Every Believer a Minister: Part 3 - A Church of Active Ministers
In the first two parts of this series, we discussed the biblical reality that all believers are called to ministry, and that church leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for that work. But what does it look like when the church begins to operate as a collective of active ministers? What happens when the priesthood of all believers is fully embraced and lived out?
Leading Through Uncertainty
The past several years have been anything but stable. The entrance of COVID into our vocabulary, the political swings, financial pressures, and so much more have seemingly redefined life as we know it. Life appears to be marked by a feeling of anxiety, or of a general sense of unsettlement.
Every Believer a Minister: Part 2 - Equipping the Saints for Ministry
In the first part of this series, we explored the biblical truth that all believers are called to the priesthood of ministry. But knowing that everyone is a minister is only part of the equation. The next crucial step is equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
Can Churches Discriminate - Beyond the Employment Context?
In church matters, for example, like the matter of church discipline, churches can “discriminate” in how they apply their internal rules to addressing sin, behavioral issues, etc. They can for example determine that certain individuals are not qualified for ministry, or eligible to work with children, or eligible to serve in leadership roles.
Fighting Mission Creep
Left to its own devices, any organization whether for profit or non-profit, will drift off its center line of mission. There are instances where that drift is ultimately positive because of advancements in the industry, or changes in the market.
Can Churches Discriminate in Their Hiring Practices?
For decades, our society has accepted the premise that discrimination is wrong. However, we need to qualify this.
Handiwork for Good Works
You are God’s handiwork. You are also the way in which God actively works in your tangible world (Eph. 2:10).
The Devil’s in the Details
More and more these days, churches are being involved in legal actions. Denominations are suing local congregations over ownership of the church property. Former staff members are suing churches, challenging what they feel was an unlawful termination. Every week it seems we’re reading about a sexual abuse case that has caused a family to bring a case against the church.