CRITICAL QUESTIONS 2: What’s Right? What’s Wrong?

In 1841, the passenger ship William Brown struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. As the ship sank, two lifeboats were put in to the sea and a few of the passengers were able to escape the sinking ship on these lifeboats. One of the small lifeboats carried the first mate, seven seamen and 32… Continue reading CRITICAL QUESTIONS 2: What’s Right? What’s Wrong?

CRITICAL QUESTIONS 1: What’s Really Worthwhile?

A few years ago, a woman in Oklahoma wanted a dog. When she found the dog she wanted, the dog’s owner wanted $200 for the dog. She could not afford the $200 and so exchanged her baby for the dog. She said, “The $200 dog is worth more to me than my baby.” She felt… Continue reading CRITICAL QUESTIONS 1: What’s Really Worthwhile?

Seven Things I’ve Learned About Ministry

I am at the age now when I’m old enough to have experienced a lot, but still young enough to profit from what I’ve learned. There were many things I didn’t know when I started out in ministry. Some things I knew in my head but hadn’t experienced. If I had really known these things,… Continue reading Seven Things I’ve Learned About Ministry

How to give the gospel to a friend

This article first appeared in Decision, the magazine of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They caught my attention during the Sunday morning service. Though I’d never seen them before, their attentiveness indicated their interest in spiritual things. When we met in the foyer after the service, they had many questions and seemed eager to talk,… Continue reading How to give the gospel to a friend

PHILIP THE DEACON – 4: Sharing the Faith with a Seeker

The people who need the gospel are an mixed lot. Some are antagonistic to the gospel. Some are cynical and their views have been tainted by experiences with tactless Christians. Some think they know what the gospel is all about but really are clueless about spiritual truth. And then there are others who are open,… Continue reading PHILIP THE DEACON – 4: Sharing the Faith with a Seeker

PHILIP THE DEACON – 3: Discovering Divine Direction

When our family returned from Kenya where we’d been missionaries, I sensed the Lord leading us into pastoral work after 11 years of missions. One day, I received phone calls from two churches, each inviting me to pastor their congregations. The two situations were quite different and I was confused as to what I should… Continue reading PHILIP THE DEACON – 3: Discovering Divine Direction

PHILIP THE DEACON – 2: Let Your Ministry Grow

Gary was a brand new Christian when I became the pastor of a church in Montreal, Canada. He was a university graduate and was doing very well in his company. Gary and I connected and we became good friends. We both liked sailing and enjoyed playing racquetball together. Eventually, I was the one who suggested… Continue reading PHILIP THE DEACON – 2: Let Your Ministry Grow

PHILIP THE DEACON – 1: Problems Bring Possibilities

The other day a businessman told me his problem. He was a victim of his own success. The company he had started faces a crisis. It is now so big that he can’t manage it by himself. It’s a good problem, but a problem just the same. He faces some tough choices. He can continue… Continue reading PHILIP THE DEACON – 1: Problems Bring Possibilities