How Do You Plead?

We question leadership at every level.  Politicians, big businessmen, judges, doctors, teachers, police…. our culture has declared open season on those in authority.  This is also true in the church, where the days of the pastor leading the congregation like a general leads an army are long in the past.  This is not all bad, as absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But the church can go too far and “evaluate” the pastor that prevent biblical unity.  Paul found that same problem in the Corinthian church.  What makes a good leader?  How can we evaluate our pastoral staff?  And how should we treat our pastors?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Updates from the Youth Mexico Missions Trip

Update August 14/09:  The youth missions team has return home from Matamoros, Mexico and has experienced real transformation.  Here’s a sample of what was happening.  Pastor Ken is giving the report in this video clip.

Our youth missions team has arrived in Matamoros Mexico and you can see what they will be doing. Adventures in Missions has a blog site that shares stories and updates. Click here to see how God is at work.

New York City STM Pictures

We’ve got some great pictures of the week, as well as a report given during a recent worship service. You’ll find the audio report below the pictures.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Measurements

Been growing recently? How do you know? From cups and spoons to measuring tapes and personal height rulers on walls, there are tools to measure every kind of growth.

This is also true for spiritual growth. But you better know the right tools to measure growth. The Corinthian church had the wrong set of tools and thought they were mature spiritual people when they were not. What are the right measuring tools for truly spiritual people?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Overflowing Joy In Jesus is Contagious

Married couples remember how they proposed. They remember the joy of saying or hearing that special word “yes”. They couldn’t wait to tell others about the engagement. They wanted to tell others that they were getting married! When you are that joyous and in love with someone, it is natural to see it rub off on people. It is contagious!

Would people call our relationship with Jesus a joyous passionate excited relationship?

(Pastor Ken Ferguson)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Whoever Gets The Last Word… Wins

Winning an argument is like eating chocolate cake. Whoever gets the last piece or word…. wins.

Paul knew this. The Corinthian church knew this. But Paul understood an important factor in their conflict. It wasn’t Paul vs. the church. Paul wanted to correct the Corinthian belief that their conflict was “us vs. Paul”. Paul needed to set a new foundation of who got the last word.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.