What sometimes passes for Christian fellowship is about as nourishing as the doughnut you ate in Sunday School last week. Though enjoyable, it brings little spiritual benefit. To fellowship is to share. That’s the basic meaning of koinonia—sharing. But it’s a sharing … Continue reading Beyond the coffee and doughnuts
“I have never yet known the Spirit of God to work where the Lord’s people were divided.” Like D.L. Moody, neither have I. Instead, most of us probably have seen too often how disunity hinders the Spirit’s work in the church and damages the … Continue reading 5 ways to destroy church unity
In Psalm 119:24, the psalmist called God’s decrees “my counselors.” Let God’s Word counsel you by asking yourself these questions in your moments of decision. 1. Can this be done to the glory of God? (1 Cor. 10:31) “Therefore, whether you eat or … Continue reading 10 questions for discerning God’s will
If the kinds of people with whom Jesus associated came to your church, would they be welcomed? Consider carefully before you answer (1) the kinds of people with whom Jesus associated and (2) the meaning of welcomed. The People Who … Continue reading the [un]welcoming church
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” — Winston Churchill It’s an unpleasant but inevitable fact of life that if you attempt to do anything of significance, you will be criticized. J. Oswald Sanders … Continue reading 5 keys to handling negative criticism
“Thought should be given to a more extensive use of the Word of God among us.” With that declaration, Philip Jacob Spener launched into a list of proposals he believed would reform the church. The book, Pia Desideria (“Pious Desires”), was published … Continue reading Small groups do big things
The great heresy of the church today is that we think we’re in the entertainment business. A.W. Tozer believed this to be true back in the 1950s and 60s. Church members “want to be entertained while they are edified.” He … Continue reading The heresy of worshiptainment
