Author: J.D. Walt

It’s so easy to think our small part will not be missed; that it doesn’t really matter. What if it could mean the difference between the town being sacked or spared?

The big question we must ask ourselves about our local churches is, Are they crowds or are they communities?

Jesus is looking for covenant keeping disciples—men and women and children who will put their hand to the plow and never look back.

Then and now, Jesus comes to expose our agendas and to supplant them with a vision to which it never would have occurred to us to aspire.

Being a clergy person is far more about being a real player among players than a professional among patrons or participants.

Thus far, the church has enjoyed the favored status of serving as the “host” of this country. The church is fast becoming the guest in America.

Our affections—for God, family, and neighbors—are not properly ordered by a hierarchical set but by a centered set. A hierarchical set actually divides our affections. A centered set orients our affections.

The bonds of the gospel of Jesus Christ are stronger and infinitely more lasting than family ties—as important as family ties are. Jesus comes to bring the families of the earth into the family of God.

Live as a Christian for any amount of time and you’ll soon discover that the Bible conflicts with your understanding of who God is and what God is like. Following Jesus means learning to wrestle with, live with, and trust the text.

We cannot let the world’s anxiety dictate our response to crises. We do not fight crises by contributing to the fear, but by churning up the faith.