vertical and horizontal
Jean Vanier was an accomplished naval officer who had recently completed a PhD, and whose family oozed with prestige (his father had been the Governor General of Canada). Yet, living in the small French village of Trosly-Breuil, Vanier was alone and downhearted. His pastor encouraged him to invite two disabled men to live with him, and L’Arche (communities where disabled and those who Vanier calls “temporarily-abled” share friendship and life together) was born. Fifty years later, L’Arche communities exist around the world.
ministry without borders
I’ve been serving an inner-city church in an African- American neighborhood of a large US city. It’s not common for Korean pastors to serve in this type of cross-cultural context, and so I’ve been asked more than once what brought me to the church. My answer? “God!” I never planned on serving here, but it has become clear that it was indeed God who called me.
September 29, 2014
If you could do a specific type of ministry full-time, what would it be? Why?
June 8, 2014
Where in the world would you most like to minister for God, and why there?
you choose Q: how do i know what God's plan is for me the rest of my life?
Q: Since my husband went to be with the Lord (over 4 years ago), the "new normal" for me has not been that normal! I need to work to support myself, but I also have a great support system in our grown kids, even though I don't want to burden them—they have their own families. My question is this: How do…
reading Scripture, missing God
Some years ago, I had a sobering epiphany regarding my faith. After a decade of ministry, I realized that I didn’t really know God very well. Yes, I knew there was a God and that He was good and holy. I knew that Jesus had died for my sins. But did I really know God’s character well? His personality? Not very deeply.
January 6, 2014
How are you encouraged by what’s happening in your local church?
not being a “kidult”
In 2005, two teenagers started TheRebelution.com website to encourage fellow young people to exceed low expectations and to do “hard things.” Citing 1 Timothy 4:12, one of its founders said, “As young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. [But] our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility.”
not leaving
I am just 3 months into my elected role as youth deaconess in the local church that I attend, and I’ve already received three requests from people who want to step down from serving. A few have simply gone MIA (missing in action). So I feel like a general who’s trying to rally his army to fight a battle even as he’s losing his soldiers.
April 29, 2013
The book “When Helping Hurts” reveals that the wrong kind of “help” can actually hurt those who are in poverty. What are some positive ways for believers in Jesus to minister to the poor?
not mine to do
The idea was his, but he didn’t receive the credit. He drew the plans. He designed the furniture. He collected the materials. He made all the arrangements (1 Chronicles 22:1-6). But God didn’t respect David’s copyright. The first temple built in Jerusalem is known as Solomon’s temple.
King David’s desire to honor God is commendable, but the Lord said, “You…
you choose Q: how can I know God's guidance in ministering for Him?
Q: I’ve been struggling to find God’s guidance and also his direction in my life as far as ministry is concerned. –Kenneth
A: I’m excited that you want to serve Jesus. You’ve asked about how you can know where He wants you to serve.
As a believer in Jesus, you’re a vital part of the body of Christ. You’re given specific…
you choose Q: is it permissable for women to be pastors?
Q: Is it correct to have women as pastors? I thought the Bible says no—correct? —Karl
A: The main Scriptural evidence referred to by people who don’t believe that women should be pastors is 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:12. First Timothy 2:12 seems to place an especially strong limitation on the service of women in the church, “I permit…
May 21, 2012
What does your church do in effectively ministering to single young adults?
defended
The past several years have been a significant training ground in surrender. Confronted with the truth of God’s Word, my husband and I realized that much of the way we had been doing ministry previously did not reflect the call to discipleship so resonant throughout all of Scripture. Our hearts ablaze with passion and zeal, we put our plows to…
