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

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

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?

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Pete Lange

01/27/21

Why Does Our God Have Many Names?

From the womb to the tomb, from the cradle to the grave, Jesus’ name defines and describes who he is and what he is all about.

Chad Bird

01/27/21

The Old Testament and Alcohol: A Short Q&A

The Old Testament mentions wine about 140 times and beer ("strong drink") about 20 times. What can we learn from these passages? Chad Bird provides us with a short Q&A about the Hebrew background of alcohol, as well as a look forward to the Party of parties in the resurrection feast.

Donavon Riley

01/26/21

Catching Jesus' Ear

As a parent listens for the cry of a hurting child, our heavenly Father waits for our cry of weal and woe.

David Schmitt

01/24/21

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

God’s people have gathered in worship while there is a war going on, and this war has two opponents: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. There is no middle ground.

John Bombaro

01/24/21

Epistle: I Corinthians 8:1-13 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

This Spirit of love permits no Christian to exercise their freedom at the expense of another Christian still troubled by old associations.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/24/21

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

Christ is not only the fulfillment of the prophetic line, but He is also the NEW Moses.

Chad Bird

01/23/21

The One Hebrew Word You Don't Want to Forget

In the Old Testament, to zakar ("remember") is not merely to rifle through the files in your head until you find that fact you’ve been searching for. To zakar is to employ your hands and feet and lips to engage in whatever action that remembrance requires.

Bruce Hillman

01/22/21

The First Love of God

Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking God's love is like the love we experience in human relationships. But human love is a derivative of God's love. It is lesser.

Donavon Riley

01/21/21

His Face Shines On Us

For God to shine his face upon us is the same as saying, “Christ Jesus is with us.”

Kyle G. Jones

01/20/21

Scripture Speaks with an Accent

The accent of Scripture emphasized that Christ is for you. Yes, you. He’s not for the perfect people of our imaginations. He’s not just for Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, or Paul. Christ is also for you.

David Schmitt

01/17/21

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 (Epiphany 3: Series B)

But Jesus comes to us today and reminds us that He has the power to make disciples in the midst of conflict and suffering.

John Bombaro

01/17/21

Epistle: I Corinthians 7:29-31 (32-35) (Epiphany 3: Series B)

Because this life is transient and we already live in the new and eternal age restored in Christ (at least in part), our preoccupations are different to those bound to this world and life.

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