Advent 2025, Week 1: Psalm 112, Part 4 When we are in dark, difficult situations, we are often self-focused, wallowing in our misfortune and hurt. It is not wrong to sit with our pain. In fact sitting in our pain is needed for a time. As I mentioned in the previous post, when we feelContinue reading “Ancient wisdom for the dark times in life”
Tag Archives: outreach
You likely can’t change America, but you can change how you live in your own community – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 3
Purple Church is just about the church. The question of the week, however, “How do we allow the love of Jesus to bring peace to America?” is talking about the wider society. Not just the church. And yet, the inclusion of “the love of Jesus” in the question narrows the answer primarily to Christians. Furthermore, myContinue reading “You likely can’t change America, but you can change how you live in your own community – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 3”
How to be an encourager – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 3
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. It can be easy to encourage someone who’s got it all going well. But what do we do when someone comes to us after they lose a job? Their relationship ends? AContinue reading “How to be an encourager – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 3”
Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Did you know that there is flowing movement of encouragement? At the end of 1 Thessalonians verse 10, Paul describes a flowing movement of encouragement. The movements starts with the Christians heContinue reading “Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2”
Is there a difference between discipleship and evangelism? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Preview
My church has changed the names of our committees numerous times. Currently we have a Leadership Team and Serve Teams. The reason for that is based in New Testament teaching about church leadership. The writers of the New Testament have lots to say about church leadership, and what they say pretty much boils down toContinue reading “Is there a difference between discipleship and evangelism? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Preview”
Only 1% of churches are very effective in outreach? – 1 Thessalonians 2 & 3, Preview
A recent article notes “Evangelism is on life support in most churches.” The article reports a poll in which only 1% of pastors surveyed say their church is very effective in sharing the Good News about Jesus. Here’s the data: Does this relate to your church? Maybe a little? I’ll let you answer that for yourself. AsContinue reading “Only 1% of churches are very effective in outreach? – 1 Thessalonians 2 & 3, Preview”
Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3
In Psalm 96, verses 2 and 3 instruct us to proclaim God’s salvation day after day. This is the same idea that is encapsulated in the word “evangelism,” which is about proclaiming Good News. The psalmist reminds us that we have Good News story to share, and in verse 3 he describes it as declaringContinue reading “Perspective in the middle of tough times – Psalm 96, Part 3”
We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5
Jesus responded to Peter’s three denials by with three restorations. Though Peter had committed a terrible offense to Jesus, Jesus does not see Peter as beyond help. Do you see what this means? You are not beyond God’s love and forgiveness. You are not beyond God’s redemption. You are loved and forgiven. God can redeemContinue reading “We are restored for mission – John 21, Part 5”
A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2
Jesus’ disciples have just had a terrible night of fishing, catching nothing. Then in the hazy hours of the morning a stranger shows up on shore. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”Continue reading “A second fishing miracle – John 21, Part 2”
Why Christians should not be separate from the world – John 17:6-26, Part 3
Some Christians throughout the centuries have wanted God to take them out of the world. Many Christians have attempted to separate themselves from the world. Some have felt that the world is evil, and we Christians need to be unpolluted by the world. But does the (potentially) healthy concern about being unpolluted require separation? I don’tContinue reading “Why Christians should not be separate from the world – John 17:6-26, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 