3 ‘Real Life Theology’ Resources You Should Know About
If you spend any time on the Renew.org website or at a Renew.org booth at a conference, you will run into the title “Real Life Theology.” Many of our books and other resources have the heading “Real Life Theology.” So, what is “Real Life Theology” and what books fall under this category? First, why call […]
3 Ways to Shepherd Well
One of the foremost elders of the church, the Apostle Peter, gives us a clear picture of our role as elders. In 1 Peter 5:1-4, he states: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to […]
10 Secrets in the Bible: The Allure of Mysterious, Misleading Knowledge
Before we start listing secrets in the Bible, let’s consider what a secret is. A secret is knowledge concealed to many, revealed to some. Its allure lies in promising knowledge others aren’t privy to. Sometimes that knowledge turns out to be a lie, and the game turns out to be a clever form of betrayal. […]
3 Healthy Ways to Handle Ministry Pressure
Serving in ministry full-time, part-time, or even as a volunteer can be a daunting task. Constantly developing sermon series, teaching materials, leading or participating in staff meetings, board meetings, small group meetings (well, you get the idea). Not to mention dealing with numerous issues within the church. The litany of problems laid at your feet […]
Preaching: Drawing Lines to the Text within the Sermon
Anytime the preacher says, “Look again at verse 5. The word there means…,” the audience moves their attention to Scripture. They learn that in Bible Study, as in any other endeavor, words matter. Let’s say the preacher says something like, “Remember, there were no chapter divisions when this was written. When Paul said, ‘If you […]
Sex Work and the Church’s Job
Sex has been an economized commodity since early human history, and in many parts of the world sex work remains thriving business. How should Christians respond to sex workers? One religious response to sex workers has been to see such people as worthless because of the immorality involved (e.g., the Pharisee in Luke 7:36-39). Yet […]
How to Use the ‘Trust & Follow Jesus’ Manual for Disciple Making
I was first introduced to the Trust & Follow Jesus manual for disciple making through Bobby Harrington. He came and did a practical seminar on how to replicate disciple making groups on Harding University’s campus. The steps for creating a group and the “simple, effective, and reproducible” process immediately caught my attention because this is what […]
Why Are There Still So Many Unreached People?
Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven over 2,000 years ago. Before he left, he empowered his disciples and asked them to take the gospel to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8). Yet, from that time to the present, the ends of the earth […]
