Engaging the Culture

Browse articles offering practical, biblical guidance for pastors. From spiritual leadership to personal well-being, our prayer is that you’ll find both encouragement and the tools you need to thrive in your ministry journey.
A colorful scene from a town in South Asia, where locals navigate their boats through a canal in a market.
Gospel Need and Opportunity in South Asia
ABWE
A photo of a microphone in front of an assembly. The photo of the microphone is sharp and in-focus, while the assembly in the background is blurred and softly focused.
Give Your Worship Leader a Break (by Training Up Others)
Jon Gilmore
A man in a blue coat and red backpack hikes along rocks over a stream in the middle of a mountain meadow. He is alone in a peaceful scene.
Brothers, Take (and Enjoy) Your Vacation Time
Tim Counts
A man stands in a peaceful setting on a mountainous beach, arms outstretched, facing a soft sunset.
Pastor, Who Will Fill the Pulpit During Your Vacation?
Reagan Rose
A flock of sheep graze peacefully in an alpine meadow.
When Should a Pastor Confront?
Chris Brauns
An extended arm waves an American flag in the air in a sunset with some clouds and sun rays in the background. How much patriotic emphasis in worship is too much? How much is too little? Are we mixing two kingdoms?
Thoughts on Patriotism and Corporate Worship
Ed Stetzer
A man stands on a shoreline in a sunset, arms outstretched, with all hues of red, white, blue, purple. Let us be on guard to keep the beauty and glory of our gracious freedom always in front of our people, lest anyone so foolishly leaves freedom for the sake of slavery.
True and Lasting Freedom in Christ
Jon Saunders
An American flag on a pole waves in the breeze. The sky in the background is overcast. Is there a place for patriotic songs in church worship? A better question is to ask how we might as shepherds teach our sheep how to be thankful for all of God’s blessings in a way that is obedient to Scripture and therefore honoring to the Lord.
The Place of Patriotic Songs in Worship
Jon Gilmore
A scene from a pride day parade. People marching with rainbow umbrellas. The LGBT movement has its rationale as to its legitimacy, but the Scriptures everywhere teach that the movement is not true nor righteous (I Corinthians 6:9-10). The church needs to focus on God’s assessment of the movement and how it is to respond to it.
How the Church Should Respond to the LGBT Movement
Alex Montoya
A man and a woman sit on some rocks far up above a bay. The man sits while the womans stands with her arm outstretched. A couple in ministry could have some reservations about such a trip. You may think that the cost doesn’t warrant such an indulgence. Consider the following points, which show the benefits of a planned family adventure.
Four Good Reasons for Pastors Get Away
Caroline Newheiser
A photo of a small pride flag waving in a breeze, with a large building in the background. The month of “pride” is a severe shaking of the fist toward a holy God. How so? There are three ways in particular.
God Opposes the Proud: Thinking Theologically about Pride Month
Jon Saunders
A father plays goalie in front of a soccer net, while his three kids kick the soccer ball in front of him. Your ministry time as a pastor is best used when you lead your flock in outreaches to the unsaved. Here are ten practical ways you can do that this summer.
How Churches Can Host Family Outreaches in the Summer
Ray Comfort