Resources by Topic: Church

We often think of the Apostle Paul as the Lone Ranger, gallivanting solo about the empire, leading everyone to Christ, never afraid, never struggling, often alone, but never lonely. Scripture corrects this impression as Paul recounts for the Corinthians one of his recent stresses.

I’m sorry to hear about the hurts you have experienced (and it sounds like, are experiencing). Every church is made up of people just like us—messy and imperfect, forgiven but still sinners this side of Heaven.

We received this thought-provoking letter from a reader named Richard Higby. As you read, consider what it might look like for your family and church to implement his idea of a day celebrating and looking forward to Christ's return and the coming New Earth.

We should recognize the differences and celebrate that God’s image-bearers come in all shapes and sizes and colors, and we are the beneficiaries of His providence in creating us this way.

In this audio clip, Randy Alcorn talks about how his church community has been a major part of the healing process since his wife Nanci died.  

We have all been hurt by churches, and we have all hurt others, whether or not we know it. At a time when it is common to disparage churches, it’s good to celebrate the oneness many of us have so often felt in the presence of other believers.

As Dan Darling points out, there’s much criticism online that is actually rooted in bitterness rather than seeking to build up the church. (People who are critical often fall into referring to church members as “they.” But where is the “we”?)

Author Jesse Johnson, who leads The Master’s Seminary Washington DC location, lays out a compelling case for why he believes the LGBQT movement is another religion, and explains how the church can respond with grace and truth.

In his 1982 book I Believe in Preaching, John Stott wrote these prophetic words: “It is difficult to imagine the world in the year 2000, by which time versatile microprocessors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today. [This will lead to] the probable reduction of human contact, as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary.”

I love this article on womanhood from Paul David Tripp, answering a very important question: “Is your view of women aligned with your theology?” We shouldn’t ever violate what Scripture commands in an attempt to be relevant, but we should exercise the freedom to do whatever Scripture allows, to grant women the widest and deepest and most meaningful roles in Christ’s body.  

Randy joined Pure Desire Ministries on their podcast to discuss the problem of Christian leaders and pastors having moral failings. Randy helps listeners to understand what contributes to the fall of high-profile leaders, how churches can recover and heal, and how to prevent failures from happening.  

I confess I grow weary of some believers’ responses to good news, especially related to evangelism. Instead of believing the best, as Christians sometimes we seem to chronically believe the worst. I remember the negative responses I received years ago when I shared a follow-up report on my Facebook about “Harvest America,” Greg Laurie’s crusade in Texas.

Most readers have likely heard about individuals having a crisis of faith. We’ve learned terms such as “exvangelical” and “deconstruction.” We are sometimes familiar with entire churches, even denominations, who have lost their faith. But while it is not the first to do so, a poll released last week should serve as a dramatic wake up call to evangelical churches and their pastors.

I love this article by Joshua Ryan Butler, lead pastor of Redemption Tempe, a thriving church near Arizona State University. What he wrote has the ring of truth—in all four causes for what is popularly called deconstruction, and which used to be called “loss of faith.”