Should we be very honest with dementia sufferers in the name of truth, even if the facts will hurt if not devastate them? Or should we lie, to keep them blissfully unaware? This article explains how neither option seems to wholly show love for our neighbour, and that the gospel offers a different approach. It explains what it means in these contexts to speak the truth in love, to show respect and compassion to those suffering.
This article offers some general insights and principles for providing care for people in crisis, and when the critical needs of members become chronic.
In this article, the author underlines how wrong it is to shift responsibility for sexual assault from the perpetrator to the victim, and holds out the hope of the gospel to restore those who have been victimized.
This article presents a purely statistical picture of the prevalence of violence committed by an intimate partner, and the effects endured by those experience domestic violence.
The author identifies some common mistakes that we make in the church in dealing with domestic violence, and then offers six things that we must do in order to fight against domestic violence in the church.
Cornell provides some helpful insights into the behaviour and the characteristics of abusers.
This article provides a balanced perspective on the believer’s struggle with doubt, and offers biblical advice to encourage endurance in faith.
This article provides biblical instruction for who are struggling to forgive and be reconciled to those who have hurt them deeply.
Reconciliation is not automatically accomplished when a hurtful action or behaviour has been forgiven. This article shows that it is legitimate for those who have been hurt to indicate that time is needed before they and/or the offender are ready for reconciliation, or, that they need advice before moving forward to reconciliation.
This article offers basic biblical direction for Christians involved in conflict, based on Paul’s admonitions in Philippians 4:2-9.
The author helps to clarify the important difference between the pain relief measures offered in palliative care and assisted suicide.
The author draws on Scripture and personal experience to encourage those who are suicidal to give heed to the gospel.
This article provides a helpful discussion on the relationship between suicide and perseverance of believers. The author uses Scripture to illumine his thoughts.
This article identifies six principles that provide guidance for pastors and elders in deciding when it is appropriate to share confidential information with their wives.
The author describes the "loneliness epidemic" and its consequences for human health. He prescribes intentional Christian community, a fruit of the gospel, as an effective response to loneliness.
The author speaks as one who struggles with depression, and offers helpful insights and advice to fellow believers as to how to respond well in support of brothers and sisters who suffer with depression.
This article gives insight into the suffering of those with mental illness, identifies some of the kinds of “miserable comfort” believers sometimes offer those with mental illness, and lays out the hope of the gospel as it speaks to people experiencing mental disorder.
This article provides balanced and biblical reflections on conditions that are referred to as mental illnesses.
How does one minister to teenagers in a way that is fruitful? This article presents five essential tools for teenage ministry.
How does the gospel shape Christian leadership? This article explains eight aspects of gospel-centred leadership.
Christian leadership is related to who God is. Here are eight questions to consider for how leadership should reveal the character of God.
How should a pastor approach his vacation and preaching schedule? Should a pastor rest from preaching? There are reasons why there must a vacation for the pastor, and this article explains those reasons.
Congregational prayer is part of the church's worship. How can you prepare for public prayer? This article gives thirteen tips for leading a congregation in prayer.
Is it possible to have a consistory meeting that has its focus is the glory of God? This article offers three important things to consider if the elders are to have a good meeting.
Why do pastors quit? Conflict, discouragement, suffering, burnout, cares of the world, loneliness, and moral failure are the reasons for leaving the ministry. This article not only explains them, but also gives encouragement to young pastors and aspiring seminarians.
When leaving a church, what are the things a pastor should do? Talk with your fellow leaders, be open to counsel and correction, resolve conflicts, plan your transition and succession, and express your appreciation.
What does it take to build a fruitful ministry as a pastor? The keys to a fruitful pastoral ministry are spiritual formation, self-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, quality marriage and family life, and leadership and management.
Have you ever as a pastor led a funeral service of an unbeliever? Should pastors do that? This article shares some insights on leading such a service.
Pastoring people to their death is an experience every pastor will go through. How should the reality of death shape your pastoral ministry? This article shares four implications.
One of the challenges for most pastors is to conduct a funeral service for someone you do not know. How do you do that? This article offers seven tips for conducting such a funeral service.
You cannot pastor your church well if you are not pastoring your family well. Pastoring your family is the first thing expected from you as a pastor. This article suggests six ways you can do this.
Should a pastor share the issues of the church with his wife? If so, how much? This article answers this question from the perspectives of both a pastor's and a pastor's wife. It seeks to clarify what it means to keep confidentiality as a pastor.
As a pastor, you are expected to shepherd first your family, then the church. This article shares practical ways for shepherding children.
Prayer meetings are part of the life of the church. However, often many prayer meetings fail. Why? This article gives seven reasons.
Sometimes believers feel disappointed by the church. How do you help them deal with disappointment in the church? This article offers seven questions they can ask to deal with their disappointment.
At times people can be disappointed in you as a pastor or an elder. How do you deal with disappointment in the church when you are criticized? This article gives seven questions you can ask to help you deal with disappointment.
You may know a pastor who moved out of the ministry because of sexual sin. Can it happen to you? This article gives seven steps to avoid sexual sin.
How does lying lead to more lying? This article lays out seven degrees of descent on the staircase of dishonesty.
What the church historically has deemed to be essential for the nurturing of the church, is today neglected. What could that be? This article answers this question by pointing to catechesis.
Although holding an evening service is not mentioned directly in scripture, it is still a good and recommended practice for keeping the Lord's Day. This article gives reasons why Christians should attend or initiate the second service.
