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

Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho
07/08/20

No Sob Story Needed

That is the good news that ifies all hand wringing and wipes away every tear from every eye.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
07/07/20

Slaves to Fear or Free in Christ?

In our attempts to flee from our fears and escape death, we will become imprisoned by them.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
07/06/20

Love is the Law's Interpreter

Love is to be the interpreter of law. Where there is no love, these things are meaningless, and law begins to do harm.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
07/05/20

Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (Pentecost 6: Series A)

We cannot control the resistance of people to God’s Word, but we can trust in God’s power and promise to work through His Word.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
07/01/20

A Real Estate Transaction that Preaches Redemption

Ever since the tragedy of the Garden, God’s plan of redemption has been in motion. His movement upon this world has never ceased, and it never will.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/30/20

God, I’m Mad At You

When we are hurt, we cry out to God. But sometimes when the hurt gets really intense, our lament turns to complaint. Not only is this normal, but almost every lament in scripture contains a complaint.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
06/29/20

Out of Place Comfort

Comfort is not a platitude; it is a promise. A promise from our God who left his place of glory and died a sinner’s death for poor sinners.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
06/28/20

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30 (Pentecost 5: Series A)

Jesus did not come to be first. He came to be faithful, faithful to His Father’s mission for you.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/21/20

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-42 (Pentecost 4: Series A)

If your congregation promotes and supports “family values,” you should be prepared to take this text head-on.
Erick Sorensen
Erick Sorensen
06/18/20

Messy Saints

Ultimately, you are not your problems. You are not your weaknesses. You are not your sins. You are sanctified. You are the recipient of God’s abundant, forgiving, amazing grace.
Ryan Stevenson-Cosgrove
Ryan Stevenson-Cosgrove
06/18/20

God's Upside Down Glory

When it comes to God’s word, our help only obscures his power and grace.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/14/20

Gospel: Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 (Pentecost 2: Series A)

The Father in Heaven is the only one we have legitimate reason to fear. But in Christ, we learn that the Father knows His children intimately and values His children exceedingly.
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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