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Your Pastor: Shepherd or CEO? Many observers have recently expressed concern that the biblical model of the pastor as shepherd has been replaced with the model of the pastor as manager. Some biblical priorities are threatened when such a managerial model of the pastorate replaces the shepherding model. In what follows, I will place the priorities of a managerial model in contrast to what I believe to be biblical priorities. I do not intend to suggest that such priorities are inherently opposed to each other, but I do suggest that lower values have replaced higher values.Quality vs. Quantity The effect...

What Happens When I Doubt? by Juan de Valdes (1498-1541) Juan de Valdes fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1531 and led a reform movement in Italy. The following is a short extract from his larger work titled, The Benefit of Christ.The above title is not found in the original text but was created for this online edtion which was made available by Shane Rosenthal for Reformation Ink. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amongst those who bear the name Christian, I know that there are two classes of men. One finds it extremely easy to believe all that is said to them in matters of...

What is Your Purpose? What is Your Call?Os Guinness writes, "As you know, I have been very fortunate in my career and I've made a lot of money - far more than I ever dreamed of, far more than I could ever spend, far more than my family needs." The speaker was a prominent businessman at a conference near Oxford University. The strength of his determination and character showed in his face, but a moment's hesitation betrayed deeper emotions hidden behind the outward intensity. A single tear rolled slowly down his well-tanned cheek. "To be honest, one of my motives...

Chapter 10 CHRISTIAN HOLINESS Christianity, as we have attempted to show, calls for the same standards of goodness in different stations and in every person. No one can be allowed to rest in moral laxity and plead his exemption for aiming higher. Those who keep its standards in their eye, though they may not reach the highest attainments, will not be satisfied with such as are unworthy. The obvious inferiority will produce compunction; compunction will stimulate them to press on. Those who lose sight of their standard, however, will be satisfied with the height they have already reached. They are...