'church' Tagged Posts

'church' Tagged Posts

Living As a Blessing in a Time of Struggle

From the very beginnings of the biblical story in Genesis, the Bible envisions God’s people as a means of blessing to the world. This theological principle gives us a good framework to consider what faithfulness looks like on the frontline. We are a means of blessing when we do good work and employ our gifts for the good of others. We are a blessing as we model the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and…

The Unsung Stories of Everyday Discipleship

It is rare for the churches I’ve attended to invite others to the front to share. It’s typically reserved for progress reports of church ministries and events, visiting ministry partners, and people leaving to go on missions trips. She fell into that last category. They called her forward one Sunday, gave her time to share, prayed over and commissioned her. She was nervous but passionate, her pale cheeks flushing as she shared her desire to serve God and be willing…

The Great Commission & The Purpose of the Church

What is the purpose of church? It’s a question I’ve been reflecting on over the last several months, as “church time,” as my two-year-old calls it, has shifted to a digital experience. As we’ve had our normal rhythms stripped away, it’s given space to reflect once again on the purpose and nature of the gathered life of the church. This is a question theologians and Christian thought leaders have written shelves-worth of books about, so I in no way presume…

How to Survive Enduring Uncertainty and Transition

Rashad Clemons was in the middle of a major transition when the pandemic struck. He’d recently moved back to the east coast with his family to become the new pastor of Reality Church Boston. The plan was to do a one-year handoff, in which he would be the pastor-in-residence and slowly receive responsibilities and leadership as the planting-pastor transitioned out. When the pandemic hit in the middle of this year, the plan had to change. Rashad remembers that he and…

Women in the Kingdom Sermon Series Announcement

Dear church, This Sunday, March 20, I am excited to share that we will begin a new sermon series entitled, Women in the Kingdom. In this 6-10 week series we will study God’s perfect plan for men and women as experienced pre-fall and as will be experienced after the second coming, the post-fall (historical and current) condition of women in the church, and God’s heart towards women as seen through the arc of Scripture. We will also dive into several…

Pastor Sam Kim’s Paper on the Ordination of Women

Pastor Sam Kim of Intercultural Mission Church in North Andover wrote a paper on women in ministry, focusing specifically on pastoral ordination, which he has given us permission to share. In it he works to build a bridge between the complementarians and egalitarians. You can find that paper attached below. You can also click this link to hear Pastor Sam preach, or click this link if you’d like to read his testimony of healing from racial trauma. Thank you Pastor Sam…

Frontline Stories From the Whole Body of Christ

It has been a privilege and delight to share the stories of Equippers and Frontliners with you over the last several weeks. As I’ve sat down (virtually) with each of these brothers and sisters to hear what faithful discipleship looks like in their own context, I’ve been repeatedly encouraged. This is part, I believe, of why we need to hear stories like the ones we’ve been sharing this summer. It’s not only about learning from each other, though this assuredly…

Church Search Directory

Do you need to find a church for yourself or a family member? Here’s a list of church-search directories we find helpful. Conservative Congregational Christian Conference Church Directory (CCCC) The Gospel Coalition Church Directory (TGC) 9Marks Ministries Church Directory God bless you in your search. In Christ, Cornerstone Staff