Topic > Christian Ministry & the Church
Fault Lines
An influx of refugees to our community has led to new growth in area churches. That growth brings challenges. Church members must learn how to welcome these newcomers as they adjust to a strange culture, new language, and different worship styles. All this change can create some awkward situations.
Misunderstandings and disagreements occur everywhere we find people. Church is no exception. If we don’t handle our differences in a healthy way, they can harden into divisions.
The early church in Jerusalem was growing when a dispute arose that broke along a cultural fault line. The Greek-speaking Jews (the Hellenists) had a complaint…
The Call of God
Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel… —1 Corinthians 1:17
Paul states here that the call of God is to preach the gospel. But remember what Paul means by “the gospel,” namely, the reality of redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are inclined to make sanctification the goal of our preaching. Paul refers to personal experiences only by way…
Leave Room for God
When it pleased God… —Galatians 1:15
As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him— to give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came…
The Call of the Natural Life
The call of God is not a call to serve Him in any particular way. My contact with the nature of God will shape my understanding of His call and will help me realize what I truly desire to do for Him. The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature. The call of the natural life was stated by the apostle Paul— “When it pleased God . . . to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him [that is, purely and solemnly express Him] among the Gentiles . . . .”
Pursuing Unity
Growing up during the 1950s, I never questioned racism and the segregation practices that permeated daily life in the city where we lived. In schools, restaurants, public transportation, and neighborhoods, people with different shades of skin color were separated.
My attitude changed in 1968 when I entered US Army Basic Training. Our company included young men from many different cultural groups. We soon learned that we needed to understand and accept each other, work together, and accomplish our mission.
When Paul wrote to the first-century church at Colossae, he was well aware of the diversity of its members. He reminded them, “Here…
Jesus Seeking The Lost And You Too!
When a kid gets lost at a carnival, the best thing they can do is stay put. A good parent will do all they can to search for and find that lost child! So today on Discover the Word, we’ll talk about how Jesus’s mission was to “seek and save the lost,” and lost people […]
The Star of Bethlehem Was Not the Point
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” The Star of Bethlehem had a point, an important point.
Needing a well-devised strategy to engage your culture
History certainly tells us that going into any war without a well-devised strategy brings sure defeat! So in our daily spiritual battle, we need to plan carefully and seriously to secure victory! Today on Discover the Word, we wrap up the series with Darrell Bock titled, “Engagement” by defining both what our mission is, and […]
Our “Engagement” of others stems from God’s “Engagement” with us
Today on Discover the Word, we welcome Darrell Bock back to the table to discuss how as Christians we’re called to engage the world around us. And as we near the end of this two-week conversation, Darrell will bring us back to the basics. Explore the basic message of the gospel, and how our “Engagement” […]
Our tone is a key part to effectively engaging others
Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Of course, you have. We’ve all felt the pain of speaking with the wrong tone or motive. And today on Discover the Word, Darrell Bock warns us that when we trip over our reckless words, we’re actually falling into the trap of the devil. Discover how […]
How we say things matters!
In today’s conversation on Discover the Word, they’re not trying to raise your sodium levels, but they will call believers to “season their words with salt.” Because how we say things matters! Today on Discover the Word, we continue the series with Darrell Bock titled, “Engagement.” Explore the surprising emphasis of the New Testament on “tone-ology” […]
Matching your tone with your message
Would you agree that how you say something is as important as what you say? Well, today on Discover the Word, Dr. Darrell Bock joins us at the table to talk about how we can match our tone to our message. We’re learning to share God’s truth with God’s heart. And tone matters—a lot! Another […]
Love of Another Kind
One of my favorite churches started several years ago as a ministry to ex-prisoners who were transitioning back into society. Now the church flourishes with people from all walks of life. I love that church because it reminds me of what I picture heaven will be like—filled with different kinds of people, all redeemed sinners, all bound together by the love of Jesus.
Sometimes, though, I wonder if church seems more like an exclusive club than a safe-haven for forgiven sinners. As people naturally gravitate into groups of “a certain kind” and cluster around those they feel comfortable with, it leaves…
How do we share that the gospel really is “good news”?
The Bible tells us that Jesus came to bring abundant life! So how do we live that life with today’s post-Christian culture? And how do we best convince that culture that the gospel really is “good news”? Today on Discover the Word, we’ll wrap up the first week of their series “Engagement” with Darrell Bock. […]
My Friend Left the Church Because of Me
“I need a break from church and from y’all to think about what happened,” a good friend wrote in a text message to me one day. And with that one message, Jasmine* never returned to my church again.
