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?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:19 — 30.6MB)

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?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:19 — 7.9MB)

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)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:24 — 5.8MB)

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:38 — 6.8MB)