Tag: church

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The Pastor’s Struggle: 4 tough yet important responsibilities

Every career choice will have its benefits, and its hardships. And though some careers are more stressful than others, every person will face stress at their jobs. From time to time, I reflect on my choice of being in full time ministry, its benefits and its struggles. When asked what is the toughest part of being a pastor, by far, it is learning to balance … Continue reading The Pastor’s Struggle: 4 tough yet important responsibilities

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10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Pastor Right After the Sermon

Preparing a sermon is a lot of work. For me, 10 to 20 hours on the average, plus the hours of contemplating, praying, & thinking. And, every preacher will agree, some sermons work out well, and some sermons don’t go as planned at all! If there is anything I am most self-critical about, it is my sermons. If I know that the sermon did not … Continue reading 10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Pastor Right After the Sermon

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An Apology from a Pastor

Recently, Tanya Feygin’s article, “Russian Culture and The Christian Church” went viral in the Slavic Christian community, with close to 4,000 Facebook shares, thousands of views, and a lot of chatter & comments. After reading the article, I countered with a response, posted HERE. Since my first post, Ive had the opportunity to privately connect with Tanya Feygin, and have spent some time reading other … Continue reading An Apology from a Pastor

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Response to “Russian Culture and The Christian Church”

Recently, Tanya Feygin’s article, “Russian Culture and The Christian Church” went viral in the Slavic Christian community. As I read it, bitter-sweet thoughts filled my mind. And when I was done, only bitterness remained. I am always deeply saddened by any blatant misrepresentation of any Christian community including the Slavic community. I have not met Tanya Feygin, but if I may, would like to answer … Continue reading Response to “Russian Culture and The Christian Church”

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20 Ways to be Refreshing in the Local Church

The Gospel Coalition recently had a blog by Jason Helopoulos on “20 Ways to be Refreshing in the Local Church.” The content is very relevant to any person and local church, and I wanted to share it with my readers. For full article, go here. There are few epitaphs I would rather have engraved on my tombstone than Paul’s words of commendation to Philemon, “the … Continue reading 20 Ways to be Refreshing in the Local Church

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Seven Warnings For Church Leaders Who Use Social Media

Recently, Thom Rainer, one of my favorite bloggers, wrote this article on Seven Warnings for Church Leaders Who Use Social Media. With Social Media being so prominent in our society, it is great to see it used for good purposes. But often it is misused, and sadly, even by church leaders. Discussions that should take place in private rooms, according to “Matthew 18,” are often now … Continue reading Seven Warnings For Church Leaders Who Use Social Media

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8 Silly Reasons that Stop Churches from Starting to Use Social Media

Steve Fog recently posted a blog, titled, “7 Silly Barriers that Stop Churches from Adopting Social Media.” I believe the content of this blog is relevant, especially for those with very traditional roots. Do people around you use some of these excuses? Im reminded of a “prophecy” in one Slavic church to stop using Social Media, and that God would punish those who don’t. This blog would … Continue reading 8 Silly Reasons that Stop Churches from Starting to Use Social Media

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10 Things Pastors Hate To Admit Publicly

Recently, @pastorboz posted an article on the 10 Things Pastors Hate to Admit Publicly. The article was great, painful, and truthful, and therefore, I wanted to share it with my readers. Please pray for your pastor daily. He needs it.  Here are the 10 things: #1. We Take It Personally When You Leave The Church. It’s just a straight up fact. We pastors eat, drink … Continue reading 10 Things Pastors Hate To Admit Publicly

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Are you Knowingly Investing into a Financial Scam or Pyramid Scheme?

As I write this blog, I am deeply concerned about an investment scam that has penetrated the Slavic community in our state. Though some are unaware that the company is just that – a scam, many investors have already come to the realization that it is a scam, but, continue to “promote” it, in hopes of at least getting their initial investment returned. Anytime a … Continue reading Are you Knowingly Investing into a Financial Scam or Pyramid Scheme?

