual Categories: A Student’s Guide to Nouns in the Old Testament. A command of Hebrew vocabulary is the essential key to an enjoyable...
5 Things about the Prophets You Might Have Missed
by J. Daniel Hays (General Editor: Tremper Longman III), adapted from resources in the new Message of the Prophets Pack . The prophets provide the primary link between the Old Testament and the New Testament . Much of the theology of the New...
How to Recognize Idolatry and Repentance
Our idols take various forms — power and success; approval; comfort and pleasure; control; security. Since true change only occurs when we repent of and turn from the deep-seated idols in our lives, a key aspect of gospel coaching is learning to...
Free Resources
Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?
Here are some tools to help:
The Small Group Tool Kit includes two mobile-friendly invitation cards, reflection cards to enhance your small group experience, and a worship song playlist curated by Hosanna Wong that can beplayed during small group meetings or personal Bible study time.
The Church Tool Kit includes a downloadable poster, bulletininsert, invitation card, and Power Point slide.
Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.
Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, gives a
searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free. He also has put together three free tools pastors can use to help their congregation have a productive conversation around mental health, including a discussion guide, sermon notes and key Scripture verses.