November 2022 Issue
The biblical imperative of pastoral self-care
Petr Činčala, René Drumm
After a routine wellness check at his doctor’s office, Pastor John1 counseled a troubled couple at his home. While John was in the counseling session, his doctor called his wife at work and said, “Listen, make sure that John gets to the hospital as soon as possible.…
Does anybody care? The response to perplexity
Drexel C. Rankin
Take the time to look deeply into the faces of those who attend a typical worship service. It can be a most enlightening—and often disquieting—experience. Helen looks distressed this morning, wondering about the possibility of her husband’s job transfer and displaying…
Pastoral visitation made easier
Dan Serns
I once saw a comic strip in which the first frame showed a pastor visiting with someone in their home but thinking, I really should be working on my sermon. In the second frame, the same pastor, now preparing his sermon, kept musing, I really should be out visiting. In…
Ethnic diversity: A current and significant opportunity for the church
John W. Telman
In recent years, because demographics have changed so dramatically, among other challenges, churches have tried to discover new ways to work with ethnic diversity within their congregations. Many have researched and explored ways that would turn these types of challenges…
Ruled by a clear conscience
Robert Osei-Bonsu
The lead counsel, a renowned academic and lawyer, while applying for a review of a ruling by the Ghanaian national Supreme Court not to reopen a case, implored its judges to make its decision based on their conscience and judicial oath. Up until this point, the petitioner…