Dr. Douglas Groothuis

As Paul wrote, for the church to “speak the truth in love,” it must be rooted in “the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:15; 4:13), and it must be wary of teachings or practices that can blow it off course through the dissimulations of false teachings. New Age philosophies are false teachings that Christians must resist so that the church can become the mature body of Christ that Christ himself desires.

Pastors must expose spiritual errors—even heresies—whether in the Church or in the world, especially when so much false teaching is prevalent in today’s culture.

Our relationship with God through prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian life, of following Jesus as Lord. Church leaders should pray publicly and privately and be quick to speak of the need for prayer, ready to relate answers to prayer, and lament the lack of prayer. It is also no sin for ministers to solicit prayer for themselves and their ministry to the church.

Our stand against abortion has not ended with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, churches should continue to stand for the dignity of pre-born human life.

Beyond Advent and Sunday worship and rest, pastors can lead congregations into a sense of sacred time by marking the seasons and events.

Church leaders can speak the truth in love about pornography and offer hope for repentance and restoration.

The pastorate is no easy job, but those who have faithfully followed the call of God into church ministry can be encouraged in several says.

It is also often said that we should shun discussions about religion and politics, since they are often contentious. Yet silence would exclude too many matters that concern both the church and the state.

Pastors and other church leaders should engage the issue of mass shootings biblically, logically, and factually. Things have gotten too terrible for them to be silent or uninvolved.

There is one hope that will not disappoint us, and this is the hope of our final redemption through Jesus Christ.

Many people in our churches are wondering how to address economic matters. Let’s consider facts, logic and scripture.

Since we live in a fallen world in which so many are set against God and the gospel of Christ, we will face discouragement and even demonic opposition in ministry, especially when we are about to embark on an important work. But that is no reason to fear Satan or to flag in our zeal to advance God’s Kingdom and to build up his church.

When we celebrate Mother’s Day, we should rejoice in the gift of motherhood, but also remember those who carry wounds related to motherhood (or the lack of it) in a broken world—infertility, unwanted singleness, single motherhood, adoption and abortion.

These are testing times for the church and church leaders—and for the whole world. But crises spark opportunities for adjustments and innovations.

While separation will soon come to an end, pastors and other church leaders can educate, nourish, encourage, and equip the members of their church during a season of the second best.

Pastors and church leaders make God their refuge and strength and thus rise to the occasion by marshaling practical and theologically-informed strategies in place for church life and by teaching the wisdom of Scripture concerning God’s faithfulness.

You don’t need a degree in philosophy to incorporate apologetics into sermons. A solid study of basic logic, worldviews and arguments for Christianity and against other viewpoints can fortify those in the church to have a winsome reason for their hope in Christ

Discouragement may come to the godliest and most talented of God’s ministers in the church. But as we remember to reflect on God’s good providence, His willingness to let us lament before Him, and how He has rescued his servants who sank deep into despair, we can find our moorings and press on to serve Him with gladness of heart.

Pastors are shepherds who need to teach their flocks how to protect themselves against wolves, both human and demonic.

Doubt is best worked through individually with trusted friends. If leaders confess doubts on major Christian doctrines, their congregations may lose confidence in their leadership, equate doubt with unbelief, or be thrown into an unnecessary crisis of faith themselves.

Christian leaders should encourage artists in their congregations to use their God-given talents to the uttermost, either as a full-time vocation or otherwise. These artists should not be considered second-class citizens in the church simply because they are not pastors, chaplains, church staff workers, employees at parachurch ministries or missionaries.

Every person in every pew needs to hear the Bible preached in ways that warm the heart and mobilize the mind.

How does the church stand for life in a hostile culture? Pastors and church leaders can be encouraged that the pro-life message is changing hearts around the world. All we have to do as leaders is open our mouths and speak of the issue with biblical insight and grace.

Technology can serve a good purpose in the local church. Pastors and church leaders need to think about the implications and level of technology they want to use when bringing their people into a closer relationship with God.

Is there a practical way to suffer well? Philosopher Dr. Douglas Groothuis teaches us the biblical language of lament which he describes as a heart cry before the face of God. He shows us a way through pain and suffering from a vantage point very few have.