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
The United States is a land of immigrants. If you ask most people, they have some knowledge of their “immigrant” past. Close to 15% of the residents in big cities weren’t born in US; imagine if you take their children and grand children into consideration? Most families, in one way or another, have some connection to immigration. That said, when most immigrants come, they start … Continue reading Slavic Pastors planting English-speaking churches in US
This is a great post written by Dave Harvey, posted here. I wanted to share it with my readers, especially with those who preach or hope to start to preach. If you preach regularly, you know that the moments and hours after preaching a sermon are really unique and can be very dangerous; only a preacher can understand. Preachers, take note. The conclusion of … Continue reading What To Do After You Preach
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”
Having been born in the Soviet Union, a nation deeply atheistic and anti-Christian in its very core, all believers were the laughing stock of society. I was blessed with a grandpa who was a pastor and served years in Soviet camps for his faith in Jesus. Christians were not allowed to get an education, hold high-positions in community, gather, nor teach their Children about faith. … Continue reading Can a Christian be a police officer?
I use Social Media a lot. I believe it is one of the greatest tools available today for individuals and churches to communicate, inform and influence people. I do not believe Social Media is a sin; I actually think its probably unwise to not be utilizing social media for ministry. I also have a track record of getting other ministers to use Facebook and Twitter. … Continue reading 11 Daring Questions to Ask Yourself about Social Media Use
Porn is a REAL struggle for many. Men & Women. Here is a great article I came across, written by Jason George. If you have any temptation to look at porn, read these 33 reasons. It shall be of great help. 33 reasons why I need to abstain from porn For the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31 I’m commanded by God to live … Continue reading 33 Reasons to Abstain from Porn
Title: The Meaning of Marriage Author: Timothy Keller Topic: Marriage One of the best marriage books I have read and will recommend is “The Meaning of Marriage” by Tim Keller. In this book, author Timothy Keller frankly lets people know marriages built on “self-fulfillment” will not last, rather, marriages need to be built on self-denial & sacrifice. Some small points from the book: * Vows … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
All marriages, including marriages of Christian couples, are never perfect and need a lot of work to make them work. Getting married will neither make you “complete” nor “whole.” The only thing that makes us complete and whole is our relationship w/ Jesus Christ. Choosing your marriage partner should never be based on the feelings of “love” alone. Feelings of love are the result of … Continue reading 5 Questions to ask, before dating someone
City On A Hill hosted Dr. Roger Olson, author of many books (including Against Calvinism, and Arminian Theology: Myth and Realities) and professor at Baylor University (George W. Truett Theological Seminary). In this video, Dr. Olson answers many questions related to Arminian theology and Calvinism, how these 2 compare, and how they differ. Part 2 of this FORUM can be viewed here (http://vimeo.com/62474379) http://vimeo.com/62468956 Continue reading FORUM on Calvinism and Arminianism with Dr. Roger Olson (Part 1)
City On A Hill hosted Dr. Roger Olson, author of many books (including Against Calvinism, and Arminian Theology: Myth and Realities) and professor at Baylor University (George W. Truett Theological Seminary). In this video, Dr. Olson answers some of the questions from the audience, that were not asked in part 1. Watch part 1 here: http://vimeo.com/62468956) http://vimeo.com/62474379 Continue reading FORUM on Calvinism and Arminianism with Dr. Roger Olson, Part 2
I love being a dad. Continue reading Dad life.
Why plant a new church? I’m part of a team that is planting a new church in the diverse Northwest culture with a purpose to reach and impact the local community . Many have asked why. For my senior paper in college, I wrote a 50 page paper on the effectiveness and need of church planting. I have taken some small parts out of that paper, to … Continue reading Why Church Planting?
Backstage Conversations 