by Michael Sterns | Sep 5, 2016 | Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, Practical Theology
“Let [the one] who cannot be alone beware of community… Let [the one] who is not in community beware of being alone… Each by itself has profound perils and pitfalls. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and...
by Michael Sterns | Aug 22, 2016 | Ethics
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you...
by Brad Blocksom | Aug 20, 2016 | Devotionals, Evangelicalism, Leadership, Practical Theology
Hebrews 7:16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. (ESV) The Levitical priesthood was based on institutionalism. The superior priesthood of Jesus is based on the...
by Able Baker | Aug 18, 2016 | Devotionals
Read “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength...
by Able Baker | Aug 18, 2016 | Devotionals, General
Read “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have...
by Michael Sterns | Jul 9, 2016 | Discipleship, Practical Theology
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” ― Abraham Kuyper God is sovereign. That’s something we’re all taught in Sunday School. Or maybe we’ve heard it...
by Able Baker | Jul 7, 2016 | Social Justice
I live in Hardin, Montana. That is a long way from the shooting incident that took place in Minnesota (not just in a geographical sense). When I read the reports and saw the video my heart was broken. It involved a routine traffic stop of a normal man driving a normal...
by Robby McAlpine | Jun 23, 2016 | Evangelicalism, Misrepresenting the Vineyard, Practical Theology, The Vineyard Movement
When you are a continuationist, one of the more bizarre realities that you have to wrestle with is that some of your harshest critics are other Christians. You know, your extended spiritual family. And as the saying goes: “You can pick your friends, but...
by Brad Blocksom | May 23, 2016 | Devotionals, Discipleship, Healing, Leadership, Messy Church, Practical Theology
Hebrews 5:2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. (ESV) As humans we are filled with weakness, tempted, sinful. Jesus experienced this same weakness and temptation – “yet without sin” (4:15). By...
by Able Baker | May 11, 2016 | Messy Church
I was talking with some friends this morning and it brought back a memory I had in Bible college. I remember my first few weeks at the school very well. I was just just beginning to experience what a community driven by the maintenance of rules, standards, and...
by Brad Blocksom | May 3, 2016 | Church Life, Devotionals, Evangelicalism, Practical Theology
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 …and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV) There is a great reunion coming that provides great reason for us to encourage one another. Twice in just a handful of verses Paul tells us...
by Robby McAlpine | May 2, 2016 | Practical Theology, Revival, The Vineyard Movement
“Revival.” Now, there’s a word that comes pre-loaded with all manner of mental images, assumptions, and expectations. To be “revived”, if we are going to be carefully specific, means that what was once alive, and then died, has been...
by Able Baker | Apr 25, 2016 | General, Practical Theology
Once a month or every two months I try to field a good question or comment given to me from the congregation I serve. Folks in our congregation place their questions or comments in the offering plate, give me a text or give me an email. After some consideration I...
by Robby McAlpine | Apr 16, 2016 | Ethics, Leadership, Practical Theology, Preaching, Revival
perchance, you have a desire to become better skilled in the art of manipulating people into accepting your own personal heresies, here’s a few insider tips: Ahem… *cough*cough* First and foremost, it’s vitally important to begin well; this is best...
by Michael Sterns | Apr 6, 2016 | Practical Theology
Psalm 133 opens by saying, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” Yes, how good it is when people gather together. This is one of my favorite aspects of the church in that we can all come from wherever we are (physically...
by Able Baker | Mar 25, 2016 | Leadership
So you are a pastor. If you are reading this article you have probably encountered members in your congregation who really struggle with alcohol. You are exhausted. Perhaps these people have become close friends and perhaps they have not. But one thing is for sure;...
by Brad Blocksom | Mar 22, 2016 | Evangelicalism, Politics
There has been a debate raging within Evangelicalism for some time time. Should we continue to self-identify as Evangelicals or has the term lost so much of its original meaning that we should abandon it and seek some new label for our movement. The issue stems from...
by Robby McAlpine | Mar 19, 2016 | Evangelicalism, Misrepresenting the Vineyard, Practical Theology, The Vineyard Movement
“Is this church going Kingdom Now?” She asked the question with a furrowed brow, mirroring the expression on her husband’s face as he hovered next to her. “Kingdom Now?” I replied. “Never heard of it. What do you mean?” She...
by Brad Blocksom | Mar 15, 2016 | Church Life, Evangelicalism, Evangelism, Homosexuality, Leadership, Messy Church, Practical Theology, The Vineyard Movement
I recently shared a post from Pastor Mike Turrigiano about his friendship with Lonnie Frisbee – a controversial figure from the early days of the Vineyard movement (and Calvary Chapel for that matter). For those who don’t know the history, Lonnie was known...
by Able Baker | Mar 7, 2016 | Evangelicalism
“What’s Down In The Well Comes Up In The Bucket!” my friend Kenny Burchard likes to say. If this is true Trump is an indication of the very heart of American evangelicalism. To me “The Donald” is a noisome pestilence. I’m frustrated because I...
