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

Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
07/05/20

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:10-13 (Pentecost 6: Series A)

The message is clear and assuring—the Word of God does what it says it will do!
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/02/20

The Number 666 and God’s Merciful Math

The number 666 in Revelation has been interpreted in a myriad of ways. To whom does it apply? Is it a reference to a particular man or humanity in general? In this article, Chad Bird describes how 666 is related to God's math of mercy in the Messiah.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
06/28/20

Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9-12 (Pentecost 5: Series A)

The people gathered in Jerusalem that day were making a bold statement of faith. They believed Jesus was the New David.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
06/28/20

Epistle: Romans 7:14-25a (Pentecost 5: Series A)

Paul has gone through all this explanation to belabor the point: The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything.
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.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
06/26/20

The Hidden God and My Hiding Place

The God whom I met without a preacher is neither revealing nor hiding—but now, with a preacher, he has become my hiding place!
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
06/24/20

Scripture Interprets Scripture: What Does this Mean?

Scripture is clear in its main teachings and doctrines. People don’t need any special knowledge or training to understand sin, grace, forgiveness, and salvation.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
06/22/20

You Can't Handle God

The kingdom I seek is the lower-case realm ruled over by the almighty upper-case Me.
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.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
06/21/20

Epistle: Romans 7:1-13 (Pentecost 4: Series A)

St. Paul asserts the baptized have died in Christ but this death then makes them free to live unto Christ. Complicated? Yes, a little. Let us try to clarify things a bit.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
06/21/20

Old Testament: Jeremiah 28:5-9 (Pentecost 4: Series A)

As a prophet, Jeremiah only speaks the LORD’s words. Obviously, this is the difference between a true and false prophet.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
06/14/20

Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (Pentecost 2: Series A)

Jeremiah trusts the LORD to be faithful. He knows the LORD must answer, even though he is not certain how He will answer.
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