How Can We Treat the Bible like Jesus Did?
In times of increasing skepticism about the Bible’s authority, we need to return to who Jesus is and how he viewed the Bible. (See articles 1 and 2 here.) How can we treat the Bible like Jesus did? We respond as Jesus did: We submit to Scripture by believing and acting on it. Believing It...
Renée Sproles
Can a Pastor of 5,000 Understand a Church of 150?
We at Renew.org are attempting something risky. We are hoping to convince church leaders of all church sizes to consider learning a church model from a church of 5,000. But isn’t that precisely the reason so many Christian conferences feel out-of-touch? How many conferences feature megachurch pastors explaining to small-church pastors what has worked so...
Renew.org
On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)
(This is Part 8 of our series “On Gender and the Bible.” For context, see articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10.) Blinding lights swing and sway across a massive Vegas venue. Deafening stadium anthems play at eardrum-bursting decibels. The bass is not heard as much as it is felt, rattling your lungs. Suddenly the...
Jared Ellis
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Post-Christianity
*Editor’s Note: As a missionary in Germany for a decade, Brett Seybold has been a student of the trends of post-Christian Europe and how these trends affect the church in North America. Although Brett loves Germany, his sober assessment of the German relationship with biblical Christianity is realistic and contains many lessons for the North...
Brett Seybold
An Authentic Experience
Can we be inviting to outsiders and faithful to the Bible? It is not only possible, but you can see this culture lived out in your personal life and in your local church. As a church planter and pastor, Corey Trimble and…
Corey Trimble
Exposing Some Common Myths about Suicide
It is important to dispel some common myths about suicide. These myths have accumulated through the years and actually hinder people from becoming involved in the life of a person who is at risk. Myth #1: People who talk about suicide don’t commit suicide. Research in the St. Louis area found that 69% of those...
Gary Zustiak
What Did Jesus Believe about the Bible?
In light of increasing skepticism about the Bible’s authority in our lives (see article one here), we should take a fresh look at why we claim that Scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and instructing us. By looking at who Jesus Christ is and what He says about Scripture, we can have confidence and...
Renée Sproles
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Sacrificial Love
It’s a time of rants, cynicism, and reactionism. Our world needs to be introduced to grace. At the same time, our churches need to be reminded of grace. Are our ministries characterized by grace? How can we grow in grace in such a way that it leads everything from our staff meetings to Sunday morning...
Corey Scott
Sermon on the Mount: Poor in Spirit
*Editor’s Note: This is the fifth article in a 13-part series on the Beatitudes. Here’s the complete list of articles in the series: Who Does Jesus Think He Is? Crowds or Disciples? The Sermon’s Most Important Word The Pursuit of Happiness Poor in Spirit God’s Answer to the Problem of Evil Meekness Hunger and Thirst...
Jeremy Bacon
What Are Christians Doing on Social Media?
How are you representing Jesus on social media? Now, there is a lot of good that can be done through social media. There’s a lot of damage that can be done, too. Especially when it comes to politics, social media is fraught with temptations and dangers for the disciple of Jesus. There have been times...
Jon Sherwood
Peter, Paul, and Race
When it comes to race relations and the church, let’s acknowledge first off that the church has had major challenges in this area. Yet let’s also acknowledge that the church is still our best hope. Why? Well, because Jesus is the head of the church. As long as we keep in step with Jesus, the...
Michael Patterson
An Election Day Prayer
*Editor’s Note: On a day characterized by polarization and anxiety, it is encouraging to be reminded of where our hope lies. Join us as we pray this election day pray along with Matt Proctor. Father God, As we approach a national election, we pray first for peace. We lift up prayers and intercessions, as Paul...
Matt Proctor
Church, You Can’t Lose on Tuesday
It’s becoming clear that this isn’t going to be the article I had wanted to write. I had wanted to write something as upbeat as the ska songs I listened to in high school. It’s my personality. As an optimist, it’s not like I’m unaware of the challenges my nation is facing. It’s just that...
Daniel McCoy
What a Ghost Hunter Taught Me about Trust in God
On Halloween 2003, my freshman year of high school, I sat in my dorky costume in Chemistry class and waited for class to begin. But today, my teacher, Mr. Ronnie Nixon, had something else planned. Mr. Nixon had previously been a scientist of the paranormal before he became a high school science teacher. On Halloween...
Taffeta Chime
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Understanding
It’s a time of rants, cynicism, and reactionism. Our world needs to be introduced to grace. At the same time, our churches need to be reminded of grace. Are our ministries characterized by grace? How can we grow in grace in such a way that it leads everything from our staff meetings to Sunday morning...
Corey Scott
Are We Turning into Skeptics of the Bible?
In May of 2017 the satirical Christian website, The Babylon Bee, published this headline: “Man Sitting Literally Three Feet Away From Bible Asks God To Speak To Him.” The article began, According to sources, local man Steve Harrison fervently prayed Thursday that the Lord would speak to him and make His will for the man’s life...
Renée Sproles