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Staying on Track
As a young minister, I've noticed how many ministers seem to get off-track in some glaring way during the course of their ministries. I never want to do anything that dishonors God or become someone who brings reproach to the Gospel or misrepresents the Lord Jesus Christ. I've always heard the admonitions about "the gold, the girls, and the glory," but can you share with me what you believe are the root areas of sin (or neglect, disobedience, attitude problems, etc.) that ultimately open up the door to these more obvious sins. I would love to hear from proven ministers how to stay on-track... how to avoid getting into prideful attitudes or wrong behavior. My heart's desire is to serve God with honor and integrity over the course of my lifetime. What are the specific pitfalls and traps I need to watch out for? Read the responses.
Full Cycle: Where It All Starts & Where It All Ends
Rev. Tony Cooke
Everything originates in God and everything consummates in God. Everything that begins in God’s goodness was designed to find its ultimate destination in God’s glory. The book of Genesis begins with everything - all of creation - proceeding from God. The book of Revelation ends with everything - all of creation - returning back to God for its final and eternal disposition. The book of Psalms opens with the words, “Blessed is the man.” The book of Psalms concludes with the words...Read this article by Tony Cooke.
New Section: Riches from History
40 Articles - The Apostles’ Creed, The Didache, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, Why God Used D.L. Moody, The Lausanne Covenant, Mother Teresa’s Message to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., and many more... Visit “Riches from History."
Church Planting
Pastor Douglas Crumbley
Church planting is a fast-paced, rapidly changing field. It takes people who are tenacious about their calling and their direction from God. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and adjust our methodology without compromising our Message. It is not for the faint at heart. To set out to plant a new church is to set out to work...hard. Of the many things that should be done in preparation for planting a church, the following three are what I consider some of the most important...
Read this article by Pastor Douglas Crumbley
In Search of Timothy Study Course - Watch the Introduction
Do you have a plan to strengthen and equip your volunteers, workers, and staff to serve more effectively this Fall? Learn more about the In Search of Timothy Study Course.
To My Child: What I Can and Cannot Do
I can share your life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can teach you to obey, but I cannot answer for your actions.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.
Read the rest of “To My Child: What I Can and Cannot Do.”
Compassion in Action: How a New Jersey Church is Impacting its Community
Tony recently interviewed Pastor Joseph Sorce in Brick, New Jersey. New Beginnings Church is impacting hundreds every month through a compassionate feeding program.
Book Recommendations: To Better Care for People...
An overseas Bible School recently inquired about books to use in training future pastors to be more effective in offering spiritual and biblical guidance. Tony surveyed five professional Christian counselors about this, and here are their recommendations. Read the list of recommended resources.
Read all of our quotes by visiting our Quotes Page.
GROWTH
“Don’t be yourself. Be superior to the fellow you were yesterday.”
- Unknown
COMPOSURE
“Always behave as if nothing had happened, no matter what has happened.”
- Arnold Bennett
DIVISIONS
“When all is said (and truly said) about divisions of Christendom, there remains, by God’s mercy, an enormous common ground.”
- C.S. Lewis
HATE
"When we hate our enemies we give them power over us - power over our sleep, our appetites, our happiness. They would dance with joy if they knew how much they were worrying us. Our hate is not hurting them at all, but it is turning our days and our nights into hellish turmoil."
- Dale Carnegie
ADVERSITY
“Do not let us speak of darker days; let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days – the greatest days our country has ever lived, and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race.”
- Sir Winston Churchill