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Leading a Church Without Neglecting Your Marriage
Jon Kelly
It was over nine years ago, during the second year of our church plant. I was at home in the living room on a phone call with a young man who had recently started attending our church. My wife sat...
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Why a Sermon Works
J.A. Medders
A recent sermon I gave reminded me why sermons “work.” I was preaching on how to experience Jesus, how to enjoy him, rejoice over him, and “extol his love” (Song. 1:4). And at the apex of the message, as my...
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Bothering God: Becoming Persistent in Prayer
Ronnie Martin
“Forgive me for bothering you with something so minor …” How many times has somebody approached you with words like this? If we’re paying attention, we can probably detect some level of shame in their approach. They are likely afraid...

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Theology for the Front Lines of Church Planting
J.A. Medders
Church planters wear many hats. Disciple. Missionary. Evangelist. Pastor. Preacher. Counselor. Leader. Theologian. Embrace your role as a theologian. Theology is Practical While some people are technical and professional theologians, you are a missional theologian. A pastor-theologian. A planter-theologian. Your...

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Rural Is Not a Plan B: Recovering the Strategic Significance of Small-Town Church Planting
Dan Steel
“When I told a friend we were planting in a rural town, he looked at me like I’d failed the church planter audition.” That was the half-joking confession from a friend, but it reveals something real. In much of the...

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Gospel Sanity in an Insane World
Barnabas Piper
One of my ministerial and theological pet peeves is when Christians, especially pastors, respond to contentious societal issues with a glib “that’s a gospel issue.” I’ve seen this response offered to racial disputes, political disputes, and just about every other...

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3 Steps to Stronger Preaching: Lessons from the Offseason
Noah Oldham
This summer, my son Chaim finished up his 13U baseball season. He’s a catcher, a pitcher, an infielder, and a hitter who plays with all his heart—and this season was a turning point. Among the many improved stats, one thing...