The Better Ministry

Most of us grew up believing that God has the entire history of the world written down in a finished book. We tell ourselves that every detail—from the day we are born to the moment we take our last breath—is already "set in stone." Some do this for the comfort of knowing God has already finished His plan, while others simply go along to avoid asking some difficult questions. One of those potentially disruptive questions has to do with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where that idea of a "finished book" runs into an uncomfortable realization. The Problem with a "Finished" Future If every passing second of the universe has already been determined, why did Jesus ask, "If it is possible, let this cup pass from me," what was He actually doing? If the "script" was already written and couldn't be changed, then there was no "if." It would mean Jesus was asking for something that was impossible, even for Him. It would make His...

This letter is a simple reminder, written with care, to let you know why I’m here. People who love you want to make sure you’re safe and supported, so I’m here as your friend, to help when your memory makes things hard. I live here so you don’t have to go through this alone. To make the most of this time together, we just need a few things to stay clear: 1. Your Safety You are not alone. If you feel confused, dizzy, sick, or unsafe, I’m here to help. I’ll gently remind you what might be causing it, and we’ll work through it together. 2. Your Happiness This is your time to enjoy life. If something Needs to be done, write it down—I’ll help remind you. If you’re bored or unsure, you can make a list of things you Enjoy —I’ll remind you. If there’s nothing you have to do, then just Relax . That’s what this time is for. 3. Your Physically Health Your doctors and family are taking care of the medical part. I’ll help you follow their guidance and stick to your normal healthy routines, includ...

Introduction Many Christians already belong to a church, attend on Sundays, and serve in ways that feel helpful. For them, this rhythm feels sufficient—and they assume that’s what being part of the Church means: attending, being kind, and following Jesus the best they can. But is that really what the Bible says? If you have a sense there's more to it, you may be asking: Is this what Jesus really meant by "follow Me"? Am I giving God enough—or does He require everything? Does my church exist to help me become like Christ in every area of life—or just in the spiritual parts? Most churches are faithfully sharing the gospel, teaching God’s Word, worshipping Him in praise and offering opportunities to serve within the church. This article praises all of that, but invites us to see more—not to add more burden to faithful staff and volunteers, but to recognize more fully what God has been asking of the Church all along : to love the Lord your God with all  your heart, with  all...

  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...