Here are sixteen thoughts about going into ministry. They are in no particular order. UPDATE: Please understand, I am listing these idealistically. Although I followed many of...

Ministry

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Open Discussion: What Does it take to be in Ministry?

First, let me restate the question to keep us from one debate. What does it take for a person to be qualified to be a full-time preaching/teaching pastor? Is some sort of...

by C Michael Patton

Ecclesiology (Church)

Ministry

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Open Discussion: No Music Allowed

This is taken from a church’s statement of faith concerning music: “When Christians come together to worship God they are commanded to sing (Eph.5:19;Col. 3:16).We...

How to Listen in Sunday School

When I first started teaching the Bible about fifteen years ago, I was given a Sunday School class at my church. It was a “college and career” class. I was...

Why I Teach (and Blog) the Way I Do

I imagine that most of you who read this blog recognize that I make my living teaching theology. Primarily, I teach The Theology Program. The Theology Program is a six-course...

Ecclesiology (Church)

Why Do I (A Calvinist) Go to An Arminian Church?

As many of you know, my family and I moved to Norman, Oklahoma, a year and a half ago primarily due to my mother’s illness. Previously, we lived in Frisco, Texas, where...

A Theology of Big Words (2)

I argued in the previous post that big words are often necessary to communicate particular concepts. I also argued that language, being created by God, is the primary way that...

A Theology of Big Words

My two year old son Zach has just entered that stage where he says a new word or phrase just about every day. It is wonderful to watch, listen, and laugh. The other day he...

by C Michael Patton

. . . and other stupid statements

Christian Life

Current Issues in Theology

"Belief is No Good Without Practice" . . . and Other Stupid Statements

It was in my expository preaching course that I learned it. It was driven into my teaching psyche and intended to become a part of my basic presupposed knowledge of ministry....

The Problem of Pastoral Depression

“Monday morning blues.” That is what it is sometimes called. Most ministers know what I am talking about even if they cannot find a safe place to admit it. It...

by C Michael Patton

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