What’s the point of speaking up? When alternate teachings and debates enter into the church, why bother saying anything at all? Why should we take a stand when Biblical truth is being altered or ignored? Look at 2 Timothy 2:14-18. “14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about…
When Do We Draw the Line? I was travelling on a plane recently. I found myself sitting beside a man who wanted to make small talk. Soon enough, he asked what I did for a living? I told him that I pastored a church in Whitehorse. His eyebrows rose. Throwing out the “P” word usually leads…
Planning To Rest. A couple of weeks ago I took a week off. My timesheet may reflect a week of vacation, but for me it was a week of sabbaths. And I planned it that way. The word sabbath has its root in the Hebrew word, “shabbat“. Scholars believe this word is “…derived from the verb…
Personal Life Update: Let’s save the ministry update for later, and focus on the most recent (and exciting) news: Introducing Mark Henry Norton, born at 7:03 AM on Tuesday, April 12th; weighing 7lbs 14oz and 20 1/4″ in length. We just arrived home from he hospital this afternoon. Mom and baby are doing excellent. Both are happy and…
Investments of Time Bring Returns of Blessing. Last week I wrote a lot about the investments of faith that people have made into our lives. These investments come from our ancestors, grandparents, parents, mentors and many other people, willing to invest in our walk with Christ, producing returns of growth. That considered, I’d like to share a…
Investments of Faith From Multiple Sources. A couple of days ago, I wrote about the investments of faith that our ancestors and grandparents have placed into us. But let’s remember that before they were grandparents, they were parents. “5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice…
Look To the Future. As Paul sits down to write his second letter to Timothy, we get a sense that he’s in a contemplative state. He’s in prison, knocking on death’s door, and deeply misses his pastoral apprentice, who’s become like a son to him. “3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors…
We Should Ignore Restore Them. We started the week with a discussion on sin. Specifically as it pertains to pastors and elders. We established that these men aren’t perfect. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised if they fall into sin at some point in their leadership. (Click HERE to read this post.) But what happens after that sin takes…
Pastors & Elders Don’t Do Sin “17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’” (1 Tim. 5:17-18) At…
And Ask For Help. A pastor can’t do much unless he has some time management skills. And let me tell you, after 4 years of Bible College, there was never a class that included anything related to time management. Sure they mentioned that we needed to have integrity, but that was more unpacked within the spiritual…
Another Pastoral Prerequisite. Paul wrote to Timothy, ““…devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:13) Yesterday we discussed a pastor’s preaching role. Today we’re going to talk about teaching. The Greek word used here, didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee’-ah). It carries with it a sense of formal instruction, or more specifically, the…
The Gospel Is a Pastoral Prerequisite. What DOES the pastor do all week? Well, a pastor should preach. Paul wrote to Timothy, “…devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Tim. 413) But what does it mean to preach? In it’s most basic sense, to preach means to proclaim….