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A Call to Reform a “Culture of Guest Preachers” in the Slavic Church

DISCLAIMER #1: This post is not against missionaries, nor against any one preacher that has visited or spoke at any Slavic church. Most of these “guest preachers” are people who fear God, are called by God, and are doing the Lord’s work all over the world. Many of them do genuinely need financial assistance, and treat every donation with outmost integrity. DISCLAIMER #2: Many of … Continue reading A Call to Reform a “Culture of Guest Preachers” in the Slavic Church

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10 Things Church Volunteers Wished Their Pastor Knew About Them

This is a fantastic article, originally posted at pastors.com here, written by Brian K. Dodd. I think every pastor needs to hear and internalize this. _____________ What are the volunteers serving in your church thinking?  What are their hopes, dreams, and needs?  During the last 26 years, I have had to privilege of serving on two church staffs but the vast majority of my time has been … Continue reading 10 Things Church Volunteers Wished Their Pastor Knew About Them

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5 Directions to Look during communion

Communion is a special time dedicated to remember Lord’s sacrifice. It cannot be done hastily. As a matter of fact, I believe there are 5 directions we need to look, as we approach the table of communion and partake in the bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:23-32, 1 Cor 10:16-17). 5 Directions we look during communion: 1. WE LOOK … Continue reading 5 Directions to Look during communion

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Book Recommendations

Book Recommendations on issue of Calvinism/Arminianism: Against Calvinism & Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities

Titles: Against Calvinism & Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities Author: Roger Olson Topic: Calvinism, Arminianism It is clearly evident that Reformed Theology is in. And not just in Seattle, where Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill call home. Throughout the nation, seminaries, denominations, and the blogosphere is full of the “Young, Restless and Reformed,” willing to stop and correct anyone who does not proclaim the Gospel … Continue reading Book Recommendations on issue of Calvinism/Arminianism: Against Calvinism & Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities

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Not everyone is happy on Mother’s Day at Church

If you were to ask everyone in the congregation who was born from a mother to stand up – everyone would stand. We all have or had mothers. Someone like me – I consider my mother to be the best mother in the world. But, to assume that every person in the church has fond memories of their mothers, or that “Mother’s Day” is the … Continue reading Not everyone is happy on Mother’s Day at Church

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Blog, Book Recommendations

Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Title: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Author: Donald S Whitney Subject: Spiritual Growth Some books and some movies are only watched once. This book has been one of the few books that I pick up every other year, and re-read it. It is so simple, easily presented, yet so powerful and necessary. SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE BOOK: How do we pursue Holiness and become … Continue reading Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

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Is using contraceptives a sin? What are the different “Birth Control” methods?

THIS BLOG IS FOR MATURE AUDIENCE ONLY Can we “plan” to have only 4 kids and not 10? Is family planning, using contraceptives sinful? Is a woman saved through child-bearing? The questions of family planning are certainly controversial. This blog will be controversial, because there are many strong-held beliefs, and those beliefs differ. Nevertheless, I’ve decided to write about this openly, due to much misinformation, … Continue reading Is using contraceptives a sin? What are the different “Birth Control” methods?

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The Christian’s approach to homosexual marriage

The issue of homosexuality has been front cover news for several years now. Many liberals have equaled the rights of homosexuals to get married w/ the great civil rights movement. On the other hand, many Christians are ready to take arms and literally fight so that the government does not give homosexuals the right to get married legally, as if a prohibition against homosexual’s right … Continue reading The Christian’s approach to homosexual marriage

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Hospital Visitation guidelines for pastors and leaders

As a church, we are developing a guideline for our leaders, when they visit a hospital. Many of these suggestions were taken from several publications, and its a working document. Any suggestions, as we finalize this?      HOSPITAL VISITATION GUIDELINE When we think of ministry, we often think of the words of Jesus in the Great Commission, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus, … Continue reading Hospital Visitation guidelines for pastors and leaders

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Church Admin

Tips on purchaing translation equipment for church

We often get calls to City On A Hill office, asking what system we use for our translation services. Instead of answering all calls in details, here is the info. If you are looking to buy a system to use for translation, read this blog, it will help you even if you don’t go with the same system we went with. First of all, the … Continue reading Tips on purchaing translation equipment for church

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coming revival, or gloom and doom

Coming revival or will things get worse?Recently, I have begun to look into scriptures, to find out what we, the church, will face, in the coming days. Some, especially in the church, proclaim that we are living in the worst of times, and it’s only going to get worse. Others believe the whole world is going to be saved. So whats really going to happen?Let … Continue reading coming revival, or gloom and doom

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