Think Deeply About the Church
“It’s easy to confuse the blessings of the Church with her purpose. Being part of Christ’s household comes with so many wonderful benefits. In the local church, we have spiritual family, opportunities to use God’s grace gifts, good teaching, kids’ activities, events to attend, music, people to help us grow spiritually, and so much more. These are all gifts to be grateful for. But if we elevate the perks of the church over the purpose, we make the church about us and suffer mission drift. When the people in our pews are more concerned with “what we get out of it” rather than “why we exist,” we are in a state of amnesia.” Think Deeply About the Church by Beverly Chao Berrus
The Liturgical Calendar: Orienting Yourself to Life in the Kingdom
“In the early centuries of the Church, the discipline of observing the liturgical year was developed to teach God’s people how to locate themselves in proximity to Christ and his Kingdom. Each year, observing the liturgical calendar allows us to enter the beautiful narrative of God’s work in and through his people, Jesus’s earthly life, and the Holy Spirit’s past and current work through the Church. This annual excursion through God’s big story is designed to teach us how to make Christ the central figure in our own stories.” The Liturgical Calendar: Orienting Yourself to Life in the Kingdom by Danielle Hitchen
In the Wake of Church Hurt…You Need the Church
“I hope our church will be a place where you guys can heal.” The gentle words of our new pastor fell upon my heart like a soft blanket, adding a little comfort to a time of suffering. For the first time in months, I began to hope for a future with a new church. An inkling of belief that we might find community again lit up in my heart. But my fear of getting hurt—no, more than that, trampled—by those called to shepherd me remained a close companion. Spiritual abuse is destructive, its scars long-lasting.” In the Wake of Church Hurt…You Need the Church by Brittany Allen
How to Bear Burdens Without Being Crushed
“Galatians 6:2 commands believers to “bear one another’s burdens.” But how, practically, can we bear the burdens of others without being crushed by them? Over the years, I’ve had to learn to distinguish between what is my responsibility and what is the responsibility of another person. While I am responsible to others as a sister in Christ, I am not responsible for them. I am not someone’s Savior, Holy Spirit, or parent, and I do not need to function as though these are my roles. As you consider how to bear burdens without being buried by them, here are three lessons I’ve learned the hard way.” How to Bear Burdens Without Being Crushed by Ashley Chesnut
5 Ways to Combat Half-Hearted Worship on Sunday
“It's already difficult for my weak flesh and distracted mind to worship the Lord rightly, and if I’m not doing anything to prepare my heart for worship on other days of the week, it's even harder. How much more would I benefit from Sunday’s blessings if I anticipated them rightly ahead of time? After all, worshiping God together alongside the body of Christ is a gift. Singing songs of praise, confessing our faith with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and hearing God's Word preached faithfully is something we as Christians look forward to each week, and part of anticipating its blessings is preparing practically for it!” - 5 Ways to Combat Half-Hearted Worship on Sunday by Lainee Oliver
Inviting Women Back to God’s Table
“Why are people so likely to move away from their church community today? One of the biggest reasons is that many aren’t aware of why the local church is so important for believers. The theology of the Church wasn’t something they learned in Sunday School, and when you lack the why behind your actions, it can be difficult to stay committed in hard times. As Christian women who care about the church body, we can help educate others about this important theology and how God works through each of us to build his Kingdom. ” - Inviting Women Back to God’s Table, by Ericka Andersen
Hope and Healing in the Bread and Cup
“Through the Lord’s Table we are invited into a special aspect of on-earth-as-it-is-in-Heaven: we choose healing instead of bitterness, we choose love over hatred, and we choose to belong to each other. We participate in the ministry of reconciliation rather than amputating ourselves from the body of Christ. In Communion with the local church, mercies are made available to us that we wouldn’t otherwise experience. This is the mercy of ushering down to earth parts of heaven, bringing to parched ground the living waters of God’s Kingdom. Together, we take, break, eat, and drink in remembrance of the God who has come and will come again.” - Hope and Healing in the Bread and the Cup by S. A. Morrison
