Latest Ideas

• Dave Burt
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• 31 August 2015

Bible verses are hard to remember, because you’re trying to hang a tiny shred of Scripture on the flimsy hook of an arbitrary chapter and verse number. They lack context, which makes them not only harder to remember but less useful for disciple-making ministry, and potentially dangerous.

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• Colin Marshall
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• 28 August 2015

I’m worried about the language and concepts of the human resources world being applied to churches and pastors. I hear questions like: What do we do with underperforming pastors who are not growing the church? Are we reinforcing their sense of entitlement by accepting and rewarding underperformance?

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• Craig Hamilton
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• 26 August 2015

In the midst of life it’s a constant battle to trust the Bible and build on it and hold to it. Worldly wisdom often contradicts the Bible and pushes us to not trust Scripture. Advice from wise friends and family can sometimes contradict the Bible and push us to not trust Scripture.

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• Mike Leite
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• 25 August 2015

One of the things that I am most thankful to God for as a young Christian leader is the older and wiser men and women that God has placed in my life. More specifically, I am thankful for those three or four sage Christian men who have invested their time in me, and who meet with me regularly.

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• Samuel Freney
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• 24 August 2015

After being in paid ministry for over a decade, I recently joined a church where I have no position, title, or responsibility beyond that of any other new member. Let me tell you, it’s an eye-opening experience of how churches operate.

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• Sandy Grant
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• 21 August 2015

We’re preaching through Hosea at our church, and studying it mid-week in our Bible studies and youth groups. My group and I grappled with Hosea 6:6. In the NIV it reads “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings”.

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• Sandy Grant
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• 19 August 2015

This week: public acknowledgement of media bias against those who don't want marriage redefined; what to say to your spouse when you have nothing nice to say; the advantages of consecutive expository preaching; the intolerance of tolerance.

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• Hannah Ploegstra
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• 18 August 2015

Leaves are essential to plants. But leaves aren’t fruit. Leaves aren’t what the vinedresser comes looking for. Leaves aren’t what he puts in his basket. Yet, in our Christian lives, I think we often mistake our leaves for fruit.

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• Peter Sholl
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• 17 August 2015

What do airlines, hotels and other travel-related organizations want from business travellers? Well, obviously my money, but they would never be so crass as to put it like that. Instead they say, “We want your loyalty”.

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• John McClean
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• 14 August 2015

In the ancient world, a covenant established a relationship of solidarity and loyalty. It was based on solemn promises, sealed with signs, and often regulated by a covenant document (the book of Deuteronomy is the fullest example in the Bible). The covenant document came from the lord of the covenant, stating who he was and how the relationship with his people had been established, and giving the conditions of the relationship.

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