Jeff Scoggins
Jeff Scoggins is president of the Minnesota Conference.
Articles by Jeff Scoggins
The concubine and the Levite? Really?
November 2023
Pastors in positions of power are vulnerable to being purveyors of abuse. This is true irrespective of Christian conviction or pleasing personality. Counselors Mabel and Colin Dunbar acknowledge, “Many abusers are actually quite charming…
Social media—Friend or foe?
October 2022
I was pastoring several churches when social media became prominent. It changed the job for me in a number of ways; some good, some not so good. As an introvert, for me, the same rules apply to social media as to crowds. I enjoy being around…
Paul at Athens: A study in tactical leadership
July 2019
Every church leader prefers certain settings in which to minister. Speaking in different venues and varying cultures is often fraught with risk. And yet God often calls His spokespersons to do exactly that. Consider the experiences of apostle…
Of mission and swords
February 2017
I often read the story in Luke 9 and 10, when Jesus told His disciples to take nothing with them for their missionary journeys. I understood His reasons for doing so. But in Luke 22, He told them that the time had come for them to take with…
Music of the Message
March 1942
Songbook Ownership an Aid
Selling our own songbook has proved one of the best methods of promoting a successful singing service during an evangelistic campaign. We use "Gospel in Song," finding it to be one of the best…
Reliving the Days of 1844
January 1945
In no other place save at headquarters could this unique centennial service have been possible—wherein descendants of our pioneers could retell the story of early triumphs over obscurity, poverty,…
Parable of the Garden
February 1957
In an incautious moment I found myself deep in thought. It seemed as if I were speaking to my Lord. I said: "Master, show me myself. Analyze the inner workings, the strengths and weaknesses, the subtle, hidden motives. Lay bare…
Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ
April 2011
In his introduction to Practice Resurrection, Eugene Peterson is scathing—refreshingly so. The essence of his premise upon which the entire book is founded includes the idea that Christians have taken the biblical metaphor…
The local ministerial alliance: Strengthened by differences
August 2008
Several years ago I left a job in overseas church administration, moved to a community outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and started pastoring a three-church district. I was not a seasoned pastor returning to the…
Waking up to spiritual discipline
July/August 2010
Will you be attending the pastors’ retreat?” my conference president at that time, Bill Miller, inquired. “I didn’t know I had a choice,” I answered. I was new to full-time pastoring, and was still learning the expectations not only of a…