Beware of Christians who build their entire platform on telling you how horrible other Christians are. It’s necessary sometimes to call out errors, but if they have no humility and nothing positive to say, they’re probably not focused on Jesus.

... when the Lord commits himself to a covenant relationship, he commits himself to love and care for his people like a shepherd cares for his sheep. He provides, protects and guides. He leads, corrects, and recovers. He loves, relates, and satisfies. - Leadership Matters

Jesus' followers belong to him like sheep belong to a shepherd. He knows them intimately, cares for them tenderly, leads them gently, and protects them continuously.

Everywhere we turn in the New Testament, we see church life described in a way that requires committed relationships. In fact, carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to the church becomes impossible or even absurd if attempted by a loose collection of uncommitted believers.

It is important to remember that baptism has not replaced circumcision, but baptism is the symbol representing what has really replaced circumcision, and that is spiritual new birth or, as Paul put it, the circumcision of the heart. buff.ly/3Znn0OO

My mom comes to me when she wants to understand the Bible better. And I go to my mom when I want to know how to obey the Bible better. There are Christians who understand the Bible less than we do, but they obey it better than we do. So be humble about your good theology.

When unbelievers visit our Churches: - they expect to hear about Jesus - they expect the Bible to be read - they expect to be told how they can know God That’s why they're there. They can be entertained, and find life-hacks anywhere. Church is where they're hoping to find God.

My ministry goals used to be to pastor a big church, speak at conferences, and write books. Now, my goals are simply: 1. Shepherd the same flock faithfully. 2. Lead all my children to the Lord. 3. Never disqualify myself from ministry. 4. Preach till I die.

If one's concept of Jesus is that of a harsh taskmaster demanding compliance under the threat of disapproval and punishment, they've gotten it wrong. Jesus leads his sheep; he does not drive them. buff.ly/3Znn0OO

Since, as God's stewards, we've been entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of overseeing Christ's invaluable church, we must stay fit for the job. To stick to the metaphor, the hard work of keeping watch over the flock requires that the shepherd be in shape. As spiritual

The religious class of Jesus' day were judgmental hypocrites. They saw sinners as enemies to be resisted instead of a mission field to be won. Consequently, moral outcasts saw nothing appealing about their religious system. On the other hand, when Jesus came, perfectly

Beware of pastors who are addicted to "the glitter of praise, he will be injurious both to himself and to others, desiring through his love of applause to speak more for the sake of approval from his audience, than for their benefit." - John Chrysostom (On the Priesthood, Book 5)

We are not saved because we are good people or because God is rewarding our good works. What the Bible teaches is that God looks upon our faith and counts it as if it is righteousness and saves us on that basis alone. churchmatters.ca

We don't have to use the term "church membership," but we do have to embrace the biblical model for church life. A model which sees local assemblies of believers committed to one another, organized under appointed leadership, and determined to faithfully carry out their

One of the amazing things about our sinful culture is that it is willing to tolerate (and celebrate) just about any form of immorality, while being absolutely intolerant towards any who refuse to go along with their sin. churchmatters.ca

Help new believers get off to a great start in their spiritual growth. Growth Matters is written to help a new believer as they take their first steps as a follower of Jesus Christ. Chapters cover topics like baptism, the church, sanctification, prayer, suffering, evangelism,

To join a church is to join with a group of baptized believers committed to live out their discipleship together, who regularly gather in organized assemblies, continuing together in the apostle's doctrine, fellowship, prayer, and the practice of the ordinances, under the

The clarity and abundance of Scripture passages teaching that Christians should expect suffering in this world raises significant questions about the honesty, or biblical literacy of those who promote a prosperity gospel. churchmatters.ca

God's design for His kingdom is the local church. A believer's local church is meant by God to be his spiritual community. He is to find a place where he contributes to that local body, enters relationships, exercises his spiritual gifts, benefits from the gifts of others, finds