What does "active ministry" look like in a practical sense? We noticed last week that every person in the Lord’s church should be a contributing member in the work. For most of my life I’ve heard church leaders talking about “The Big 3” ministries in the church. Let’s identify those three things and their primary function to the Body. Benevolence is the heartbeat of a living faith, manifesting as a tangible response to the physical and emotional suffering of others ( M

When many people think of "ministry," they picture a man in a pulpit or a missionary in a far-off land. They envision someone with a specific degree or a formal title. But in the New Testament, ministry was never intended to be a spectator sport. It wasn’t a performance by a "clergy" for an audience of "laity." Instead, the church was described as a living, breathing body where every single part—no matter how small—had a vital function. I am a member of the church of Christ b

In a world increasingly fractured by the poison of racism—a lie that suggests some humans are superior to others—we must return to the very beginning to find our footing. Racism thrives on the illusion of fundamental difference, but I submit to you that the soil of the Garden of Eden tells a different story. We’re all connected to the same Source. The Word of God reveals that every human being, regardless of shade or stature, shares a single, divine origin. When the Creator f

Many people view religion as a weekend hobby—something to be checked off a list on Sunday morning before returning to "real life" on Monday. But for the follower of Christ, there is no distinction between the secular and the sacred. When we emerge from the waters of baptism, we don’t just join a church; we embark on a completely new way of existing. I am a member of the church of Christ because we emphasize that Christianity is a 24/7 commitment. It is not enough to worship r

If you were to ask ten different religious leaders, "What must I do to be saved?" you would likely receive ten different answers. Some might tell you to "say the sinner’s prayer." Others might say, "Just believe in your heart." Some might tell you that you were saved before you were even born, while others suggest a long process of sacraments and rituals. In the midst of this confusion, where do we find the truth? Within the churches of Christ, we believe the answer must come

Over my 30 years in ministry I’ve fielded a lot of questions about our modern holidays. Most of us realize that December 25th isn't Jesus’s literal birthday (He was likely born in the spring), and that the date of Easter shifts every year. This often leads to a deeper, more personal question: Is it actually okay for a Christian to celebrate these days? How do we even know which day is correct in celebrating that holiday? The word "holiday" literally comes from "holy day," but

Imagine you held the cure for a global pandemic in your hand. You knew exactly how to stop the suffering, how to heal the sick, and how to prevent future deaths. Would you keep it to yourself? Would you hide the formula in a drawer, or would you shout it from the rooftops? The Gospel—the "Good News" of Jesus Christ—is the only cure for the spiritual pandemic of sin. Every person we pass on the street, every coworker in the next cubicle, and every neighbor across the fence is

Giving is more than just a logistical necessity of the church; it is a profound act of worship rooted in the examples and commands found in the New Testament. When we look at the early Christians, we see a pattern of generosity that wasn't just about money, but about a deep-seated devotion to God and their fellow believers. A Pattern of Purpose The early church established a clear rhythm for their contributions. In I Corinthians 16:1–2, Paul provides specific instructions: "N

In any organization, the structure of leadership determines its direction, health, and longevity. If you look at the corporate world, you see CEOs and boards of directors. In the political world, you see presidents and parliaments. In the religious world, you often see popes, archbishops, or centralized "headquarters" that dictate policy for thousands of local congregations. However, when we look at the New Testament, we find a completely different model. The church of Christ

We have spent the last nine posts exploring the blueprint of the New Testament church—its origin, its worship, its leadership, and its ultimate hope. But as we conclude this series, I want to move away from the "theology" for a moment and speak directly to you. The church is not just a subject to be studied; it is a family to belong to. If you have been searching for something more in your spiritual life—something deeper, simpler, and more authentic—I want to extend a persona

Our theme this year is “ Growing in Christ ,” and growth requires more than good intentions—it requires connection. If time in the Word is how God speaks to us, then prayer is how we speak to God . And just like any relationship, if communication is missing, the relationship grows cold.that’s why prayer isn’t optional for a disciple. It’s a discipline we develop to grow our relationship with the Father. In Luke 18:1, Jesus taught that we “ought always to pray and not lose hea

Our theme this year is “Growing in Christ,” and growth is never accidental. Anything that grows—whether it’s a garden, a marriage, or a faith—grows because it is nurtured consistently over time. That’s why, for the month of March, I want to focus our bulletin articles on a simple but powerful theme: Spiritual Disciplines. These are the steady habits God uses to grow His people—things like being in the Word, prayer, worship, and service. They may not always feel “exciting,” bu

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase "standing on business." In our modern context, it often refers to integrity, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of your goals. You're serious about your grind. You don't let excuses dictate your actions. What does it mean to "stand on business" when it comes to accountability? It's not about being aggressive or defensive. It's about a deep, internal commitment to taking responsibility. It's about recognizing that your actions have consequences

If the New Testament had a "How-To" manual for actually living out your faith, the Book of James would be it. It is often called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," James doesn't spend much time on abstract theology or debating heretics. Instead, he focuses on what faith looks like when the rubber meets the road. Whether you're struggling with a short fuse, wondering why life is so hard, or trying to figure out how to treat people, James has a blunt, loving, and practical wo

If you were to step into a time machine and travel back to the first century to visit a gathering of early Christians, what would you see? You wouldn't find light shows, professional rock bands, or complex rituals directed by a centralized hierarchy. Instead, you would find a group of believers gathered in simplicity, focused entirely on the "apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" ( Acts 2:42 ). In the church of Christ, our goal is not to

It’s easy to say we love people. It’s easy to feel love when things are going well. But biblical love is more than words and more than intention— love shows up. It steps into the mess. It takes time. It sacrifices comfort. It moves toward people instead of away from them. 1 John 3:16–18 says, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us… My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” That’s about as clear as it gets. Jes

In a world where you can find a different church on every street corner—each with its own name, its own set of rules, and its own unique "flavor"—it is easy to become overwhelmed. Many people have concluded that the church is simply a "human club" where like-minded people gather. But if we look into the pages of the New Testament, we find something far more profound. We find that Jesus Christ did not come to start a collection of competing denominations; He came to build His

One of the biggest misunderstandings in our world today is the idea that love and truth are enemies. Some people act like if you love someone, you’ll never challenge them. Others act like if you speak truth, you can’t be loving. But Scripture refuses to separate the two. Biblical love speaks truth—and biblical truth is spoken in love. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to be “speaking the truth in love.” That verse is simple, but it’s challenging. It means truth matters. It means love m

In a world overflowing with opinions, "influencers," and ever-changing social norms, where can a soul find a solid place to stand? If you walk into any ten churches in your town, you are likely to find ten different sets of rules, varying worship styles, and conflicting doctrines. This religious confusion leads many to ask: Who has the right to say what is true? For the churches of Christ ( Romans 16:16 ), the answer is simple, though it is increasingly radical in today’s cul

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to become a part of the church? It’s more than just joining a club or attending a weekend service; it’s about a beautiful, life-changing journey guided by God Himself. When we look to the Bible, we see a clear and encouraging pattern of how we can enter into a relationship with Him and find our place in His family. While these are often called the "steps to salvation," they are really milestones of a growing heart, reflecting the sam