• David Mears
•
• 11 September 2015

A Christian is “at the same time justified and a sinner” (simul iustus et peccator). It is one of the more well-known phrases of the Reformation. God in his grace and mercy has declared the Christian to be righteous due to the atoning work of Jesus Christ. And what God declares something to be, truly is. And yet at the same time, sin is still at work in our flesh.

Read More →

• Ruth Baker
•
• 27 July 2017

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to be gay?” “Of course it would be easier. But once you know the truth…”

Read More →

• Craig Hamilton
•
• 10 September 2015

Doing things well and developing new leaders are both valuable and necessary objectives. The trouble is that these two agendas often clash. Training someone up means, almost by definition, that in the beginning they won’t be particularly good at whatever it is they’re learning to do. And they almost certainly won’t be as good at it as you are.

Read More →

• Philip Griffin
•
• 8 September 2015

Recently I was talking with a neighbour about church, and he asked me “So what is church all about?” He was curious, and wanted to know what I think is central to what we believe, sing about, pray about and how we relate to one another.

Read More →

• Jean Williams
•
• 4 September 2015

I love personality tests. That’s not surprising, because people with my personality type enjoy self-analysis. My husband, on the other hand, dislikes personality tests. Yet he still uses them in ministry training because he appreciates how useful they can be in helping people understand themselves and others a little better.

Read More →

• Craig Hamilton
•
• 3 September 2015

Sometimes when you first start out as a leader it can be tempting to look at the people higher in leadership over you and think to yourself, “I can’t wait to be in that position. I’ll be able to do what I want and I’ll have lots more flexibility. The more authority and responsibility I have, the more freedom I’ll have to do what I want.” But that’s not how it works—and especially not in Christian leadership.

Read More →

• Chris Drombetta
•
• 1 September 2015

I don’t typically think of tension as a good thing. The stress of life, throbbing headaches, tight shoulders, difficult meetings, and arguments at home are not my favorite experiences. However, I was recently reminded again that tension is quite important as we teach our people the Bible.

Read More →

• David Martin
•
• 25 July 2018

How do you preach at a wedding? How do you give a funeral message? How do you prepare a graduation or ordination address?

Read More →

• Samuel Freney
•
• 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.

Read More →

• Sandy Grant
•
• 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”.

Read More →