Like a lot of Christians, I have a complicated relationship with the reality of spiritual warfare. If I label a trial or struggle as such, isn’t that a little presumptuous?
“As time passed, I began to see God changing the mindset of our people,” Louisiana pastor says. “They began to see debt not as this mountain to climb but as a means through which God revealed Himself. We realized God had this.”
“When I learned about PAVE, I decided to go learn more. I refused to pull the plug on [Saint Luke],” said one San Antonio pastor. “It was like CPR to revive us. The program, for me, has been a godsend.”
It’s that time of year when many people are buying special gifts to thank those that have helped them throughout the year like their mail carrier, hairdresser, or child’s teacher. And many also consider a special gift for their pastor.
Christmas Eve lands on a Sunday this year. I understand the temptation to scale back, but the reality is this year may be one of the biggest ministry opportunities you have for several years to come.
Americans have been abandoning organized religion in droves and while some have walked away from religion altogether, a distinct group of Americans now call themselves “spiritual but not religious.”
John Arthur, pastor at Eureka First Baptist Church near Aiken, South Carolina, will pass the six-decade mark Jan. 1 — and he still preaches every Sunday.