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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Martin Luther

01/15/21

Of Works And Grace

The kingdom of Christ consists in finding all our praise and boast in grace. Other works should be free, not to be urged, nor should we wish by them to become Christians, but condescend with them to our neighbor.

Robert Kolb

01/10/21

He Doesn’t Make Things Like We’re Used To

God makes all things new. He refashions us from those turned in upon ourselves, turned to idols of our own choice and making, to experience the freedom He gives by pronouncing us His righteous children.

David Schmitt

01/10/21

Gospel: John 2:1-11 (Epiphany 2: Series B)

We like to close with something great. We even have a saying for this behavior: “Saving the best for last.” God Himself has a way of saving the best for last.

John Bombaro

01/10/21

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Epiphany 2: Series B)

What does being free from sin, which is obviously a good thing, have to do with being free from the Law, which sounds dangerous?

Jeffrey Pulse

01/10/21

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) (Epiphany 2: Series B)

Samuel plays a very important role in preserving the line of Judah by anointing and instructing the first kings of the united monarchy—especially King David.

Valerie Thur

01/06/21

I'll be Home for Epiphany

This year, I’m more excited for Epiphany than I am for Christmas.

John Bombaro

01/03/21

The Rituals of Preaching

Rituals resist domestication and confront us with a world and worldview brought forth from the Bible and through twenty centuries of Christianity for the purpose of arresting our contemporary worldview through its self-sameness.

David Schmitt

01/03/21

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

John has been preaching a radical vision of God, where God holds people accountable for their sin and calls them to repent. What will Jesus do?

John Bombaro

01/03/21

Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

In Scripture, to be "in Christ" is nothing but living in the light and reality of one’s baptism.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/03/21

Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-5 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

Christ has come to make all things new, and water and the Spirit are used for His new creation just as it was for the original.

Ken Sundet Jones

12/31/20

The Sad State of My Backyard

The setting for Luke 2 is the first century analog to my backyard. The stage is dressed with rust and decay, guilt and shame, sin and death.

Jason Lang

12/28/20

We Forgive Our Debtors

God has forgiven us our trespasses in Christ Jesus and it is his grace that begins the transformation process making us into little forgivers.

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