Ministry Matters™

The Living Word (May/June/July 2011)

The Bible is remarkable, not just for its inspiration and impact, but for its endurance as well. Across the centuries and across cultures, the Bible speaks to people in their time and place. As we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible and the launch of a brand new translation, the Common English Bible, we reflect on how this holy book has stayed so relevant in so many contexts.

In This Issue

The Life-Shaping Influence of Scripture

The Life-Shaping Influence of Scripture

By Rueben P. Job
My first memory of hearing Scripture read is that of my father’s voice. I was a very sick child and he was seated beside my bed where he stayed all night attempting to… read more
Empowering Christians through Biblical Literacy

Empowering Christians through Biblical Literacy

By Bromleigh McCleneghan
“I was watching Joel Osteen the other day, and he said that the Bible says [Controversial Topic A] is wrong. But, we’ve talked about things differently here…… read more
Exegesis Behind Bars

Exegesis Behind Bars

By Ryan Snider
At the local Youth Development Center (YDC), a sixteen-year-old’s words echo off of the bare concrete walls: “When I try to live how I want to live, I fall down… read more
“That Doesn't Sound Like ‘the Bible’”: Reflections on the King James Bible at its 400th Anniversary

“That Doesn't Sound Like ‘the Bible’”: Reflections on the King James Bible at its 400th Anniversary

By Kent Richards
In 1949, a young graduate starting his first pastorate in rural Virginia was pleased to bring along his heavily used Bible from seminary. It was the Revised Standard Version… read more
Social Media and Online Scripture

Social Media and Online Scripture

By David Dault
In First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul proclaims, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some” (I Cor 9:22). If the history of… read more
A Brief History of the Lectionary

A Brief History of the Lectionary

By Gail O'Day
Every good preacher knows intuitively that preaching has far more to do with helping the congregation make sense out of reality than it does with making rational arguments. This… read more
Don’t Teach What You’ll Have to Unteach

Don’t Teach What You’ll Have to Unteach

By Suzann Wade
When it comes to teaching the Bible, you might think it would be easy for us as teachers, preachers, and writers simply to stick to the script. However, we are human. We sometimes … read more
From King's English to Common English

From King's English to Common English

By Paul Franklyn
In 2011 we observe the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The story of how and why King James authorized this version is beautifully told by Adam Nicolson in God's… read more
Keeping the Peace when Scriptures Conflict

Keeping the Peace when Scriptures Conflict

By Paul Stroble
Christians interpret Scripture as our normative guide to our convictions and practices, but at the same time, one can find biblical support for most any position one wishes to… read more
Is This a Bible-Believing Church?

Is This a Bible-Believing Church?

By Martin Thielen
A man recently asked me, “Is your church a Bible-believing church?” My first response was, “Yes, we are a Bible-believing church.” For example, I told him… read more
Teaching with the Rabbis

Teaching with the Rabbis

By Wes Kelley
Pastors face the weekly challenge of teaching familiar texts in fresh ways, along with interpreting the Scriptures to people diverse in their theological perspectives. To meet… read more
Called Home

Called Home

By Brian Erickson
February 2009 Like all employees, some pastors react to the itinerancy system by committing blatant character-sacrifice, kissing up to their superiors in order to get a better… read more