December 2008 Issue
Why do You permit this, oh Lord? The problem of evil and pastoral practice
Aleksandar S. Santrac
It is one of the oldest questions humans have asked, and one of the hardest answers to understand.
It is one of the oldest questions humans have asked, and one of the hardest answers to understand.Sequence preaching: How to design and prepare and effective sermon series
Derek J. Morris
Sequence preaching: How to design and prepare an effective sermon series
Sequence preaching: How to design and prepare an effective sermon seriesThe Communion service and the issue of unworthiness
Roberto Iannó
Partaking of the Communion service can be an intense and emotional experience. But what do we say by our nonparticipation in the Communion service?
Partaking of the Communion service can be an intense and emotional experience. But what do we say by our nonparticipation in the Communion service?Eight strategies to survive problematic parishoners
Judi Bailey
Every pastor has them. What can you do about them?
Every pastor has them. What can you do about them?Seven years in Karlsruhe: Memories of a church planter
Abraham Rangel Flores
Birthing a new church is challenging. But watching God perform miracles is exciting.
Birthing a new church is challenging. But watching God perform miracles is exciting.Diamond Leaders: when circumstances, character and commitment combine
Branimir Schubert
The closest I have ever been to real diamonds was during my days as a graduate student in France. No, my parents were not rich. They did not shower me with expensive jewelry. On the contrary, to support my studies, I worked as a security guard in nearby Geneva, Switzerland, where I would spend the night patrolling various businesses that included world-famous banks, watch factories, and well-known jewelry shops. I always knew that "diamonds are forever," and have known from the start that my wife will probably never own one. Thus, I accepted the fact that "diamonds are forever" out of my reach.
The closest I have ever been to real diamonds was during my days as a graduate student in France. No, my parents were not rich. They did not shower me with expensive jewelry. On the contrary, to support my studies, I worked as a security guard in nearby Geneva, Switzerland, where I would spend the night patrolling various businesses that included world-famous banks, watch factories, and well-known jewelry shops. I always knew that "diamonds are forever," and have known from the start that my wife will probably never own one. Thus, I accepted the fact that "diamonds are forever" out of my reach.Letters to the Editor
Ministerial alliancesI was pleased to read the article by JeffScoggins (“The Local Ministerial Alliance:Strengthened by Differences,”August 2008) concerning membershipin the local ministerial alliance. I havealways found the ministers of other denominationsto be sincere…