Church Revitalization: Surviving a Plane Crash
By Mike Christ | 07.14.2016Four years ago, when I began this church revitalization, I believed my main goal would be to preach, pray, and stay, and included in “stay” is to develop personal relationships with people and pour into discipleship. That’s the same advice I’d give now.
The Recent Shootings and What to Say This Sunday
By Brian Davis | 07.08.2016Your people need to know how the gospel applies to both the Alton Sterling and Philando Castile situations and the long dark tradition of racial injustice, as well as how it applies to retaliatory violence
Praying in Elders’ Meetings
By Greg Spraul | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.21.2016Elders often deal with difficult cases, so shouldn’t we pray for wisdom?
4 Reasons You Should Add a Regular Prayer Service to Your Church Calendar
By Brad Wheeler | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.21.2016If you could add one thing to your church calendar, what would it be? Have you considered adding a regular prayer service?
The Privilege and Power of a Praying Pastor’s Wife
By Erin Wheeler | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.21.2016We might say we believe prayer is important, but are we praying regularly, specifically, and expectantly?
A Call for Pastors to Pray for Their People
By Ryan Fullerton | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.21.2016Pastors, here are six biblical truths that I hope will jolt us out of our prayerless slumber.
Book Review: Calvin’s Company of Pastors, by Scott Manetsch
Review by Paul Alexander | 05.31.2016If you’re a faithful but discouraged pastor, this book is especially for you, because it proves you’re in good company.
4 Ways to Categorize Complaints in the Church
By Jonathan Rourke | 05.27.2016Hearing and responding to complaints is in the pastor’s job description. But how can we do this better?
The Limitations of Parachurch Ministries & Church Planting
By Nathan Knight | 05.26.2016Five years of service in your local church will yield much better dividends than five hours of being evaluated by the greatest church planting minds in the country.
Is Meek Weak?—Pastoral Reflections on Gentleness
By Aaron Menikoff | 05.23.2016The pastor who feels the need to power his church to greatness through the exercise of his own gifts underestimates the power of the gospel.
Book Review: Church Revitalization from the Inside Out, by Robert Stuart
Review by Josh Vincent | 05.16.2016This book was written by a shepherd who seeks to shepherd shepherds, calling them to reevaluate how they care for Christ’s sheep.
Mailbag #37: Congregationalism in China; A Defense of Building Bigger Buildings; Notifying the Recently Disciplined; Supporting a Widow Who Has Left the Church
By Jonathan Leeman | 05.10.2016— How can something like congregationalism work in China, with its networks of related house churches? — The leaders at my church want to build a bigger building, yet it seems to me a waste of money. What should I do? — After someone has been disciplined for non-attendance, should the church notify the person as a final act of congregational care? — Twenty years ago, our church made a commitment to financially support our former pastor’s widow. She has since refused to attend our church. What should I do?
Book Review: Gospel Eldership, by Robert Thune
Review by Phil Newton | 05.06.2016Thune has put together a series of essays, exercises, and questions for aspiring elders to consider before embracing the office of elder.
Mailbag #36: When Nominating Elders May Cause Disunity; Your 9 Marks Aren’t Enough; A Difficult Pastoral Situation
By Jonathan Leeman | 05.02.2016— Should I move forward with installing a plurality of elders, even if the decision causes disunity in the church? — I agree with your nine marks—but seriously, where are the marks of love and prayer and missions? — The grandmother of an unwed and pregnant teenager wants to have her granddaughter’s baby shower at the church. How should I think through this?
Mailbag #35: Excommunicating a Non-Christian; Elders for Church Plants; Membership Interview
By Jonathan Leeman | 04.22.2016— A church member denies the faith; is the proper response excommunication? — In a church plant, how long you should wait to install the first elders? — What questions should you ask during a membership interview? And what should you do if something like a past divorce comes up?
