The Better Ministry

  Introduction Understanding Scripture can be difficult for anyone—and nearly impossible for first-time readers. That’s because the Bible often runs counter to the way the world works, and quite honestly, the way we’ve been trained to think. It requires us to see with God's eyes , not our own. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, when we place our full faith in Christ, we become a new creation—and with that new life comes a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who begins to illuminate what God has already made true in His Word. That’s not speculation—that’s illumination. When God shows something through His Spirit, it’s because it’s already there. But when we imagine, assume, or even reason something into the text that isn’t revealed, that’s speculation . And no matter how sensible it feels, if it’s not illuminated by the Spirit and grounded in the text, it is not what Scripture says. Speculation is natural—we all do it , especially when we’re trying to fill in the gaps. But when it comes to ...

Introduction If there is only one God speaking to all believers around the world with one voice, then how can the Church have as many as 45,000 distinct denominations and even more doctrines leading them in different directions? Unity is unquestionably one of the primary objectives of the New Testament—so, what does that mean in light of such division? Perhaps the most pervasive problem with the Church's unity is related to scripture--not it's inerrancy or the truths within, but our interpretation of it.  A hundred people can look into the same sky and experience a hundred things, but does that change the sky?  It is one thing for the Holy Spirit to lead us through scripture relative to our unique needs, but would He lead us apart from one another?  Would He teach us conflicting truths? If only there were a way we could all read Scripture differently in personal and communal context, yet consistently arrive at one unchanging truth—God’s truth—with no differences in who G...

  A Declaration to the Church in an Age of Misplaced Trust Artificial intelligence is not a threat to the Church— until it is used as one. It is not a voice from heaven, nor is it a voice from hell. It is a tool —no different in essence than a hammer, a concordance, or a spreadsheet. But when a tool is mistaken for a transformer , or worse a truth-creator , it becomes  treachery to the Church by the ones who use it. The fear is not that AI will think for us. The real danger is that we will stop thinking at all , and allow clarity, conviction, or even theology to be outsourced to something that cannot believe, cannot repent, and cannot follow God. We can use AI to organize , clarify , and challenge our  reasoning —but never to replace the Spirit, the Scriptures, or the community of believers. When AI is used to assist, it serves. When it is used to replace, it deceives. Consider this: if a pastor uses AI to generate a sermon without convi...

Since the time of Acts, the church has undergone a remarkable journey, adapting its structure and methods through centuries of change. Each era has introduced new possibilities for worship, fellowship, and leadership, reshaping how believers experience and express their faith. But in today’s age of digital developments, we have a unique opportunity to ask: is technology guiding us back to the church’s roots, where each believer takes an active, Spirit-led role in the church’s mission? Acts 2: The Original Church Model In the earliest days of Christianity, the church in Acts 2 embodied a vibrant, Spirit-led community. Believers met in homes, broke bread together, and supported one another through prayer, teaching, and shared resources. Leadership was informal and Spirit-directed, focused on helping every member live out their calling to glorify and enjoy God. It was a model that required the active participation of each believer, a fellowship driven by faith rather than structure. The I...

For generations, churches have relied on familiar leadership models, where decisions and direction flow from those with titles, degrees, and full-time commitments. This approach has provided order and stability, especially as churches grew within structured denominational frameworks. But here’s a question worth asking: Is our current way of leading the church truly fulfilling God’s purpose, or are we simply operating within an accepted framework? The landscape of church leadership today largely divides into three main models. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but each also reveals something about how leadership shapes our relationship with God, one another, and the world. 1. Institutional Leadership: Stability with Structure Many denominational churches embody what we call Institutional Leadership —a model that prioritizes stability and continuity. Policies, hierarchies, and programs are well-defined, with decisions made by a few and communicated downward. People know what to exp...

In the landscape of the Church, a delicate balance exists between encouragement and accountability, often manifesting in contrasting approaches among congregations. Some churches adopt a hyper-conservative stance, imposing specific expectations aimed more at performance and  compliance, where individuals feel compelled to conform without the space to genuinely grow their faith. In contrast, hyper-liberal congregations may provide virtually no accountability, fostering a permissive atmosphere that can lead to a lack of clarity regarding Biblical teachings and moral standards. Such a disparity highlights the challenge of navigating how to support spiritual growth while maintaining the integrity of the church, as both extremes can hinder the authentic development of faith within the community . Encouragement Encouragement plays a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant church community. It involves providing support, affirmation, and motivation to individuals as they navigate their spir...