As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“Discussing the effects of sin in believers, Owen makes three observations about the scandalous sins of Christians recorded in Scripture. And in a year when evangelicalism has had our share of Christian leaders embroiled in scandalous sins, it would be helpful to take Owen’s remarks to heart.” - TGC
“The church was fined for allegedly violating restrictions on in-person worship services and mask mandates implemented by the New Mexico Department of Health. The restrictions, which went into effect on Dec. 15, require churches located in “red-level” counties to cap attendance at 25% of capacity.” - CPost
“Třanovský knew something about suffering. He lived during the devastating Thirty-Year War, was imprisoned once, exiled twice, and forced to move several times. Three of his children died, and both he and the people under his care suffered the consequences of wars, pillaging, and pestilence. He was bedridden and in pain for eight months before going to meet his Savior.” - Ref21
“Users of the online database [hymnary.org] doubled as the novel coronavirus closed many church buildings this spring, and the website now is nearing 40 million page views for 2020, its highest ever.” - RNS
“Depending upon which study you look at, as many as one-third of the nones plan to go back to church one day. They’re generally not all anti-God, though some are.” - C.Today
This is the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and, through the years, I have learned how valuable this time at the end of the year really is. It allows us to evaluate and to look forward. While we can never truly plan the future (Jas. 4:13-14), attempting to prepare for it can be a wonderfully enriching experience.
Some people and pastors are Romans or Ephesian junkies. Other are perhaps Pauline addicts, while others thrive on the Gospels or Psalms. Some pastors are about getting their Acts together (sorry for the pun).
In your experience as both pastor and as part of a congregation — and you can add Christian radio listener to the group, etc., — which book (or set of books) from the list below would you say gets the least air time?
Most commonly sung congregational songs in the U.S. 2000–2015 vs. 1737–1960: “Among many similarities, one difference was striking: the topic of heaven, which once was frequently and richly sung about, has now all but disappeared.” - C.Leaders
“God gave you the gift of ministry so that you would know him. If you lean into that truth, you will find power, effectiveness, freedom and joy in your work that you never thought possible.” - CLeaders
Discussion