Nurturing Disciples in Community “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13: 35) In thinking about congregational care, there are four areas that aid in building up the body of Christ and strengthening personal bonds.  Worship and Praise, Prayer, Study/Fellowship,…

Beginning with the next article we will engage in a series on Christian discipleship.  Nancy Ischinger will begin this series with an article, “Nurturing Christian Disciples.”  Following this piece will begin a series on “Discipleship in Matthew and Christian Apologetics and Witness.”  Discipleship will be viewed from the perspective of our…

Anger is a dangerous emotion that can lead to harmful speech and actions. It is also destructive to the heart and soul of a human being. It can be as petty as a reaction to our not getting our way or as seemingly noble as a response to injustice.  Either way, anger is never an…

People differ, a well-known truth.  In dialogue and witness it is good to be aware of this and to observe and learn about the person with whom you are speaking. In no way is such close attention to the other to lead to a patronizing or contemptuous opinion of that person. …

Dialogue may produce the resolution of differences or decrease the differences (It may, in fact, increase differences, but it should never do this, because we have spoken and acted poorly). When we differ with our neighbor or enemy about certain essential things, what then do we say and do?  We must live together in peace,…

Respect for the other in dialogue or debate requires careful listening. But, listening to another does not come easily to anyone.  It requires discipline, self-control, and humility.  Why humility?  This virtue reminds us that we are not the only ones who have something important and beneficial to say.  In fact, it teaches us…

Name(required) Email(required) Website Message Submit Name(required) Email(required) Website Message Submit One must remember when in dialogue with unbelievers that a utopian longing may be present.  Christians believe the kingdom of God will become fully realized in the future. It is by God’s power, not by human strength, that all things promised come to fulfillment.…

Humor is appropriate in apologetic dialogue and witness, but there are boundaries to it.  I suggest these guidelines: No humor is acceptable that is at the personal expense of the other individual or individuals or is meant to discredit them.  It is the world view that needs to be discredited and revised through…

Self-control, or temperance, is one of the four cardinal virtues along with courage, prudence and justice that come to us from pagan philosophy.  It is found in the list of fruits of the Spirit in Paul’s letter to the Galatians (5: 23).  It is a virtue that pertains to keeping the…

Uncivil Speech Name-calling  (pinhead, jerk, bozo, idiot, moron, stupid, etc.) Attacks on character. Intentional distortion of opponent’s/opponents’ views and argument. Humor directed at the person of the opponent so as to cause shame or embarrassment. Monopolizing the discussion. Sloppy argumentation; attempts at obfuscation in order to win the argument. Return abuse…