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

Chad Bird
Chad Bird
12/17/16

When a Dragon Tried to Eat Jesus: The Nativity Story We Don't Talk About

The dragon who failed to devour the child in the manger swallows the man atop the cross. In so doing, unbeknownst to this beast, he ate poison.
Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
12/15/16

Cleaning Up Christmas

I take out the broom, spray bottle, and trash can. For the hundredth time this week, I find myself sweeping up the mess of a Christmas to come.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
12/14/16

"O Eden, Choked by Sweat and Thorn" -- A Christmas Hymn

The church cannot stop singing of the joy of the Incarnation. Here is another hymn to add to the long list of poetry focused on Emmanuel.
Jessica Thompson
Jessica Thompson
12/14/16

Immanuel: God With Us

Is there no sweeter sound than Immanuel? Christ’s name, God with us. Those three words heal an ocean of hurts, give courage to the weakest heart, and lifts the head of the weariest pilgrim.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
12/14/16

Behold The King Israel Never Expected

We have heard of the man born to be king. Here in Bethlehem, by divine condescension, the King—the King of kings—is born to be man.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/13/16

Clark Kent in a Manger

Jesus isn't Superman. He's not from another planet. He's from Earth.
Paul Dunk
Paul Dunk
12/12/16

Grace Came Down

God coming to us at Christmas encapsulates the essence of Christian faith: we don't make ourselves strong and then work our way up to a strong God.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
12/11/16

Oh Happy Fall Into Sin!

He created us with an eye on recreating us. He made humanity in his image because one day he would assume that image. The Creator would become a creature while remaining Creator.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/09/16

Spending Advent in God’s Winter Garden

So it is with my little garden as well; dead, so it would seem. Nothing. Barren.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/06/16

Isn't There Anywhere A Person Can Be Still?

This time of year, Christmas time, the world isn't so much Christ-expectant as it is Christ-haunted.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
11/24/16

When Turkeys Preach

It’s strange that we’ll stuff our mouths today with a bird whose life preaches against us. For consider the turkeys, which neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Matt Kroelinger
Matt Kroelinger
11/18/16

Weak Faith in the Midst of Tragedy

Recently I’ve met many people that have suffered tragedies in their families. I know this sounds a little selfish, but the ones that stick out the most to me are the ones that affected my own family.
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