First Pentecostal

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

What does Jesus think about Homosexuality?

Is homosexuality a sin? It’s an age-old question, and there are people on both sides of the debate, each quoting their Bibles. How do we know who’s right? What would Jesus do if he were…

Shut down the bus tours: What older church members should really be doing

So how do you engage older church attendees… say people over age 50? The question’s been around a long time. And, as most church leaders could tell you, it’s a bit of a loaded question. It’s also a question I’m...Read More→

Single mums finding acceptance in church

The days of castigating unmarried women with kids are ending

How Pastors Accidentally Ruin Their Church

It wasn’t on purpose. They never meant any harm to come. But they sat and watched as the church they loved crumbled.

If God is Sovereign, Why Pray?

Prayer and evangelism are both part of God's plan.

Why Does God Want Me to Pray?

Prayer is a wild concept. Prayer is supernatural. Sometimes, it's even dangerous. But, I think we’ve so domesticated prayer that we’ve lost sight of its power.

The God Squad: Why do we pray?

People who are religious pray for the same reason that we breathe. It is a natural and...

How to Pray When It's Hard to Hear God

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 (NIV) The question popped out of the blue as I tucked ten-year-old Josh in bed. It’s funny how creative conversations somehow happen at lights-out. “How do you hear God talk to you?” Josh asked as I scrambled for a simple answer. “What does His voice actually sound like? How do you know whether it’s your imagination or God?” I detected a…

Why You Should Pray for 'God Winks'

7 Ways to Question God When You Pray

How Do You Prepare to Pray? [Finding God Through Meditation]

What does Peter of Alcántara have to say how you should prepare to pray? Find out in today’s excerpt and reflection from Finding God Through Meditation. Of the Preparation Necessary to Prayer It will not be beside our purpose to handle all these parts severally; we will, therefore, first begin with preparation, which we did put first. …

4 Psalms to Pray When You Need God's Help

When we don't know what to pray, we can pray God's Word back to Him. Use these 4 Psalms to Pray God's Word back to Him.

A New Way to Pray: How To Talk to God When You’re Broken

When we fake fine, we fake our way out of authentic relationship with God, others, and ourselves.

Praying for My Enemies: When God Says No

Praying is an act of faith. Sometimes it feels dangerous, leaving us vulnerable. I recently experienced such a crisis while praying for an enemy.

How Faithful! Roommate Prays “Oh God, Yes” and Claps Softly In Bed

I’ll tell him that he shouldn’t be embarrassed about his nightly holy prayer and that he’s free to perform it whether I’m asleep or not. As long as he doesn't insist for me to join him.

Have you asked God for your elephant? Praying big prayers

Are you afraid to ask for big things in prayer? Have you asked God for your elephant?

Things to Pray When You Open God’s Word

An intellectual faculty which you use to glorify God by thinking rightly about him.<br>An emotional faculty which you use to glorify God by feeling rightly about him.<br>God teaches us to think rightly and feel rightly about him in his word (Heb 4:12-13). Do you want to maximize God’s shaping influence on your heart? Pray! But how?<br>Downloads/Links