Sitting at ‘our beach’ (the rocky beach in walking distance from our house) I was looking out at the beauty of the day and listening to the kids play and every now and then reading a few paragraphs from a book. As I was sitting there and meditating a little bit, the thought came to…
There are many aspects to pastoral ministry. All aspects are of equal importance. Put together and working in harmony with one another, each aspect creates a complete pastoral ministry. I’d like to take some time to examine each of the following aspects of pastoral ministry: shepherding, teaching, oversight, and evangelizing. The first aspect to consider…
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past were not a peoples, but now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but…
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, behold I lay in…
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” – 1 Peter 2:1-3 _____________________________________________________________________________________ “In the sixteenth century, Martin Luther strengthened the…
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is…
There are many thoughts and ideas concerning what makes a healthy church. It is important that the church seeks sustained health rather than extreme growth spurts. Let me explain. Considering numbers is important. The main reason to consider numbers is that every number represents a soul. Therefore, it is important to work to increase the…
“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with…
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy,…
In John 13:15 we read, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” The example that Jesus set for His disciples was one of servitude. I believe that Jesus was implying here that they should follow His example not just in one area but in all…
Pastor Chris Noland 