Ray Ortlund passes on an observation about three stages in a local church’s growth and decline. It’s vital to humbly self-examine because what can be observed as strength can be the rigidity that is precursor to decline. Movement A healthy church is born as a burst of positive gospel energy. It’s a Pentecost-like explosion of …
To nurture a gospel culture in a local church Ray Ortlund writes about four categories of speech church leaders should keep in mind at all times: 1. Wisdom Saying only Christ-honoring, life-giving things. Always asking oneself, “Do the words I feel like saying rise to the level of wisdom? If not, they have no place …
Ray Ortlund writes about the messiness of real church. And the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin Real church is more than a human support group, more than empathy. The sacred blood of Jesus is here. And we bring no sin out into the light which his blood cannot cleanse away: …
Ray Ortlund explores the practical outworking of being reconciled to God on our personal relationships: An excerpt: Let’s ask ourselves some hard questions: Who are we keeping our distance from? Who are we avoiding? Who are we hoping we won’t run into around town? Whose presence makes us feel awkward because of some painful history? …
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