Connectional Addiction: Retirement, Identity, and the Hidden Temptation of Ministerial Influence
What happens when a lifetime of ministry reveals that we may have become addicted not simply to serving Christ, but to influence, recognition, and being needed? In this searching and deeply personal reflection, Mike Powers explores the hidden spiritual temptations of connectional ministry, the painful disorientation of retirement, and the Spirit’s call to rediscover the humble joy of serving Jesus alone.
Holiness: Becoming Fully Human
Holiness has too often been reduced to performance, perfection, and pretending. But what if we’ve misunderstood it all along? This article reframes holiness as the journey of becoming fully human in Christ.
Prayer and God’s Will
Have you ever wondered if an impression in prayer was really from God? This thoughtful reflection, rooted in John Wesley’s teaching, shows how Christians can discern God’s will faithfully without falling into either cold rationalism or dangerous subjectivism.
Hunger, Desire, and the Bread of Life
We live in a world trained to satisfy every craving instantly, yet our deepest hunger remains untouched. In John 6, Jesus teaches that the problem is not that we desire too much, but that we desire the wrong things—and only the Bread of Life can truly satisfy the human heart.
Proclamation and Power
Proclamation and Power By Peter J. Bellini Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of...
Practicing Sabbath
Practicing Sabbath By Tammie Grimm It can be startling to discover that for all the spiritual practices or means of grace we can name, none are listed in the Ten Commandments. Prayer, which is considered to be primary by many people of faith isn’t mentioned once....
But I Prayed about It!
But I Prayed about It! By Stephen Rankin There once was a man who went to talk with his pastor about a personal family catastrophe that he had managed to cause. A Christian friend of his pitched an investment idea to him that promised to bring a return three or four...
Learning How to Love Again: Augustine’s Cure for the Modern Soul
Learning How to Love Again: Augustine’s Cure for the Modern Soul By Jonathan A. Powers In the long history of the Christian Church, few figures stand as tall as Saint Augustine of Hippo. Throughout his ministry Augustine proved himself to be a brilliant thinker, a...
