“The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Luke 16:8). The legendary coach was done. After forty-one years at the University of Chicago, leading the Maroons to seven Big Ten championships in football, most recently in 1924, coach Amos Alonzo Stagg stepped down, due to forced retirement at … More What College Football Can Teach the Church

Last night, a friend of mine asked, “How do you know when a church is preaching the word?”  That is a good question.  How do we know?  After all, the command is clear–“preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2)–but what does it look like?  Bringing it home, how do you know if your church is preaching … More Does Your Church Preach the Word?

“But he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down” (Luke 13:8-9). This past week, God “spoke” through some amazing providence, perhaps giving us some hints … More In-House Ministerial Training: Fertilizer for the American Church

As Christians, we are quite familiar with denominational labels, but are they proper?  Is it right to identify other Christians as “Lutheran” or “Wesleyan,” when such labels are absent from the Bible, and carry the name of mere men?  Is it right to identify other Christians as “Evangelical” or “Fundamentalist,” when such labels can give … More Humble Pride and the Christian Tradition

Though it is often said of the sheep, a pastor also can think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence–not that he may desire a new flock of sheep, but perhaps time away to be more than just a shepherd.  After all, does he not have talents?  Are there not … More A Pastor Can Learn from Stay-at-Home Moms

Should a church request that only baptized believers partake of the Lord’s Table? This question has arisen periodically at our church in response to comments made from the pulpit before communion. You may have been one of those who has asked this question, perhaps due to personal reasons or perhaps out of a desire not … More Baptism before Communion