Where Scars Become Stars

Archaeologists digging in the remains of a school for imperial pages in Rome found a third century picture of a boy standing, his hand raised, worshiping a figure on a cross. At first glance, the figure looks like a man; but if you raise your eyes a bit, you see this man has the head of a donkey. Scrawled underneath in the writing of a young person are the words, "Alexamenos worships his God."

Exploring Caesarea National Park

During the Spring 2010 Press Junket to Israel, hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the first full day began at Caesarea National Park. This is Caesarea Maritima located on the Mediterranean shore, not the inland Caesarea Philippi. A full day could be spent here visiting the Roman-styled theater and hippodrome, studying the antiquities, snorkeling in the bay, dining and more.

Israel: Experience the Wonder

In March 2010, a 12-member team representing various evangelical media outlets was hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism for a week-long tour of the country, its sites and the hospitality for which Israel is known. A week wasn't nearly long enough. We each vowed we'd back again. And again.

Exegete Your Community

In a recent article for Pastors.com, Ed Stetzer points out that it's not enough simply to try to reproduce a previous church model from another setting. We have to study our own communities in order to minister most effectively.

ABCs of Alzheimer’s Ministry

Have you ever wanted to help a person who has Alzheimer's disease but didn't know what to do? The next time you are faced with this dilemma, let the following suggestions come to your rescue. Some of these acts can be performed by individuals, whereas other recommendations are undertaken appropriately as projects by Sunday School classes, youth groups or mission organizations.

The Challenge of Pluralism

In his latest (and final) book The Radical Disciple (IVP), John Stott talks about contemporary trends that challenge Christian discipleship. One of those is pluralism:

The Agony of Preaching

In a recent article for SermonCentral, Joe Stowell wrote: "I am haunted by the words of my professor and mentor Howard Hendricks, who warned me that one of the worst sins is boring people with the Bible. It is certainly challenging to convince 'what-have-you-done-for-me-lately' church members that what I am about to say is more important than what they would like to think about for the next 40 minutes.

Preparing Sermons that Deliver

You are called to a daunting mission. Who has called you? What is the intimidating task at hand? God has called you to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Paul, the great apostle, missionary and preacher asked the Corinthians a revealing question in 2 Corinthians 2:16 concerning this inconceivable task: "Who is sufficient for these things?"

The Most Important Thing I Learned after a Decade of Preaching

It was the winter of 2003 and I was attending Dallas Theological Seminary working on a doctorate with an emphasis upon preaching. After 12years of full-time pulpit ministry and having won a preaching award the prior year at the Capital Bible Seminary, I thought I knew preaching pretty well. However, what I was about to learn under the tutelage of Dr. Timothy S. Warren would dramatically influence my preaching forever.