Holiness Is Not the Same as Forced Solemnity
This article explains that holiness is not a temperament, nor forced seriousness. One can be funny or dull, quiet or loud, and still be holy.
The Lost Virtue of Modesty
This article provides five biblical reasons why Christians should embrace modesty.
How to Pray Using Scripture
This article provides a simple strategy for praying the Bible. It discusses three Rs: rejoice, repent, request.
The Gift of Friendship and the Godliness of Good Friends (Part 1)
This article explores and encourages the gift of friendship.
Ten Principles for Church Song
This article lists ten principles for making wise decisions about church music. Among them are: our singing is for God's glory and the edification of the body of Christ, we ought to sing to the Lord new songs, church singing should swim in its own history of church singing, and all our songs should use biblical lyrics.
Thirteen Tips for Leading the Congregation in Prayer
Congregational prayer is part of the church's worship. How can you prepare for public prayer? This article gives thirteen tips for leading a congregation in prayer.
Seven Reasons Prayer Meetings Fail
Prayer meetings are part of the life of the church. However, often many prayer meetings fail. Why? This article gives seven reasons.
Dealing With Disappointment in the Church (Part 1)
Sometimes believers feel disappointed by the church. How do you help them deal with disappointment in the church? This article offers seven questions they can ask to deal with their disappointment.
Dealing with Disappointment in the Church (Part 2)
At times people can be disappointed in you as a pastor or an elder. How do you deal with disappointment in the church when you are criticized? This article gives seven questions you can ask to help you deal with disappointment.
How Can I Tell If I’m Called to Pastoral Ministry?
How can you tell if you are called to pastoral ministry? There are ten questions you may want to consider in thinking about your calling.
Were David and Jonathan Lovers?
This article answers the question more often raised in the homosexual debate: were David and Jonathan lovers? What is the most faithful way to understand their close relationship described in 1 Samuel?
Is God's Word Enough?
This article considers the sufficiency of Scripture, and gives thought to the difference this makes for the Christian life.
Filthy Rags or Fully Pleasing?
It is possible to please God! This is a truth that many Protestants would object to, and refer to Isaiah 64:6, for example, as proof that everything we do is filth in God's eyes. This article challenges such an objection by pointing to who God is and what his perspective really is toward good works.
Dude, Where's Your Bride?
Why is it that so many Christian women cannot find a partner? This article gives two reasons that perpetuate singleness and four things that can be done to promote marriage.
Acting the Miracle – Incentives for Acting the Miracle: Fear, Rewards, and Multiplicity of Biblical Motivations
This chapter wants to correct a too-narrow focus on motivations for sanctification. DeYoung believes that preachers and counsellors are too limited in the tools available to encourage biblical holiness. He feels that commands, gratitude, and duties are unhelpful on their own. Believers are motivated in different ways. He illustrates from Colossians 3 that there is a wide array of motivations for holiness.
What Is the Mission of the Church – What in the World Does Jesus Send Us into the World to Do?
Chapter 2 wants to answer the question, “What is the church’s mission in the world?” The authors think it best to start with the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19. First, they examine a few other passages that are sometimes understood as offering a fuller mission identity for the church: Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 19:5–6, Luke 4:16–21.
What Is the Mission of the Church – A Common Word in Need of a Careful Definition
The following words of Stephen Neill are used to introduce chapter 1: “If everything is mission, nothing is mission.” The chapter wants to introduce the concerns of questions like, What is the mission of the church? Is the mission of the church the same as the mission of God? Should we distinguish between the mission of the church and the responsibilities of individual Christians? Is Jesus’ mission continued by the church?
Don't Give Up on the Evening Service
Although holding an evening service is not mentioned directly in scripture, it is still a good and recommended practice for keeping the Lord's Day. This article gives reasons why Christians should attend or initiate the second service.
Defending Rights
Looking at the many oppositions facing Christians today, this article makes an appeal to Christians to develop apologetics as a legal defense.