Where Christian Leadership Begins: Q&A with Jaron Scott
*Editor’s Note: Jaron Scott pastors Christ’s Church of Joplin and works on the faculty of Ozark Christian College as a professor of organizational leadership. Here, Jaron explains how Christian leadership […]
Perspectives on Leadership: Leadership is Participation
The best things in life are often those we didn’t know we needed. The same is true in leadership. I have heard it said that vision is the leader’s greatest […]
Sermon on the Mount: Manipulator Defined
Manipulator Defined: Jesus on Oaths, Truth & Trust Manipulator Defined reveals how everyday oaths become tools of control, creating trust while secretly preserving personal “wiggle room.” By exposing manipulative speech, […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Challenges Christian Face Today: Urgent Wake-Up Call Modern influences like social media, podcasts, and cultural voices can disciple believers into “self-inspired theology” that slowly weakens faith. Renewing the mind means […]
Is Your Church Healthy? Let’s Be Careful…
Church Health and Returning to Your First Love Jesus’ evaluation in Revelation warns that a church can look strong in service and doctrine while still abandoning its first love. Even […]
A Weird Way We Win
Meek: The Weird Way Christians Win Battles Instead of mirroring the world’s aggression, meekness wins by keeping strength under control and responding with humility. Scripture shows Jesus conquering through gentleness—riding […]
Permission to Say No to a Fight
Say No To A Fight And Pick Battles Like Jesus Notice how Jesus repeatedly refused to be pulled into distractions and redirected people toward God’s deeper priorities. Discern which conflicts […]
What Is the Difference between Essential, Important, and Personal Elements?
Essential Vs Important and the Target Illustration for Faith Define how essential beliefs relate to salvation, important beliefs support orthodoxy, and personal convictions shape preferences. Use the target exercise to […]
Is Faith Mainly about Feelings?
Is Faith Mainly about Feelings? Faith as Trust, Truth, and Loyalty Scripture shows that faith is directed toward Jesus as a person, grounded in believing who he is—not simply how […]
Introduction to Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements
Introduction to Christian Convictions for Discernment and Faith Growth Chad recounts how his dad helped him overcome baptism anxiety by affirming core beliefs and encouraging ongoing spiritual growth. This introduction […]
The Life and Legacy of One Kingdom Worker
One Kingdom Worker and the Legacy of Quiet Faithfulness Vince’s story begins with simple confusion about entering church, but Scripture and a welcoming community led him to Jesus and ministry. […]
Some Uncommon Thoughts About the Book of Ruth
Book of Ruth: Insights for Holiness and Hospitality Drawing from two Old Testament streams, the Book of Ruth highlights how God honors both the call to holiness and the welcome […]
Mirage #1: I Want God to Love Me by Affirming My Decisions
I Want God to Love Me and Divine Correction When Scripture corrects sin, it’s loving guidance aimed at our long-term good, not instant affirmation of every choice. Daniel McCoy’s dissertation […]
The Truth Is Better Than My Truth (Because It’s True!)
My Truth — Anchoring in Jesus and Scripture Postmodern claims make truth a personal construct, but Scripture warns the heart deceives (Jeremiah 17:9) and defiles (Mark 7:21–23). Jesus declares, “I […]
What’s So Dangerous about Bible Misinterpretation? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Misinterpretation — Context, Clarity, and Accountability Examples like 1 Corinthians 14:40 and Acts 17 show how texts detached from context become tools to police practices God wasn’t addressing. Reader-response approaches […]
A Tragic Choice for a Hill to Die On
Hill to Die On — Unity, Discernment, and Essentials Grounded in Jesus’ example (John 6; John 12), believers relinquish inferior battles to pursue the cross-shaped mission that bears lasting fruit. […]
Accepting LGBTQ+ Lifestyles for Disciples of Jesus: A Response to Sally Gary and the CenterPeace Ministries Decision to be Pro Gay
CenterPeace Ministries — Conviction with Civility Drawing on his testimony, Guy Hammond upholds historic Christian sexual ethics while explaining why holiness—not heterosexuality—is the disciple’s aim. While affirming dignity and respect […]
Critical Race Theory: Bitter Roots
Bitter Roots — What CRT Draws From Surveying sources like Gramsci, Foucault, and Derrida, the article argues that CRT inherits a distrust of truth claims and the liberal order. By […]
How I Learned to Look for “God Signs”
God Signs — Everyday Reminders of God’s Nearness A skeptic turns joyful after a “praying mantis” moment on her windshield, recognizing a personal nudge following talk of sparrows as signs […]
Critical Race Theory: Friend or Foe?
