Making Men: Discipleship on Purpose

It is no secret: I have a son. He is four years old, and his name is Isaac Thor Johnston. I am proud of him, and I love him. But most importantly, I am responsible for him. When I look at him, I see a host of possibilities and adventures that he will experience in his lifetime. He will grow in wisdom and stature. And depending on my faithfulness in discipling him, he will grow in favor with God and man. This is a task that many men...

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Examining the “Call” to Ministry

In almost every ordination board meeting, the inevitable question arises, “Will you share with us your call to the ministry?” On many occasions candidates for licensure or ordination fumble a bit and then share how they “felt” the call of God on their life for the ministry. But is it sufficient to be “called” in this way? Does the calling require more? What is the biblical basis for the call to ministry? And is a subjective call...

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Why Are We So Worried About Church Growth?

In my last article I attempted to answer the following question, “Whose responsibility is church growth?” I answered this question by concluding that this responsibility lies ultimately with God rather than men. I then made several suggestions as to how we might return to this perspective. Still this general discussion gives rise to many other questions, perhaps the most pronounced being, “Why are we so worried about church growth...

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Church Growth: Whose Job Is It Anyway?

Every day junk mail floods church mailboxes luring pastors to jump on the church growth bandwagon. Information on the topic constantly streams forth in the form of seminars, conferences, and books. Pastors and laymen alike are urged to model their church after the newest, trendiest, most popular methods used by other churches. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight for this downward spiral. Many of the concepts of what we know as...

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The Discipline Dilemma

When it comes to discipline in the Christian life, many believers feel that it is more drudgery than discipline. Prayer is seemingly lethargic. The practical value of meditation and devotional readings are reflected upon haphazardly. The real purpose of a spiritual discipline such as fasting is so far from being ‘relevant’ in today’s culture that it is often ignored. However, these spiritual disciplines are essential to the lives and...

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