Worthless leaders are sadly not new phenomenon. In South Africa, we know all too well how leadership failure can devastate communities. When leaders exploit instead of serve, ordinary people suffer. Sadly, this is also true in the church. So-called Christian leaders can be self-serving, greedy, and lazy, using their power not for the good of… Continue reading Fleecing the Flock: When Shepherds Become Wolves
Fruit That Lasts: Breaking Free from Ineffectiveness
Abraham Maslow, one of the most influential psychologists of the twentieth century, estimated that only 2% of people reach their full potential. In other words, 98% of people live – to some degree or another – unfulfilled, unproductive and ineffective lives. We instinctively know that this sobering fact is true. As human beings, we are… Continue reading Fruit That Lasts: Breaking Free from Ineffectiveness
Nailed It: Luther’s Stand That Reformed the Church
Have you ever wondered: Am I good enough for God? Have I done enough to please God? Are my prayers sincere enough? Is God happy with me? What about my sin? Is God angry with me? Five hundred years ago, these questions plagued Martin Luther and, in God’s providence, led to the Protestant Reformation. On… Continue reading Nailed It: Luther’s Stand That Reformed the Church
The Upside-Down Gospel of Love
The gospel of Christ is very counter-cultural and calls for counter-cultural living. The hallmark of Christian living is love, and love is exactly what is lacking in our world today. When the Apostle wrote to the Christians in Colossae, he did not thank God for their humility, giftedness, or evangelistic zeal, but thanked God for… Continue reading The Upside-Down Gospel of Love
A Christian’s Guide to Cult-Proof Faith
The second half of the Homily on the Christian’s good works warns of the bad works of false religion. Thomas Cranmer, the author of this fiery sermon, warns the congregations to beware of the bad work of elevating human tradition and man-made rules above God’s word. The sermon must have caused quite a stir as… Continue reading A Christian’s Guide to Cult-Proof Faith