(For a foundation on this topic, if you haven't already read them, I would recommend starting with the following two articles before reading this one: " Narcissism & the Church " and " Narcissism & the Church | Checking for Red Flags ".) If you find yourself in a narcissistic church, how do you respond? Here are a few thoughts. First , God will use this difficult time . He uses everything, working it together for your good and his glory (Rom. 8:28). I know it can be difficult

A narcissistic church leader is toxic . A narcissistic system is toxic . A narcissistic church is toxic . Sadly, many people within these environments will end up wounded. Surely, it grieves the heart of God to see people injured by the very people who are representing him. Surely, it grieves the heart of God to see people injured by the very people who are representing him. Some may suspect that they are in a narcissistic church in environment with a narcissistic church lead

If you've experienced the bite from a narcissist, then you know firsthand that it can be painful and disorienting. For many of you, sadly, you have experienced this in the church, which can make this bite spiritually disorienting and confusing. And, for those of you who have experienced the bite of a narcissistic pastor or spiritual leader, you have likely gone through profound and prolonged periods of confusion, denial, wrestling, pain, and have found yourself in need of hea

Type of Doctrine: Tertiary "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." -Colossians 3:23-24 ESV Why Does It Matter? Is Christian music for exaltation, edification, or evangelism? What about two of these? Perhaps all of them? Disagreements abound when a favorite Christian artist that was mostly edifying believers shifts to an evangelistic emphasis

What is plagiarism? Plagiarism, at its core, means to use someone's idea without credit. According to Merriam-Webster , to plagiarize means "to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source."[1] What is the history of plagiarism? The English word "plagiarize" likely dates back to the 1600s.[2] However, the term comes from French, Greek, and Latin influences dating centuries before.[3] Ideas which are

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28 ESV This morning I was reading a picture book with my youngest. It was one that I hadn’t read before. When we got to the middle of the story, one of the main characters and his sled dogs fell over a cliff. The next page moved along with the storyline without telling us what happened to the man and his dogs. The stress I felt in that mome

You've probably heard the Christmas song, "Angels We Have Heard on High." It is based on Luke 2. But have we really heard the nuances of what this text is teaching? Now, let me be clear: I’m not questioning if the angels actually sang. I’m not questioning whether the shepherds really heard the angels. I’m not questioning whether God heard the angels (obviously!). I am not even questioning if we have comprehended the basic ideas. Instead, I’m questioning whether we have fully

Like Paul and the Colossians, we live in a time period where there are many false teachings. Those false teachings are not only wrong, and lead astray, but they lead us away from true gratitude. However, other times, maybe the teaching isn't necessarily the problem. We may have to look inside and probe our hearts to examine why good teaching and following Jesus isn't leading us to "abound in thanksgiving." Let's look at Colossians 2:6-7. Colossians 2:6 ὡς   οὖν   παρελάβετε  

Type of Doctrine: Usually Secondary "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit...

Recently, a book that I was reading referred to a particular Hebrew word that shows up quite a few times in the Old Testament. The word...

This past week many tragedies were witnessed in the news. People on social media quickly exploded into outrage offering many different...

Are you in a season where you're waiting on God for something? Maybe it's an answer to prayer? Or maybe it's a new job? Or maybe it's a...

"He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." -John 1:11 ESV "Church hurt" are two words that I wish were never put...

"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is...

15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and...

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary...

" . . . and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." -Ephesians 4:24 ESV Sometimes...

" . . . set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." -1 Peter 1:13b ESV You need...

". . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being ....

Type of Doctrine: Tertiary "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to...