Growth

Two Common Myths about Spiritual Gifts

Andrew Gabriel
Spiritual gifts are all supernatural in the sense that the Spirit is involved. The Bible affirms, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Join this week's discussion as author Andrew K. Gabriel, Ph.D., deconstructs common myths behind spiritual gifts and how a church's capacity multiplies when it chooses to invest in members' development. ... Read More...
6 min read

Illumination by Translation

Luke Marchesani
Language identifies common ground by allowing us to communicate with one another succinctly and with a standard. Many times we discover portions of reality that have yet to be created in modern language. This week, Luke Marchesani, a graduate student at Southeastern University, engages with creativity, as defined biblically, while providing a methodology for Christ-followers to embody as they interpret Scripture. ... Read More...
7 min read

An Exploration of Biblical Commentary

Tommy Phillips
For some, biblical commentaries might seem intimidating; however, they are just as essential spiritually for the individual as they are communally for the church. In this week’s feature, we explore achievable methods that will enable you to deepen your exegetical study by using commentaries. Through sharing these four simplified steps, we encourage you to stand upon your own researched findings instead of solely upon others’ thoughts.... Read More...
7 min read

Looking Back to Forge Ahead

Aaron Ross
This year ECCLESIAM launches anew seeking to explore larger issues. Quite a few noteworthy things happened within the church and around the world this summer. What methods can the church employ to cultivate an accountability culture and a confessional environment that invites healing? From mental health to creativity to personal temptation from the pedestal of leadership, we seek to cover and provide pensive, theological, and biblical answers forward through the many struggles that currently confront the church.... Read More...
3 min read

Growing in God’s Silence

Daniel Castelo
The spiritual roller coaster that is the Christian walk is comprised of incredible highs and desperate lows. While we often think of God as working most clearly in the midst of those spiritual highs, such an understanding leaves us hopeless when experiencing tremendous loss or silence from God. Perhaps we need to rethink our understanding of how God affects spiritual growth in our lives.... Read More...
4 min read

The Seasonal Cycle of Life

Gordon Miller
The analogy is often used of the four seasons representing the four stages of life. We also employ the word season when referring to a period of time that is markedly different than that which came before. The concept of the seasons is one that is intimately intertwined with our perceptions of the past, the present, and the future. How, then, should we as Christians reconcile the often difficult reality of seasons in our lives with the promises of Scripture?... Read More...
5 min read

The Millennial Need for Mentorship

Matt Geeslin
Guidance, knowledge, and wisdom as ongoing processes are critical elements within the dynamics of mentoring and discipling. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus models a deeply personal style of leadership by investing into the lives of his disciples through empowerment and wise counsel. Similarly, how is the Church today to follow and continue this practice of mentoring and discipleship?... Read More...
5 min read

A Baptist Among Pentecostals

Michael McCain
There can be a lot of disagreement between church denominations and groups about doctrine. Often, though, we never truly engage with people who hold differing views, we only look at how their views are different. Here is one Baptist student's story about studying at a Pentecostal university.... Read More...
4 min read

The Role of an Effective Church Member

Josh O'Connor
In today’s world we have become so good at “just attending” church that the role of an effective church member has become diluted. There are many aspects of being an effective church member. However, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 about the function of the body of Christ. This can help give us the framework of the characteristics of effective church membership.... Read More...
3 min read