Category: church leaders

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These two excerpts, drawn from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, reflect the honor and importance of local pastoring. There’s much to be said about shepherd and sheep knowing each other. A clergyman cannot be high in state or fashion. He must not head mobs, or set the tone in dress. [Rather, he] has the charge of all that […]

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Walton is the last bus stop on Michigan Avenue before Lake Shore Drive. When the 147 stops at Walton, every northbound Chicagoan is already packed on that bus. And all twenty people waiting at Walton intend to get on board. When the door opens, the frenzy begins. But if you read the “Arrivals” sign on the bus shelter, you’ll see […]

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One Sunday my wife and I witnessed an act of courage. Our pastor, a man who loves his flock, trespassed with his text (Galatians 6:7-9). That is, he brought it inescapably to our attention. “Here, this is about you.” We walked home thoughtful. While I may have caught his point otherwise, I could not escape it thanks to […]

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Erik Peterson, a wise man and good friend, handed me this quote from Of God and Men, by A. W. Tozer. Although Tozer was writing about pastors, Erik adapted this excerpt to describe Christian publishers . . . The Church is God’s witness to each generation, and her publishers are her voice. Through them she becomes vocal. By […]

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Picture this. You’re reading through James and you spot this verse: My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins […]