Joel Kurz
Spotting, Assessing, and Training Leaders for Church Ministries
By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022We need to find and train leaders. But how?
How to Examine Qualifications in Elder Candidates
By Joel Kurz | 10.11.2022Find the men in your church who are already eldering. Get to know them and, as you do, keep 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 in mind. Once you’re reasonably confident this man ought to be an elder, I recommend a process of formal evaluation.
Associate with the Lowly
By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021Who are the outcasts in your community? Who is overlooked? And when are they coming over for dinner?
Build Fences Around Your Flock
By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: Shepherding: The Work & Character of a Pastor | 06.30.2020We must guard the sheep against wolves. For this reason, we must know how to build fences; that is, we must lead our church in practicing meaningful membership and discipline.
How Can We Love Our Non-Christian Neighbors During COVID-19?
By A. Ziafat, B. Johnson, J. Kurz, P. Tibayan | 05.05.2020We asked pastors how they’d been serving their non-Christian neighbors since the pandemic disrupted regular ministry.
Mailbag #87: Are there Qualifications for Serving in the Church? . . . What Should a Congregation Vote On?
By J. Kurz, R. Johnson | 07.26.2019— Does the Bible specify qualifications for serving in the church? — What matters should a congregation vote on?
Stories of Restoration after Church Discipline
By J. Kurz, J. Folmar, P. Newton | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Following the Lord Together | 05.07.2019We asked three pastors to share a story of restoration—that is, someone who had been restored to membership after being disciplined for unrepentant sin.
Mailbag #76: The Role of Matthew 18’s “One or Two Witnesses” . . . Must Christians Go to Church Every Sunday? . . . How to Care for an Unwed & Pregnant Member
By B. Johnson, J. Kurz, P. Martin | 03.01.2019Three pastors answer one question each about church discipline, church attendance, and caring for a church member who is unwed and pregnant.
4 Reasons You Should Preach through Jeremiah
By Joel Kurz | 11.01.2018Four themes throughout this ancient book will particularly benefit your congregation today.
Book Review—Technicolor: Inspiring Your Church to Embrace Multicultural Ministry, by Mark Hearn
Review by Joel Kurz | 11.20.2017While there are a few weaknesses, this book offers a unique and much-needed contribution to American evangelicalism, especially as demographics change.
Church Planting across Ethnic Lines
By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: Church Mergers and Plants | 06.20.2017When God burdens a preacher for a people group, a neighborhood, or a block, it’s right for that preacher to go and become all things to all people so that he might save some.
Church Planters, Don’t Wait To Put Your Documents in Place!
By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: Confessions, Covenants, and Constitutions: How to Organize Your Church | 03.01.2016Our church waited three years to put our church documents in order, and we suffered for it.
