As the Lord tarries, we are faced with an ever-increasing number of aging ministers. One in four ministers licensed with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPC) are age 65 or older. My grandfather used to remark, “These golden years are not what they are cracked up to be.” As ministers age, their income becomes more…
Jesus gave the great commission to the church as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” Obviously to accomplish this command…
Closets across the land are filled with favorite shirts that we just can’t bring ourselves to throw away, regardless of how faded or worn they may be. Mine is a t-shirt that promoted an Arkansas District youth camp theme, “You’ve Been Served,” circa 2006. That shirt has served me well for over 17 years, pun…
The concepts of stewardship extend far beyond finances. Anything God has placed in your life should be stewarded, or managed, in such a way as to honor God. The long list of God’s blessings to be stewarded can include time, talents, treasures, ministries, homes, friendships, our bodies, and even our families. When it comes to…
We know what love is from the greatest example “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16(KJV). God loved us so much, he “GAVE” himself for us to have everlasting life. The Apostle John records, “But…
The well-being of a church is often gauged by the culture of prayer, worship, discipleship, engagement, and spiritual growth of its members. While these are essential to a church’s well-being, it is wise to look beyond the platform and pew when determining the overall health of a church. The function of administration, namely, the management…
If we really believe in a billion-soul revival, we must ask the Lord what methods He intends for us to use to see this come to pass. What we have collectively done through Christ has brought us this far, but what unprecedented methods have we not attempted in our efforts to spread His gospel? Grant…
FINALLY! The moment we had been waiting for and praying about for years was finally happening. God had spoken promises that we tightly held onto as we anxiously waited for our dream to come true. We were willing and ready to do whatever He wanted. Although moving overseas would be quite the undertaking, to say…
When Jesus was asked what the greatest command was, He answered concisely: 1) Love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and mind, and 2) You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-39). Once you decide to give your life to the Lord, you quickly come to find out that there are many callings…
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
8 “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the…
Although parents work hard to teach children to say “Thank you,“ such a mannerism does not remain unless one chooses to be intentional about it. A cross-cultural survey by the John Templeton Foundation revealed that only 48% of American adults say they express gratitude on a regular basis. One would hope this trend would not…