Author: Administrador

Did you read about Arizona’s pounding pavement pelicans this summer? In July the Arizona Game and Fish Department was called upon to nurse over 30 dehydrated, emaciated, banged-up pelicans. From Yuma to Phoenix, these birds were literally flying into the pavement. How did it happen? Affected by a fish shortage along the west coast, they … Continue reading “Appealing But Not “A-Pauline”!”

 ‘Never suppose you know anyone completely, even a member of your family,’ state the grandsons of the late G. Campbell Morgan in the new book In The Shadow Of Grace (June 2007, Baker Books).  Despite their grandfather’s popularity, the fact that he was named one of the ten greatest Christian preachers of the 20th century … Continue reading “Writings of G. Campbell Morgan Provide Hope and Inspiration to a New Generation”

From the Editor: Preparing your soul for a life of preaching Articles: Trust the Story “The Secret” Is Self-Centeredness Illustrations: Integrity, Honesty Giving, Generosity Preaching Prayer, Priorities Link of the Week Preacher’s Bookshelf Humor And Finally…   “The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.” … Continue reading “PreachingNOW – Vol. 6, No. 26”

In his book The Big Idea (Zondervan), pastor Dave Ferguson talks about how his church has taken the homiletical concept of a single driving idea for the sermon and extended that across the entire teaching platform of the church. Dave Ferguson and four friends from college launched Community Christian Church – where he serves as … Continue reading “Preaching the Big Idea: An Interview with Dave Ferguson”

PHOENIX — Nepotism, on its face, may seem like the wrong thing in business and the workplace, but churches have allowed, even encouraged, nepotism-the hiring of family members within the same institution–even since Jesus’ day. Jesus’ brother was a part of the first century entourage. Author Adam Bellow writes that “religious pulpits have often been … Continue reading “Should You Hire Your Relatives on Your Church Staff?”

When it comes to ministry and money, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Look over these examples. Where do you fit? What fits you? Most importantly, how is God telling you to handle this? Ministry By Faith During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him, “Come over to Macedonia … Continue reading “If They Pay You to Speak, is it Ministry or Business?”

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia  — Christians continue to be martyred abroad, but few American believers are aware of how pervasive religious persecution is around the world. “Christians in this nation don’t realize how fortunate they are to live in the U.S.,” observes Jim Jacobson, president of Christian Freedom International.The Taliban’s kidnapping of the South Korean aid … Continue reading “Few Americans Aware of Worldwide Christian Persecution”

How would you like it if someone lived for six weeks in the attic of your church building and overheard everything said during those weeks? What influence would it have on this individual-for good or evil-to hear the interactions in your church? I recently preached a first-person narrative sermon based on this very scenario (I … Continue reading “A Sermon Written in an Attic”

Recently, I attended our denomination’s annual national event.  The preaching in the main sessions was, for the most part, quite good.    There was this one guy, though.  I neglected to buy the recording, so I can’t remember everything he said.  I do remember that he had, in that strange parlance we use to describe a … Continue reading “Lectures in Preaching”

“Without question the area where most pastors feel least prepared to lead their churches is stewardship in general and church finances in particular,” declare Aubrey Malphurs and Stephen Stroope in their new book Money Matters in Church (Baker Books July 2007).  Money can be a tricky subject under any circumstance but “There are aspects of … Continue reading “Start a Healthy Discussion of How Money Affects the Church”