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
01/28/18

Wasting Our Love

We follow the example of creation and her Creator, wasting our love quite prodigally in fulfilling our callings, whether we’re thanked or spurned, applauded or ignored.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
01/26/18

The Unsexy Church

The following is an excerpt from Chad Bird’s new book, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places (Baker Book, 2018).
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
01/24/18

You Can’t Fool God

Growing up in church I did not often hear the word “grace” uttered unless it was accompanied by the word “cheap” and said in a disapproving tone with a disdainful look.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
01/16/18

The Unforgivable, Forgiven

The pastor declares it. We receive it. The forgiveness of sins. It’s a simple thing.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
01/09/18

Yes, But...

Yes, but. It's a phrase I find myself repeating often in life. When my husband asks for forgiveness, I too often respond, "I forgive you, but…” and then continue with a list of my grievances.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
01/09/18

Whose Opinion Really Matters?

Only the poor are in need of a Savior, and only the dead need faith, hope, and love delivered to them by the hand of the Almighty.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
01/02/18

On Demanding Good Works

You say: Since forgiveness depends on faith alone, why must one nonetheless do good works? Answer: If faith is of the true sort, it cannot be without good works, just as no good work can be where unbelief dwells.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/28/17

Christmas is for the Naughty List

Merry Christmas sinner! Jesus was born for you. He died and rose for you.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
12/20/17

Good Reasons To Not Baptize Your Baby?

Babies need to be baptized for the same reason that all Christians need to be absolved: All of us are born into and contribute to this sin-wrecked show of a life.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/19/17

The Wisdom and Art of Faith

Faith does not distinguish between worthy and unworthy, saint and sinner, great faith and anemic faith, it only focuses on Christ Jesus.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
12/06/17

I'm Done Trying To Follow Jesus

One of the most famous things Jesus ever said was “Follow me.” He said it over and over. So much that it was recorded more than twenty times in the New Testament.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/06/17

Where To Begin

I’m going to begin at the beginning. But which one? Birth? Kindergarten? My first drink? The first time I had sex?
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