Two years ago, I transitioned from leading and overseeing our church’s youth ministries to overseeing and leading our children’s and youth ministries. Practically, that’s an eighteen-year gap of kids under my care—not to mention their older...
These days, many people are talking about unity in diversity. But what does that mean for the body of Christ? What are our biblical models, and how can we learn from them? In the following excerpt from the excellent Mobile Ed course Ministry in...
When it comes to ministry tools, nothing can rival the Word of God. After all, God tells us his Word can pierce “to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:13)...
Strive to be a professor who is concerned about heart application as much as theological information.
By Harold L. Senkbeil Some years ago while traveling in Great Britain I watched a televised sheepdog competition, a contest testing the ability of shepherds and their dogs to guide a small flock of sheep through a maze. It astonished me to see how...
Such is the power of journals: they are the “primary sources” of the scholarly debate and conversation.
A few weeks ago Faithlife hosted BibleTech, a two-day conference on the intersection of technology and Scripture in the Christian life. As a cohost, I had the privilege of sitting in on at least half the talks. Topics ranged from the future of AI in...
Using technology for kingdom purposes can be highly effective, but all too often it becomes a vehicle for broadcasting ourselves. In this excerpt adapted from Facing Leviathan, Mark Sayers grapples with using social media as a means to communicate...
When you entered the ministry, you probably didn’t dream of sitting at your computer tinkering with your church website. And now you don’t have to. Faithlife Sites frees you to focus on what matters most by giving you a church website that runs...
I read a book called Out of Context by Richard Schultz last semester for a seminary class. The author goes through common exegetical and interpretive mistakes in teaching the Bible, including those that famous preachers or authors have made, and...
We live in a world that expects results. Nobody wants to waste their life or spend their time on things that don’t matter. That’s part of what makes it so devastating when our ministries feel fruitless—no one gives their life to Christ, the...
Chaplains come from all walks of life and serve as Christian leaders with spiritual influence. Whether working in hospitals, in the military, or elsewhere, chaplains apply leadership skills to influence people through the gospel and provide those...
Christmas was easily my favorite holiday when I was kid. My family kept so many traditions that made the holidays special. However, it wasn’t until I became a youth pastor in my native Kentucky that I understood just how stressful...
We live in a health-crazed world. With the help of the latest technology we are able to track information about our health with the simple push of an app on our smartphones. Even without the use of smartphones, we have access to an incredible amount...
Pastors, preachers, teachers, and other ministry leaders are constantly looking for ways to be more faithful and effective. One way to do that is by building a solid library. But every library has room to improve. Often, ministers will fill their...
There are 3 kinds of preachers in the world. Those who have been interrupted in the middle of a message. Those who will be interrupted someday soon. Those who are being interrupted right now. Murphy’s law tells us that service interruptions...
In a world afflicted with suffering, anger, addiction, and depression, how can Christians find joy? In Mobile Ed’s Biblical Soul Care, Dr. Tim Clinton explores the intersection of psychology, faith, and happiness. Dr. Clinton draws from the Bible...
During the summer, church life slows down. Many small groups go on hiatus, and schedules fill up with travel plans and other adventures. During this downturn, pastors and ministers look forward to fall and winter when things start to pick up again...
Church ministry demands time and energy, putting one’s spiritual walk aside too often. Kay Arthur shares how she blends the two.
If you’re a pastor, you lead a busy life. It’s hard to prepare for the next sermon, stay connected to your congregation, and maintain a balanced family life—all while trying to find time alone with God, to draw close to the one who’s...
John Calvin called the Psalms “an anatomy of all the parts of the soul,” meaning there is not a single emotion in all of life that is not articulated in the book of Psalms. When Dr. Mark Futato realized the Psalms’ broad relevance to all of...
Today’s guest post is by Jon Ng, ministry director of Rising Hope Street Ministry. Rising Hope seeks to address the immediate and long-term needs of homelessness through hunger-relief, authentic community, friendship, and care. In 2014, Jon...
Today’s guest post is by Pastor Kip McCormick. Kip is the campus pastor for Cornwall Church Skagit Valley in Mt Vernon, Washington—a satellite campus of Cornwall Church in Bellingham, Washington. Kip earned his Master of Divinity degree while...
During the Protestant Reformation, a concept arose to prominence that has deep implications on our theology: the priesthood of all believers. This is the conviction that we are as priests before God, with access to the Father through his Son...
Who would dare criticize the Charles Spurgeon, the great prince of preachers? Maybe more people than you think. The Spurgeon Commentary: Galatians opens with a brief biography of his ministry. This passage might surprise you: When 19-year-old...
As Christians, we’re all called to ministry in one form or another. Whether it’s formal work in the church or love and support for someone who needs them, ministry is a huge part of who we’re called to be as followers of Jesus. But how...
Preaching week after week can be an exhilarating and daunting task. And once you’re in the thick of sermon prep, it’s hard to find the time and tools to adequately assess how you’re doing. How do you set goals to get better...
If somebody asked you to sum up your seminary experience, what would you say? Two years ago I left behind my successful career in IT (Information Technology) to attend seminary. It was a great experience—but that’s not to say it was perfect...
Being a pastor's wife comes with its own unique set of challenges: You're expected to be a perfect wife and parent (even though you're only human). You're expected to model hospitality (even if you don't feel hospitable). You do a lot of behind-the...
Ever wonder how a doctorate degree could enhance your ministry? A doctor of ministry is the go-to degree for people already ministering at churches and on the mission field. DMin curricula include lots of lengthy written assignments, stacks and...