July 2009 Issue
Creation, the Sabbath, and worship
John T. Baldwin
The author invites us to rediscover the majesty and power of our Creator God as we study His handiwork.
The author invites us to rediscover the majesty and power of our Creator God as we study His handiwork.A pastor's struggle toward preaching stewardship principles
Bob Haslam
When pastors talk about the need for personal financial faithfulness, what are church members thinking? This story sheds light on that question.
When pastors talk about the need for personal financial faithfulness, what are church members thinking? This story sheds light on that question.The pastor and the law: Challenges of pastoring in a legally charged environment
Karnik Doukmetzian, Robert Kyte
There was a time when the pastor's work could be done with little fear of litigation or having to get involved in the legal issues impacting the church. But times have changed.
There was a time when the pastor's work could be done with little fear of litigation or having to get involved in the legal issues impacting the church. But times have changed."A little bit of the Second Coming now"
Charles Sandefur
Is it possible to model Christianity without engaging in social responsibility and the personal sacrifice that accompanies it?
Is it possible to model Christianity without engaging in social responsibility and the personal sacrifice that accompanies it?How to become an authentic Christian leader
Reinder Bruinsma
What are five qualities that people expect from their leaders?
What are five qualities that people expect from their leaders?Prayer-saturated preaching
Derek J. Morris
I was taught to pray from childhood. My parents encouraged me to pray when I got up in the morning and when I went to bed at night. They led us in prayer before and after each meal. I am deeply grateful for what I learned about prayer through my Christian upbringing. Some important foundations were laid. But there was a lot about prayer that I didn't know. I didn't know that prayer was all about relationship, a love relationship with God. I didn't know that I had to ask for spiritual blessings in order to receive them. I didn't know what a difference intercession could make.
I was taught to pray from childhood. My parents encouraged me to pray when I got up in the morning and when I went to bed at night. They led us in prayer before and after each meal. I am deeply grateful for what I learned about prayer through my Christian upbringing. Some important foundations were laid. But there was a lot about prayer that I didn't know. I didn't know that prayer was all about relationship, a love relationship with God. I didn't know that I had to ask for spiritual blessings in order to receive them. I didn't know what a difference intercession could make.Letters to the Editor
Avoiding destructive behaviorI appreciate the consistently excellentarticles that appear in Ministry.One such article, “How to AvoidDestructive Behavior” (March 2009),prompts me to make the followingcomments.When the authors spoke oftransference and countertransference,they…