Proper 25 Ministry Readiness

I remember that as I was growing up, my parents went deer hunting each fall at Sportsman's Haven, leaving my brother and me at home. Hearing about the hunting lodge and cabins always seemed so exciting. Then one summer, Dad said we were taking a family vacation there. On the trip we frequently asked, "Are we there yet?" Finally we turned onto a dirt road, and Dad announced, "It's at the end of the road." What excitement! Similarly, Paul reached the end of his road. As he did, he encouraged his friend Timothy with two key truths about ministry readiness.

Proper 24 Preaching God’s Word

The American Psychological Association Manual is the format for writers within the social sciences. It instructs authors that when citing a source, always put the date of publication immediately following the source's name. The premise is that the most recent documents are the most important. However, some old sources maintain credible (i.e., the Bible reigns supreme). Paul knew that and encouraged Timothy to remember this foundational truth. Paul reminded him of two critical principles in ministry related to God's Word. We Must Persist in God's Word (3:14-17). We need to remember what to do and why to do it.

Don’t Quit!

Exodus 6:1-9 At the first Pastors Conference my wife and I attended was in 1969 and the speaker was Dr. Howard Sugden, pastor of South Baptist Church in Lansing, MI from 1954-1991, his entire ministry. During one of the question and answer times at the conference, he was asked...