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Church Growth Prayer
Teach me, Lord, to number my daysInstead of counting sheep: To live as faithfully for the oneAs for the ninety-nine.May it be as I lay down to sleepThat I rest in the victory you’ve wonBeyond any success I’d claim as mine.
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Building the Body or Building the Brand?
Examining church doctrinal statements and job postings is a weird hobby of mine. It’s one of the consequences of being a huge theology nerd as well as a pastor’s wife. Recently, I came across several ministry job descriptions that are deeply troubling. Frighteningly, these are coming to represent a norm amongst contemporary evangelical churches. For…
accountability, blog, blogger, Christ's church, christian, christianity, church, church culture, church life, elders, evangelical, evangelicalism, exposing, exposition, fallen ministry, fallen pastors, Harvest, Harvest Bible Chapel, job posting, Mars Hill, ministry, ministry life, prophecy, reformation, requirements for elders, requirements for ministry, Titus, writer, writing -
The Interview
You’re here for which position?Oh, that one. Alright.You’re from where?It’s not much of a town, is it. (Not a question: a statement.A judgement.) This is your first ministry job?Hm.And you’re thirty?Well, we all have to start sometime… (He is not more than fortyBut they start them young.) How many children do you have?One? That’s nice—What’s…
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Wedding Advice for Non-Musicians
I’m playing organ for a wedding this week and it made me remember the tiny details that often go overlooked by non-musicians. To help out my fellow wedding musicians and non-musician brides and grooms, here are a few tips: 1. If you are getting married in a church, ask when the piano was last tuned.…
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Communion Crumbs
Last week, I was provided an unexpected perspective on communion. On Saturday, my husband remembered that it was his turn to bring the communion items—the bread and the “wine.” We stopped by the grocery store for what we expected would be a quick errand and, instead, spent a fair amount of time in the juice…
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No Unequally Yoked
Once, as I was struggling in a poor relationship, my mom reminded me of 2 Corinthians 6:14. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV The image of “unequally yoked” was somewhat foreign to me, having grown up…
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Not Like Snow
I do not want to be made white like snowWhich covers and conceals there still belowThe dark and dirt of this our hard-packed earth;It blankets but cannot bring about new birth. Instead, I’ll be the frost that fades away—Made brilliant, burning in the light of day—And, turned to water, washed in bitter deathIs risen as…
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To Walk Upon Snow
Plowing the streets was necessary,But it leaves me, though safer, sad.In that unblemished blanket from heaven’s stores,I saw for the first time, at last,The gleaming, blinding sparkling oresOf streets made from pure, white gold. I am too heavy to walk this new roadAnd so I dig out the cheap, sturdy, dirty oldPavement that is suited…
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The Fruit of the Spirit in Worship
I have written extensively on singing as a scriptural mandate, as essential evidence and enforcement of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. For reference, please see my previous posts, “Four Reasons Your Church Should have a Choir” and “Preaching as the Choir”. Worshipful music (note that not all “worship music” is necessarily worshipful) must be practiced and…
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Wasting Time Well
Each New Year, I make a list of resolutions. I wonder, though, whether this is energy well-spent; as much as I love lists and goals, I never fail to, well, fail. Even though I make some progress with each new year, I more often am left disappointed. As I mulled over a resolution for 2022,…
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Gilead
“To me it seems rather Christlike to be as unadorned as this place is, as little regarded.” – Gilead
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Preaching as the Choir
*The following is a paper written as part of my master’s coursework. The research and thought that generated this paper have had a profound impact on my thinking in regards to worship, and I return to these sources and ideas frequently. In the post-Christian age, sacred choral music remains “a significant part of many people’s…
Recent Posts
- Learning to Lean: On Walkers and Worship
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Ryanne Molinari 