December

Jeffrey O. Brown

The whole program is negative. Always. Yet, I watch it. Every feature is pessimistic. Almost. Yet, I listen to it. What is this program? It’s called the nightly news.I use the term almost because the National Broadcasting Company ends each episode with a story called Inspiring America. Some terrible events are covered during each nearly half-hour episode—but it always ends with joy.One evening, it featured the story of a group of black Chicago high schoolers led… Continue reading...

Alrick Watson

In Following the Spirit, discipleship specialist Peter Roennfeldt attempts to rediscover the true meaning of church. He maintains that the church must follow the work of the Spirit in “disciple-making,” “church planting,” and “movement building.” These activities of the Spirit are demonstrated throughout the New Testament and significantly exemplified in the book of Acts. In this commentary on the book of Acts, the author followed a devotional format. He dissected… Continue reading...

Pastor Shaun Hepworth with Bourke mayor Barry Hollman and Bible worker Albert Peter Pastor and Bible worker launch a center of influence NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA In country towns like Bourke in northwest New South Wales, unemployment sits at around 25 percent. Lower incomes, droughts, and a lack of resources mean it’s difficult for many people to make ends meet. Twelve months ago, Pastor Shaun Hepworth from the Bourke and Coonamble churches teamed up with… Continue reading...

Johnston, Madeline Steele

Thinking should be an integral part of planning and leading a worship service. Jesus tells us, “ ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ ’ ” (Matt. 22:37, NIV). Ellen White commented, “God requires the training of the mental faculties. . . . He is displeased with those who are too careless or too indolent to become efficient, well-informed workers.”1When we gather in corporate worship, we should do so with our… Continue reading...