Critical Race Theory — Gospel Framework for Discernment Amid its move from classrooms to culture, CRT now shapes public discourse and even school curricula, prompting fair, informed evaluation. Grounding the […]
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Post-Christianity
The Church in Germany Insights for Today From classrooms to pulpits, negative higher criticism eroded confidence in Scripture, opening a spiritual vacuum filled by rival worldviews. Mission progress is slow—often […]
An Election Day Prayer
Election Day Prayer — Peace, Wisdom, and Hope in Christ Rooted in 1 Timothy 2 and Jeremiah 29, the prayer seeks national peace so believers may live quiet, godly lives. […]
Are We Turning into Skeptics of the Bible?
Skeptics of the Bible – Cultural Drift & Gospel Remedy Enlightenment roots, failed institutions, and online echo chambers train people to distrust external authority—including Scripture. Real-life fallout appears in moral […]
Something You Can Never Be
Something You Can Never Be — Love That Tells the Truth Using the square–circle analogy, Daniel McCoy exposes the contradiction of “caring” by not caring and the cultural pressure to […]
When Am I Getting off Social Media?
Getting off Social Media — Discernment for Digital “Third Places” Documentary insights and personal research show platforms hijack attention, fuel mental strain, and deform virtue, making quitting a daily temptation. […]
Can We Be a Unified Church in a Divided World?
Can We Be a Unified Church in a Divided World — Unity That Acts During polarizing seasons, leaders model humility and keep the pulpit non-partisan so honest dialogue can flourish. […]
Book Review: Jen Hatmaker’s Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire
Jen Hatmaker’s Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire – Biblical Evaluation Drawing on Scripture, the review contrasts Hatmaker’s self-focused identity claims with biblical teaching on sin, grace, and the fear […]
Exile: The Perfect Word for Our Situation
Exile – Living Jeremiah 29 Exile calls believers to seek peace and pray for their city, following Jeremiah 29:7 while resisting deceptive voices that divide. Amid dislocation and loss, trust […]
Covenant
Covenant Meaning in God’s One-Way Grant Covenant shows a sharp contrast. While syntheke conveys a mutual contract, diatheke illustrates God’s unilateral arrangement. Scripture consistently uses covenant language. The New Testament […]
Can Churches Have Friendly Dialogue with the LGBTQ Community?
LGBTQ Community Bridge-Building Insights Lead with humility and honesty. Admitting weakness lowers defenses and opens space for friendship, evangelism, and discipleship. Serve together on shared causes. Working side-by-side for the […]
Rhett, Link, & the Danger of Duplicitous Faith
Danger of Duplicitous Faith and Its Impact on Believers Danger of Duplicitous Faith shows how Rhett and Link concealed doubts and spiritual struggles while leading in ministry. The narrative reflects […]
The Coronavirus: Facts and Fears
The Coronavirus in Context: Faithful Response Rooted in facts, the article explains The Coronavirus as a contagious respiratory virus like the flu, urging verification over sensational media claims. Putting The […]
The Iowa Caucus Delay: A Portrait of Theological Progressivism
Theological Progressivism and Its Impact on Clarity Theological Progressivism reflects vague answers to life’s biggest questions, offering optimism without grounding in reality. Candidates’ false optimism parallels theological progressivism, where ungrounded […]
Being Discipled in Discernment
Discipled in Discernment: Jesus Models Mercy Over Tradition Discipled hearts are shaped when we learn from Jesus how to apply God’s commands with compassion, even when others cling to rigid […]
Planet
Planet: How the Bible Warns Against Wandering from the Truth Planet means “to go astray.” In Greek, planetes refers to wandering stars—mirroring how people drift from God’s truth. Spiritual wandering […]
Tiptoeing on the Tricky Tightrope of Boundaries in Ministry
Boundaries in Ministry: When Ministry Feels Unclear Ministry is a tightrope of compassion and wisdom. From helping those in crisis to managing unchanging situations, leaders face tough calls on when […]
Itching Ears.
Itching Ears: Understanding the Allure of False Teachings What does “itching ears” really mean? Paul’s warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 reveals a timeless tendency to reject truth in favor of […]
Illusory Truth Effect
Illusory Truth Effect: What Makes Repetition So Convincing in a Christian’s Search for Truth? Illusory Truth Effect is the cognitive bias where repeated information—whether true or false—feels more believable over […]