Articles in this category focus on rejoicing in the community of other believers, how to build and nurture community, and how to better reflect Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Just as the Christian life is union and fellowship, even so the church is union and fellowship. Its nature is union. Its nature is fellowship. Union and fellowship with Christ, and union and fellowship with each other â in Christ. That is all the church is: union and fellowship with each other, in Him. And every other aspect of church [...]
Malcolm Webber
There are simple, practical things we can do to make feedback more helpful and enjoyable for us, and for other people.
Adrian Pei
As J. R. R. Tolkien once wrote to his son, âNo man, however truly he loved his betrothed and bride as a young man has lived faithful to her as a wife in mind and body without deliberate conscious exercise of the will, without self-denial.â So folks, letâs drop the whole âsoul mateâ talk, shall we? Marriage can be wonderfully satisfying, [...]
Eric Metaxas
What organization doesnât want to grow? But letâs imagine one better: What if you could increase your organizationâs performance and ministry impact in a way that matched and actually solidified your Christ-centered integrity? I want to let you in on a little secret of how one very humble ministry has done just this by increasing the [...]
Al Lopus
When you hear the term âmajority culture,â what is the first thing that comes to mind? What thoughts or feelings arise within you? What images or memories of the past resurface?
Adrian Pei
Today I look at our world and how much the culture has changed to reflect a pervasive attitude of self-focus. Yet, Godâs Word has never changed and still instructs us as parents and grandparents to train up our children in Him.
Kathleen Hershberger
Wise leaders and pastors understand that lasting change requires individuals to change first before an organization will change. Your change wonât last or will disrupt your church unless those in your teams personally embrace the change first, at least at some level. So it behooves us to first understand why most people initially resist [...]
Charles Stone
Prov. 31:11 says, âThe heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.â
Jess MacCallum
Speaking negatively about your wife to others shouts that you are a poor leader in your marriage. The Proverbs 31 Husband recognizes his wifeâs accomplishments and broadcasts his admiration to the world. No one wonders what he thinks â he freely shares his opinion.
Jess MacCallum
I admit it. I have a tendency to be a loner. I like my personal space and my private time. I recognize, though, that my tendencies arenât always the best for a pastor. Here are my reflections on others like me.
Chuck Lawless
Perhaps now â before more checklists clutter the counter and the year-end madness begins â would be a good time to do a little marital spring-cleaning. Because it is easy to forget if marriage is not on the checklist.
Lisa Bohn
Marriage often changes the nature of relationships between friends. It is important for men to be proactive in making their marriage the top priority by respectfully scheduling time with their buddies that does not interfere with quality time with their spouses.
Jess MacCallum
In some ways, dating has misled us men on this point. Courtship conversations were romantic, spontaneous, exciting, and everything you said was interesting to her. You just knew she was the right girl because she made you feel so âlistened to.â Marriage inevitably changes the relationship dynamic, and it is wise to adapt to a different [...]
Jess MacCallum
As we work with childrenâwhether in a Christian setting or a secular settingâour job is to bring them to Him so that He can touch their lives. We must lean on Him to know how to do just that. As we engage with each child, we need to be open to Godâs nudging as the opportunities pop up.
Kathleen Hershberger
The question persists strongly for those of us raised in evangelical America, where we are taught to seek Godâs will for our lives in every area, especially the big decisions. So when I was head over heels in love with Anne (being a good Evangelical) I wrestled with whether or not she was âthe Oneâ God had chosen for me.
Jess MacCallum
I had seven years to confirm that she was valuable as she mostly ignored me. Well ignored may be too strong: the thesaurus says disregarded, overlooked, or bypassed would be equally descriptive. Just pick one. The point is I finally caught her, and the compliment of my life was that she traded all her other options (and they were [...]
Jess MacCallum
I had an eight-year head start since I was counting the quality of our marriage from the first day we met, which she didnât even remember. Apparently, buried somewhere in my psyche, was the expectation that she hadnât caught up yet. No wonder the poor woman couldnât get a break.
Jess MacCallum
I met an older couple at the hospital when I was doing the hospital ministry. I wish I had their picture, but bringing a camera in to take pictures of patients is frowned upon! The husband happily told me that he and his bride had been married for 69 years. He teared up as he told me about his special lady. He still sounded so in love [...]
Kris Bridgman
Hmm ⌠what began as a demo had developed into a significant marriage moment with a little bit of embarrassment. The âexpertâ coach-trainer was being asked in front of the class to improve his listening. The observers were quiet. They realized that this was sacred territory.
Jeff & Jill Williams
Not only is there healing and recovery for those who have experienced church hurt but you can learn powerful and positive life-changing lessons on the journey. What happens when Christians aren't behaving like Christians?
Brittney Moses