We've all been there: the unexpected blow, the heartache that rocked our faith to its core. Jesus promised a life of abundant living, where troubles come in threes and faith makes leaping from the cliff feel safe. But what happens when our worst nightmare unfolds - the one that we just pray wouldn’t ever touch our families? What about the trials that shatter our notions of a good, powerful, loving God?...

The dark secret of the Christian life is that often, we don’t feel like a Christian. There are times when we doubt our faith, and feel consumed by guilt—an all-encompassing sense of personal unworthiness. The truth is, our moments of doubt and guilt should not be surprising; what would be more shocking is if we never did. These emotions are not a sign we must now leave Christianity and embark on some spiritual wilderness journey....

How many times have you heard self-care defined as a selfish act? As a child, were your attempts to address your own physical or emotional needs classified under the negative label of "selfishness"? While some argue that certain acts of self-focus can be narrowed down to a meager level of selfishness, the practice of genuine self-care is actually an essential expression of holiness and wholeness, both for ourselves and the world that we inhabit....

In this essay, the relationship between the Christian faith community, the state and civil liberties is explored. The argument supports a notion that the Church should recognize its part in the protection of rights and freedoms due to its foundational influence on democratic institutions. To understand this position fully, it is necessary to grasp the historical context that gives rise to the contemporary western conception of liberty and freedom. The church’s influence on framing governments and laws as well as its role in advocating for social justice will be assessed....

The decline of religious affiliation or belief has been a prevalent and significant phenomenon in Western societies. Books, articles, surveys, and conferences have swelled with a perceived need to analyze this shift, often referred to as secularization, spiritual-but-not-religious or non-religion. In the United States, polls show a downward trajectory in denominational adherence since 1990, as well as a rise in people self-identifying as religiously unaffiliated.^{[1]} Numbers are equally compelling from an international perspective: Declines in church attendance^{[2]}^{,[3]}, Christian practice and identification^{[4]}, and increases in non-religious perspectives are also seen in Western Europe^{[5]}^{,[6]}, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand....

It's no secret that people hold a wide range of ideas and beliefs regarding heaven. The question is asked, "Why are there so many ideas about heaven that are not Biblical?" To address this question, it can be helpful to look at three contributing factors: Human nature, the diversity of Christian traditions, and the challenge of interpreting the Bible. 1. Human Nature First and foremost, human beings possess an innate desire to speculate about the unknown, including what happens after death....

In the not-for-profit world, many ministries and churches do not operate efficiently. Some fail to be effective at reaching people for Jesus Christ. To address this challenge, I have consulted with a good number of Christian organisations. In these strategic processes, it has often been my experience that well-intentioned attempts to improve may still stumble unnecessarily. Some may even come to a complete halt. Here is one critical factor in why church consultations may fail, which, if understood and addressed appropriately, can greatly help these efforts succeed....