In his book, Mere Discipleship, author Lee Camp recounts the Rwandan civil war from the mid 1990’s. At the time, Camp was located in Kenya as a missionary. In the book, he explains how Rwanda had been considered a textbook case of successful Christian Missions. Churches were being planted and were multiplying rapidly. Then came the …
Author Archives: Scott Attebery
Candlelight Services and Babel
I remember attending a candlelight worship service as a child. Everyone was given a candle as they entered the sanctuary. As the service began, the lights were dimmed and the pastor stood at the front of the congregation holding a lighted candle. After reading a Scripture about Jesus being the light of the world, He …
The First Gospel Message
It didn’t take long for sin to enter the world. Genesis chapter 3 records the event as Satan tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. After the first couple eats the fruit and falls into sin, they immediately go into hiding. Imagine that, hiding from the God who created them and all the places …
Eight Ways to Improve Your Church “Care Plan”
Loss is hard. Although everyone handles grief differently, I’m convinced that nobody handles it easily. One of the ways that Christ comforts His children is through His body –the church. Romans 12:15 reminds us to “weep with those who weep.” After all, that’s what Jesus did. When His friend Lazarus died, He wept with Mary and Martha …
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Just Stop!
“Just Stop!” Maybe you’ve heard this phrase (or a variation of it) uttered from the mouth of a parent. Perhaps it has tread across your own lips. Its funny how words like these can take on different meanings based upon the context in which they are spoken and the tone with which they are exclaimed. …
World Famous
Suppose two concerts were taking place in your area on the same night. One concert features a local band while the other concert features a world-famous band. Which one do you think will have the largest crowd? Most likely, the world-famous band will attract the most people. Why? Because we assume that the band with …
Tackling in the Blink of an Eye
Seventh grade football: I played tailback and linebacker. On defense, the number one rule my coach stressed was, “Don’t close your eyes when you tackle.” Good advice. A week or two before the season started, we had a scrimmage. All the parents came out to watch. Even the local paper was there. During the game, as I …
Five Items For a New Pastor’s To-Do List
Have you ever noticed how ideas seem to flow when you don’t need them? Throughout the year, you might have a dozen great ideas for a weekend getaway; but when a weekend is finally available for a trip, you can’t think of anything to do. Or maybe you’ve had a million “when I get around …
Which Way Are You Going?
Apostasy refers to a person who has once heard, understood, followed, and professed the gospel of Christ, and yet turned away. This is not the same as a person who hears an evangelistic plea and says, “no, thank you.” This is a person who has been walking the walk and talking the talk before abandoning …
First
We naturally understand that being first has value. Have you ever argued over a toy and said, “I had it first?” Or have you seen two people fight over a place in line by saying, “I was here first?” First implies we have rights that those who come after us do not have. When it …