New Light Apostolic Temple

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

Shut down the bus tours: What older church members should really be doing

So how do you engage older church attendees… say people over age 50? The question’s been around a long time. And, as most church leaders could tell you, it’s a bit of a loaded question. It’s also a question I’m...Read More→

Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins

Homosexuality is not the only sin prohibited in the Bible, but it is different from all the rest, at least right now. And we have really good news for homosexuals.

How to attract millennials to your church

How can your church help millennials see the value in church as a way to grow closer to God?

10 Reflections of a Healthy Church Member

Good Afternoon Church, What a great weekend it was celebrating with many of you God’s underserved grace lavished upon our lives in Christ. We have so much to be thankful for at BBC that God’s prais…

Why I’m Coming Out as a Christian

I’m not scared that non-believers will make me feel like an outcast. I’m scared that Christians will.

What alcoholics can teach churches

Daybreak Fellowship blends language of addiction recovery with Christian worship

Does your church still have an apostolic passion?

Is it just me, or does it seem like church leaders are always trying to get their congregation excited about something? Sometimes it is a new sermon series, or a new initiative. Often, it is a buil…

Is There An Apostolic Hermeneutic And Can We Imitate it?

Yes and yes. No, it’s not in the Scofield Reference or Ryrie Study Bibles. It seems that some of our dispensational friends have yet to read the memo. See this example sent to me a by a friend. Thi…

Whose problem is clergy burnout?

Training in healthy ministry for pastors—and congregations

Many questions remain in clergy abuse

How can these men of God believe they're doing God's will?

12 Things Clergy Spouses Want You to Know

What if the Church Was the Church?

What does it look like to be the salt of the earth? For one thing, it might look like Christians welcoming sinners and eating with them.

What if Churches Started Churches?

Good churches should add “church starting” to the list of ingredients that define their health.

Design for Clergy Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning needs to continue beyond the awarding of a degree. The CLL helps clergy pursue this goal without becoming perpetual students.

Seven Things the Church isn’t and what the church is.

As a pastor in the 20th century, a part of preparing sermons is coming up with the “phrase that pays.” Sometimes they stick, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I don’t even rem…

When Is a Church Not a Church?

The tax code allows for some strange political shenanigans.

Why Isn't My Church Like The Church In Acts?

It’s tempting to imagine that the early believers represented a golden era of the Church.

Why Millennials Are Valuable in the Church

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word millennial? Lazy? Commitment Issues? Entitlement? These are just a few of the major stereotypes that revolve around the millennial generation. But as a millennial myself, I can tell you that these aren’t always true when it comes to my generation. In

Tips to Prevent Church Embezzlement

Misappropriation of church funds (or embezzlement) is of the most concern for churches and nonprofits. Use these basic tips to prevent church embezzlement