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

Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/19/16

What's Wrong with the World—in Two Words

The Christian faith makes a bold claim: We are the world's problem, but we are not the world's solution.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/15/16

Nice, France, and the Heart of the Human Problem

Dear church, do not get sidetracked. This is about far more than terrorism, racism, gun ownership, and the like. This is about the evil of the human heart.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/14/16

Your Own Personal Bible—And Other Insanities

We treat the Scriptures as if they’re our literary property to toy with as we please.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/05/16

The Professional Christian

Being a Christian is hard because it’s easy.
Scott Davis
Scott Davis
06/13/16

Camouflage, A Convict and A Cross

Have you ever played hide and seek with a 2-year-old? News flash: They’re terrible at it.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/06/16

Banjaxed

Stephen Fry, the English actor, author and game show host once disparaged the “grammar Nazis” who felt it necessary to enforce all the rules of language but who had forgotten, or just didn’t care, about the joy of language.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
05/30/16

First, the Bad News

Either one of those verses alone is scary; but both of them together are terrifying!
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
05/27/16

Heidelberg and Hobbiton: Theology of the Cross in Middle-earth

As the story unfolds we see Luther’s Heidelberg theses on display, even before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
05/24/16

When Church is Like Comedy Traffic School

At our churches must remain focused on the deep kick, the real deal, the thing itself. I’m not the first on this site to remind us that this is Christ himself.
Steven A. Hein
Steven A. Hein
05/17/16

Tacking to Glory

You cannot fudge Glory in this life. You get there only on the Better Day that is coming and not one day before.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
05/12/16

Make Sure You're Right With God!

To the Pastors and Preachers whose only word for me and others seem to be, "make sure you’re right with God!"
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
05/02/16

An Evil, Untrustworthy Bunch

“We humans are an evil, untrustworthy bunch.” I said to a friend recently, by way of explanation/cold comfort, after he had been cut to the core by fellow Christians who were uncomfortable with his vulnerability.
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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