Jesus models a perfect balance of authority and judgment with compassion and winsomeness. In the Palm Sunday narrative, just after Jesus arrived at the Temple, he flipped tables and rebuked merchants for creating a market in a house of prayer (Matt. 21:1-17). Jesus announced, “It is written” to...
The U. S. Supreme Court will consider a California case this week with profound ramifications related to free speech – more specifically “compelled speech.” The case is about a California law requiring pregnancy care centers (which are established for the purpose of preventing abortions) to post...
Demographics are destiny. Well, maybe not completely, but it is hard to buck entrenched demographic trends. Gateway Seminary is currently in the early phases of a major effort to determine key aspects of our ministry through 2030. While we are clear about our mission, we are equally clear about...
In the aftermath of Billy Graham’s death, cultural commentators have written about Graham’s ability to unify Christians in contrast to the current climate of disunity. Graham did an amazing job of reaching across theological and political lines – in his era. Unfortunately, the moral and ethical...
One of the interesting benefits of my job is getting to be in a different church almost every Sunday. Most of the time I am speaking, but at other times I visit churches to encourage pastors and extend the seminary’s influence to new communities. My church visits continually remind me how...
He never wavered from emphasizing the gospel – in its simplicity and beauty – no matter the pressures, criticisms, or distractions. His primary legacy is millions of people who are Christians because of his faithful witness. His leadership example of statesmanship with integrity is also part of...
Ali Raisman, Olympic gymnast and victim in the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal, recently posed for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue – without the swimsuit. Some have called her out for a contradiction between her blistering confrontation of Nassar’s immoral behavior and her own moral...
A recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics reveals life expectancy in the United States – for both men and women – peaked in 2012 and has been declining ever since. The primary contributing factors are drugs, alcohol, and suicide. Substance abuse and suicide have increased at...
Sexual harassment, abuse, and perversity by ministry leaders is a painful reality. It’s hard to demand others in our culture to maintain moral standards when ministry leaders fail to do so. Moral authority is forfeited by hypocritical ministry leaders who demand from others what they are not...
The American church has never been more analyzed and categorized, with predictions galore about where it’s headed, what it’s becoming, how it needs to change, and whether it is growing, plateaued, or declining. It’s easy to get lost in all this and decide the health of our local church more...