How to Respond to the Failure of Church Leaders Over the years I’ve been personally affected by the failure of church leaders. As a young person, the pastor of my church was removed from leadership for actions of sexual indiscretion.  I remember the morning when it was announced.  I remember the effects on the denomination,...Read More

The Biblical narrative provides both the example and precedence for our participation in the accountability element of each other’s journey of faith.  In the Old Testament, the Mosaic civil law prescribed behavior expectations, restitution requirements, punitive effects, and a sacrificial element. In the New Testament Jesus’ followers are to be actively encouraging each other to...Read More

Romans 13 is often misunderstood. It does not ask you to submit unconditionally to government. It does tell you that God has established a citizen & government relationship that is required for harmony to happen in any good society.  It requires both citizen and government to fulfill their duty! If one side does not fulfill their...Read More

In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 we find that the early church is polarized by preferences – the issue of purchasing and eating meat used in idol worship.  This meat was generally cheaper in the markets because it was donated to “feed the pagan idols” and later sold to fund the pagan temples.  In...Read More

Over the last several months, I’ve received many questions from believers about how they ought to relate to government and through these interactions, I’ve realized:  1. Churches and Christian leaders have not put a great emphasis on discipling people in this area of their lives. There are few classes, sermons, or small groups focused on relating...Read More

In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.Rupertus Meldenius We all know this famous line but it is much easier said than done.  Especially because there isn’t always an agreement in the articulation about what the “essentials” and the “non-essentials” are.  Years ago, the Committee on Evangelical Unity in the Gospel attempted to...Read More

When my father immigrated to Canada in the 1960’s, he was bullied in a variety of ways because he was Italian. They called him Sandy – because they couldn’t pronounce his Italian name. He told me about his experience when I was a kid. He moved us into a multicultural community where we were the...Read More

In ancient Athens, citizens of the state would gather in large amphitheaters to decide community matters through oral debate and a decibel voting system. This early method of democracy was very simple. Individuals on either side of a position would present their case and the rationale for their view.  Voting would take place via mob yelling.  The...Read More

Have you ever heard a well meaning Christian friend or leader identify another Christian as “religious” or having a “religious spirit”? I’m sure no one reading these posts has ever done that? Smile. If you have or do – please stop. When you miss categorize someone this way you are doing more harm than good....Read More

Do you realize that Jesus set boundaries for his family, his disciples, and those he ministered to? Boundaries are healthy and we need to learn how to set them in our life.Read More