The Church: Essential to Our Endurance
“These brothers and sisters whose lives have been woven into mine have encouraged me, prayed for me, welcomed me to their tables, and adopted me as “auntie” to their kids. We’ve lived through high highs and low lows together, prayed for God’s provision and lifted up our longings and laments to him, pointed one another back to Jesus and the good news of the gospel time and again, and seen God at work in many ways. Church has always been part of my life, part of my week, and often part of my work. But it’s taken a pandemic and a sabbatical to reveal to me that church is not just important, it is essential to faithfully following Jesus.” - The Church: Essential to Our Endurance by Jenilyn Swett
Single, But Not Alone
"When our churches and friends fail us, when we face temptation, when rejection breaks our hearts, Jesus—himself a single man—identifies with our suffering (Isa. 53:3-4; Heb. 4:14-16). When we feel alone, are tempted towards despair, or look for salvation in something other than Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminds us of what is true (John 15:26-27). And when we question our worth, fear scarcity, cry out in lament, or humbly repent, the Father is ready and waiting to pour out his love and comfort (2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 3:14-21; 1 John 3:1-3).” - Single, But Not Alone, by Jenilyn Swett
"I Just Can't Go": The Importance of Gathering with the Local Church
"In today's fast-paced world, the thought of joining a church prayer meeting or gathering with brothers and sisters for a Bible study (sometimes even on Sunday morning) can seem overwhelming. It's one more thing on top of our already-hectic day. Speculations swirl through our minds. Darting thoughts remind us of the faults of others—and ourselves. We're tired, and it's easy to make excuses to keep us from assembling with the saints. But amidst these weary, heavy days, our greatest need (apart from Christ himself) is to be among the Lord's people.’” - I Just Can’t Go: The Importance of Gathering with the Local Church, by Katherine Pittman
Dear College Student: 4 Encouragements to Live on Mission
"For four years, you have the opportunity to reach those from the other side of the globe with the gospel by simply walking across the hall. If we are called to go and “proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15), this is the most risk-free step of obedience we can take. We have the privilege of fulfilling the Great Commission right here on our campuses.” - Dear College Student: 4 Encouragements to Live on Mission, by Ellie Sauder
Where is God When Life Changes?
"We know change is inevitable. To be human is to experience the ebbs and flows of life. Some changes are planned and are accompanied with minimal strain; others are so life-altering we sometimes refer to them as death and rebirth. We know our lives will change, but the inevitable is still shocking. Even when change is good, it’s hard. Yet with every change, we have an opportunity to learn with greater conviction that God is good.” - Where is God When Life Changes, by Shar Walker
Fighting Relational Fear by Cultivating Delight
"Our natural bent in relationships is to seek safety by trusting our own wisdom: we fight back, run away, endeavor to please people, judge others, or compete against them. This dark side of self-protection is really a form of fear, and even for those of us who are in Christ, it can still be a visceral response that rules us. So how do we learn to be ruled by something better than our own wisdom?” - Fighting Relational Fear by Cultivating Delight, by Aylin Merck
Three Things Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew
"You probably know her from afar. Ask anyone from your church and they could point her out to you, that woman your pastor is married to. And you might be curious about her. What does life look like in her family day to day? Is there any way you could get to know her better? As a pastor’s wife for almost 50 years, let me share three insights into what it’s like for her to be married to your pastor--three peeks into her life that could help you build a bridge to her heart.” - Three Things Your Pastor’s Wife Wishes You Knew, by Jani Ortlund
Friendship Around God’s Table
"We ordered the largest U-haul truck available, passed out the inadequate “thank you” treats of coffee and donuts to our box-loading friends, and drove off to a new everything… Now we’re here. The moving truck has long since been returned, and the emptied boxes recycled. Even the first new school year has been completed. But our still-undecorated walls reflect the newness that remains. We still need to learn new roads and new favorite takeout places. Yet the most daunting task of all is establishing new friendships.” - Friendship Around God's Table, by Myra Dempsey