Last month by God’s grace, I reached my five-year anniversary as the preaching pastor of my local church and surpassed a decade of vocational pastoral ministry.  I realize that this is not an incredibly long time and that compared to many faithful pastors, I’m still a snot-nosed kid with all kinds of things yet to learn.  Yet, I actually find it astonishing that I’ve made it this far.  Truly, this is all of grace.  I say that because I’ve come to realize that being in ministry poses a myriad of threats to a man’s spiritual health.

I remember hearing it said somewhere that ministry will either make you a better man, or a far worse one. … Continue reading

Eschatology, the study of end times, may be one of the most misunderstood and debated issues in theology. I have heard some people say: “It really doesn’t matter.” “It’s too complicated, why study?” And “Too many people fight over it, I don’t want to fight.” One famous pastor even said it’s sin and  divides the church to have eschatology in your doctrinal statement.

Those objections may have a glimmer of truth to them. People can have differing views of eschatology (on some level) and still have the gospel right. People disagree over whether or not Israel will be restored and a seven year tribulation, but both groups still place their faith in Jesus Christ, have been atoned for, and will stand next to each other in heaven.… Continue reading