Pain
I don’t believe God is personally responsible for every pain we endure. Sometimes God does inflict pain in order to discipline us – just as parents discipline children.
Justin Long
Spiritual Life
Articles in this category focus on issues related to leading from union with the Father and building our spiritual life to increase our effectiveness as Christian leaders.
Justin Long
Imitating Our Generous God
Believers should be the most generous people on earth. Give something to someone in need this week, then wait for God to surprise you.
Mark Altrogge
Jesus Encourages
Jesus gave Peter a do-over and he can do the same for you. In what areas do you need a do-over as His steward?
Howard Rich
The Key to Avoiding a Counterfeit Life
What does Paul mean by the term, “life that is truly life”? What other life would we seek to “take hold of”? The implication is that any other form of life that is not founded on generosity and a desire to be rich in good deeds is counterfeit life. That is a powerful and disturbing teaching. Are we willing to take it seriously? If so, we [...]
Scott Rodin
4 Reasons Younger Women Need Older Women in Their Lives
Are you investing in the life of someone spiritually younger than you? Know that the young women in your church want, and need, you to be.
Melissa Meredith
Having Our Way or Having Christ-Likeness
To know how much of the fullness of Christ in us can sometimes be hard to see or measure. What if we could see that our response in the face of hardship and injustice can give us a better glimpse at where we are in the process?
Deborah Chupp
Godly Wisdom for When the Fog Rolls In
The potential ramifications of failure or success weigh on leaders daily, which isn’t so bad, until the fog rolls in. Here are five pieces of leadership wisdom from Scripture that can guide you when it feels too unclear to move forward.
Dan Lovaglia
Four Reasons Burnout Is More Prevalent in Leadership
The burden of ministry is that ministry is never over. Those in ministry leadership never punch a clock. Caring for people is never done. Shepherding others is never done because their sanctification is never done.
Eric Geiger
A Glimpse of the Future Church: Six Things That Give Me Hope
What does it look like when God’s Spirit is poured out on a people willing to surrender everything back to Him? There seems to be some common characteristics that mark these times of extraordinary fellowship and the palpable presence of God. This is a glimpse of the Christian community that will stand and boldly proclaim the name of [...]
Scott Rodin
Four Practical Ways to Avoid Burnout
While leading yourself is vitally important, it is also extremely challenging. The famous pastor D.L. Moody quipped, “I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man I have ever met.” We struggle with ourselves. As you wrestle with the challenge of leading and caring for yourself, here are some practical ways to avoid burnout.
Eric Geiger
When Plans Get Interrupted, What Should You Do?
What do you do when your plans get interrupted? Fume … fuss … cuss? I tend to fume. I recall two experiences that interrupted my well laid-out plans. In the process, I also learned a few important life lessons.
Charles Stone
Stop Bowing to the God of Busyness
Smug senses of superiority for accomplishing many tasks don’t fit neatly into God’s kingdom. So why do I ‒ and so many other Western Christians ‒ keep falling into the trap of doing more?
Adam Maby
What I Wish I’d Known About Slowing Down for God
God can, and does, use young men and women to do amazing things. For this we should be thankful. But far more often, the combination of youthful zeal, prideful passion, and immature idealism forms a toxic combination in the soul.
Matt Rogers
Gaining Strength in the Spirit
We often think that if we get the public ministry we were called to, then we will be fruitful. But what if the real inward strength of the Spirit is gained while we are in the desert times when there is no fanfare and things don't make sense?
Deborah Chupp
The Truth About Spiritual Warfare and Small Groups
When you lead and influence people within the kingdom, the struggle becomes especially real.
Brandon Cox
5 Reasons We Struggle to Rest
We struggle to rest. Even on vacation, we can be restless. Why?
Eric Geiger
How I Learned to Work by Resting
2014 was the hardest and darkest year in my life. Christmas 2013, I was diagnosed with burn-out. I had to stop work completely. This was incredibly difficult. I was so used to being busy, to having my head filled with stuff, to be carrying on. I have always done so much in my own strength, relying on my own insight. But this proved [...]
Pieter Messelink
Is This our ‘Come to Jesus’ Moment?
Can any of us be living through this pandemic without believing God has a message for us in the midst of it?
Scott Rodin
6 Important Reminders for Leaders from Proverbs
The Bible is not a self-help book given to us to help us become better people, better leaders, or better at whatever it is we attempt. If it is about leadership, it is about God’s rule and reign and His relentless pursuit of people.
Eric Geiger
Is There a Racist Bone in Your Body? – Video
No one admits to being racist. Yet it may surprise you how many people actually are. And how about you? Is there a racist bone in your body? And, if so, what should you do about it?
Malcolm Webber