We interviewed Pastor Ken Wytsma, author of The Myth of Equality about why pastors should view seeking justice for the oppressed as a form of care ministry. In light of recent events in our nation, his insights are particularly timely and beneficial for church leaders to hear. Why are you passionate about helping the underserved? When I was eight years old, a refugee … [Read more...]
The tinder box: Warning signs and safeguards in church conflict
In 1982, Ken Sande established Peacemaker Ministries, an organization dedicated to biblical conflict resolution for individuals, families, churches, and institutions. The training it offered in Christian conciliation and articulated in Sande’s book, The Peacemaker, has impacted individuals and institutions worldwide as they have sought to resolve disputes biblically. Thirty … [Read more...]
All together now: Coaching parents to connect with kids
Perhaps you could put yourself in Maria’s shoes as she shrivels with embarrassment during this incident at a Target checkout line with her four-year-old daughter, Amy: “Amy, put the candy bar back.” “But Mommy, I really like this kind.” “No. We’re going home to eat lunch as soon as we leave here.” Amy jacks up the volume a little in her response: “Ahhh. What are we … [Read more...]
What not to do: 4 pitfalls to avoid in ministry to singles
In my recent book, Redeeming Singleness, I present a theology of singleness from the beginning of creation, through the history of Israel in the Old Testament, to Jesus and Paul in the New Testament. While I won’t recount that exploration here, for this setting I would like to address the following questions: “Why should we be uniquely concerned about the singles within the … [Read more...]
The roller coaster they never wanted: Helping people trust God when their lives are upside down
If you are a pastor, then I’m sure every once in a while you have a conversation with a Job. You sit down with someone, hear his story, and find it hard to imagine that anything else possibly could be going wrong in his life. It’s natural to feel disheartened by such a story. Certainly, it’s disheartening to live that kind of story. It can feel like nothing is left to be … [Read more...]
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