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

Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
07/10/21

Epistle: Ephesians 2:11-22 (Pentecost 8: Series B)

No matter how divided Jew and Gentile were, they were united in their sin. Christ alone is the answer to this.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
07/10/21

Gospel: Mark 6:30-44 (Pentecost 8: Series B)

Because Jesus turns desolate, dying places into holy landscapes of life.
Katie Koplin
Katie Koplin
07/10/21

A Letter to the Rural Church

Questions of our purpose and significance as a church abound with fewer and fewer people in the pews.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
07/03/21

First Principles of Preaching: Preparation (Part 3)

Sermon preparation is a way of life, a necessary discipline, and a serious mediation for the man of God, duly called and ordained to herald the royal proclamation of Jesus.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
07/03/21

Gospel: Mark 6:14-29 (Pentecost 7: Series B)

I would understand if you were a bit offended. This looks more like Game of Thrones than the Kingdom of God.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
07/03/21

Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14 (Pentecost 7: Series B)

This opening section of Ephesians is a virtual treasure trove of gospel promises, praising God for who He is and the abundant blessings He pours out upon His saints.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
07/03/21

Old Testament: Amos 7:7-15 (Pentecost 7: Series B)

In spite of the many issues of unfaithfulness, the LORD still refers to them as, “My people Israel,” pointing to the Covenantal promise.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/28/21

Come to the Waters of Repentance

Mankind’s “thoughts and ways” on the matter of pardon and forgiveness do not even come close to exhausting, let alone fathoming, God’s “thoughts and ways.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
06/27/21

Have No “Great Expectations” of Your Pastors and Christian Leaders

Our leaders, our pastors, our priests, our teachers, all have feet of clay, just as leaders in Israel did. We do not put our faith in them, even in the ones—perhaps *especially* the ones—in whom we are inclined to have great expectations. They preach the Messiah but are not the Messiah.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
06/27/21

First Principles of Preaching: The Verb Itself (Part 2)

The Christian sermon is Gospel preaching. We only preach the Gospel. Only the Gospel is the sermon, notwithstanding necessary admonishments of law and requisite exhortations toward sanctification.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
06/26/21

Old Testament: Ezekiel 2:1-5 (Pentecost 6: Series B)

Ezekiel is not called/sent out to be “successful” in his prophetic ministry—he is sent out to be faithful!
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
06/26/21

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (Pentecost 6: Series B)

The God whose power is made perfect in our weakness is the God who, in weakness, saved you from sin, death, and the Devil.
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