It has become a fairly common experience of contemporary life, saturated as it is by devices that are tracking us, to say something in a conversation and within hours or days receive advertising about that very topic. How often do you think about the fact that people are watching you? I’m not talking about governmentContinue reading “People are watching how you work – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 2”
Tag Archives: accountability
What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview
What do people say about you behind your back? You might answer, “I don’t know, because whatever they are saying, they are keeping it hidden from me. That is the definition of ‘behind your back’.” Okay, I’ll grant you that. But I won’t let you off the hook that easy. I suspect that most ofContinue reading “What do people say about you behind your back? – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Preview”
Are you trying to hide something from God? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 5
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. In the dramatic story ofContinue reading “Are you trying to hide something from God? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 5”
Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1
Microsoft has the Guinness World Record for the quietest room. It is located at their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It is so quiet that people are said to only be able to stand a few hours in it. They first hear their heart beating. Eventually they can hear their blood flowing and bones moving. Eerie.Continue reading “Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1”
Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4”
A powerful question for church families – Caring for one another, Part 3
My wife and I recently watched the television series, New Amsterdam. It’s about a public hospital in New York City. The main character Max Goodwin is the medical director, and he asks a question repeatedly in nearly every episode of the series. (He might ask it in every episode! I didn’t keep track.). His question, which I’ll revealContinue reading “A powerful question for church families – Caring for one another, Part 3”
How accountability supercharges our discipleship to Jesus – Holding others accountable, Part 5
I first experienced accountability with my friend Chris. We met in the dorm in college, where he was my RA, resident assistant, in charge of my dorm section my sophomore year. We started meeting weekly to ask each other accountability questions. We wrote out lists of questions we wanted the other person to ask us,Continue reading “How accountability supercharges our discipleship to Jesus – Holding others accountable, Part 5”
The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4
I hate confrontation. I think most people also hate confrontation. When I have to confront someone, I can delay and avoid like a champ. Then when I can wait no longer, and the confrontation actually happens, I can say far less than I ought to have said. My emotions and fears take over. I can physically shake. I hate it. But ifContinue reading “The Bible’s helpful teachings about confronting others – Holding others accountable, Part 4”
When we can and should judge in a church family – Holding others accountable, Part 3
In 2013 my congregation’s leaders proposed a significant change to who could become leaders in the church. Prior to 2013, we had a system where, at our annual congregational meeting, people were voted onto our various serve teams. Then at the beginning of the year, at the first serve team meeting, the members of theContinue reading “When we can and should judge in a church family – Holding others accountable, Part 3”
How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2
Over the years in my church family, people have raised the concern about Jesus’ teaching, “Do not judge” on more than one occasion. “Who are we to judge one another,” people say. It sounds very spiritual. But I think they are interpreting Jesus incorrectly. The first occasion people raised the concern about judging was probably 20Continue reading “How judging killed a discipleship effort in the local church – Holding others accountable, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 