When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations
By Donavon Riley
10/01/25
13mins

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335
St. Michael, Defender of God’s People
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
09/29/25

St. Michael, Defender of God’s People

Why did the church dedicate a day to St. Michael anyway? Who is he, and what does he do?

All Articles

1517 Staff
1517 Staff
02/12/20

The Psychology of Crucifixion

The implications were clear: Jesus’ death destroyed the things that distinguished people as educated or uneducated, rich or poor, free or enslaved, black or white, pious or godless.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
02/11/20

Q&A for Finding Christ in the Straw

The Scriptures are not a collection of platonic ideals laid out for us to strive after. Rather, they are God’s truth given to His beloved church.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/11/20

Weaponizing Our Virtues

Virtue, like all good things, can easily be weaponized. And not only can, but constantly is. Indeed, I would argue that, for churchgoing, rule-following, tradition-honoring, morality-applauding people, virtue often becomes the cancer that we deem a badge of honor.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
02/07/20

The Patience of Job

The following is an excerpt from "Finding Christ in the Straw," written by Robert M. Hiller (1517 Publishing, 2020).
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
02/03/20

Q&A for Faithless to Fearless

Neither the disciples nor Paul expected a resurrected Messiah, so something has to account for their dramatic transition from faithless to fearless in the days/years following Jesus’ crucifixion.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
01/24/20

Good Gifts

The following is an excerpt from "Finding Christ in the Straw" written by Robert M. Hiller (1517 Publishing, 2020).
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
01/23/20

Third Sunday After Epiphany: John 4:27-42

The following is an excerpt from “A Year of Grace: Collected Sermons of Advent through Pentecost” written by Bo Giertz and translated by Bror Erickson (1517 Publishing, 2019).
Craig Donofrio
Craig Donofrio
01/22/20

Let Us Sing Our Faith

We sing, and in so doing, we are blessed as we are instilled with the word of God in word and song.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/20/20

Friendship in the Old Testament: David and Jonathan

Jonathan saw in David a reflection of who he himself was. This recognition pulled him outside himself and bound him to another.
Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho
01/17/20

The Law and the Conscience: An Excerpt from Martin Luther's Commentary on Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians

Indeed, the law said, “You shall love the Lord your God,” but the law cannot give me such love, nor can it take my hand to grasp on to Christ.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
01/03/20

Saint Dolly Parton

In the midst of the Word of God being spoken, she felt for the first time God had revealed Himself to her, not as the terrifying judge she feared, but as the loving and tender father He is.
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
01/02/20

Very Human Disciples

The following is an excerpt from “Faithless to Fearless” written by David Andersen (1517 Publishing, 2019).
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
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