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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Peter Nafzger

01/31/21

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 (Epiphany 5: Series B)

What is Jesus' conception of, “How is God’s kingship made effective?” It would happen through preaching.

John Bombaro

01/31/21

Epistle: I Corinthians 9:16-27 (Epiphany 5: Series B)

Saint Paul recognizes the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus is how the Spirit of God translates people from death and darkness to life and light.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/31/21

Old Testament: Isaiah 40:21-31 (Epiphany 5: Series B)

Even though it may appear otherwise, the LORD has power over all things, Heaven and Earth, and He has and will use that power to save His people.

Tyler Cronkright

01/28/21

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

And because Jesus on the cross was sin in its entirety, God cannot look at him. He turns his face away, causing Jesus to cry out in utmost agony, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Pete Lange

01/27/21

Why Does Our God Have Many Names?

From the womb to the tomb, from the cradle to the grave, Jesus’ name defines and describes who he is and what he is all about.

Grant Klembara

01/25/21

Death's End according to Poet John Donne

Out of great pain and suffering often comes goodness, beauty, and truth. John Donne, born on the 22nd of January in 1573, is an excellent example of that for us in his masterful work, Death Be Not Proud.

David Schmitt

01/24/21

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

God’s people have gathered in worship while there is a war going on, and this war has two opponents: The Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. There is no middle ground.

John Bombaro

01/24/21

Epistle: I Corinthians 8:1-13 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

This Spirit of love permits no Christian to exercise their freedom at the expense of another Christian still troubled by old associations.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/24/21

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (Epiphany 4: Series B)

Christ is not only the fulfillment of the prophetic line, but He is also the NEW Moses.

Kyle G. Jones

01/20/21

Scripture Speaks with an Accent

The accent of Scripture emphasized that Christ is for you. Yes, you. He’s not for the perfect people of our imaginations. He’s not just for Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, or Paul. Christ is also for you.

David Schmitt

01/17/21

Gospel: Mark 1:14-20 (Epiphany 3: Series B)

But Jesus comes to us today and reminds us that He has the power to make disciples in the midst of conflict and suffering.

John Bombaro

01/17/21

Epistle: I Corinthians 7:29-31 (32-35) (Epiphany 3: Series B)

Because this life is transient and we already live in the new and eternal age restored in Christ (at least in part), our preoccupations are different to those bound to this world and life.

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