Throughout the centuries, people have found inspiration in scripture, taking it and putting it into music or scriptural themes. George Handel's life was a testament to this, as he found his greatest inspiration in the scripture, particularly in the book of Job, where he discovered his declaration of faith: 'I know that my Redeemer lives.' [... more]

The church is a living body of which we are co-owners, not just a club where we pay dues and show up occasionally. We belong to the church because we've exchanged observing for owning, and because everybody's watching, including the angelic hosts. Jesus Christ is not finished building his church, and neither are we. [... more]

Belonging to a local church is essential for Christians as it enables them to resist pride, radical individualism, and consumer mentality by submitting and belonging to a spiritual family. The church is a body of believers that has set aside qualified elders and deacons, defines a doctrinal and ethical standard, and develops structure and method to disciple and discipline its members. [... more]

Engaging one's mind and heart in worship is essential for a meaningful experience. The Bible emphasizes the importance of rational and spiritual worship, where one's thoughts and emotions are aligned with God's Word. Authentic praise requires spiritual life, assistance, and activity, making a commitment to contribute to the congregation and render unto the Lord for all his benefits. [... more]

We are created to praise God, and congregational worship is a rehearsal for the singing and praise we will enjoy in heaven. True worship is tied to an adequate and accurate knowledge of God, and it must be grounded in the truth of Scripture. [... more]

Alistair Begg explains how our hearts need to be properly tuned for worship, and how our manner of worship should be grounded in the truth of Scripture, engaging our minds, and involving the core of our being. He discusses the importance of the pastor's engagement in worship, singing great songs, cultivating a congregation-centered priority, serving the congregation through musical excellence, and managing the congregation's repertoire intentionally. [... more]

Starting a stewardship ministry in a church requires leadership buy-in, understanding the needs of the people, building a team, launching the ministry, and celebrating its impact. Financial literacy and a biblical worldview are essential for making wise financial decisions, including investing and managing debt. Options like reverse mortgages and life insurance settlements should be carefully evaluated to ensure they align with one's goals and objectives. [... more]

The Bible commands Christians to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, but the music in many evangelical churches today is often shallow and repetitive, focusing on emotional experiences rather than sound doctrine. The influence of rock and roll music, with its emphasis on rebellion and immorality, has led to a form of worship that is more focused on entertainment than on glorifying God. Historically, the church has been a singing church, with congregational singing being a key part of worship. However, the emphasis on Christian contemporary music and Christian rock has led to a decline in the use of traditional hymns and psalms, and a focus on music that is more focused on emotional experience than on sound doctrine. [... more]

The unity of the church is maintained through the word of Christ, which is central to worship and preaching. Congregational singing is a powerful form of worship that unifies and edifies the church, and music should reflect the new life in Christ, not the old life of sin. [... more]

Nikita is with Chad Slotta of Slotta Global Ministries talking about his mission to help pastors and congregational leaders address interpersonal conflict successfully through the ENGAGE program [... more]

The church's purpose is to assemble and worship through Spirit-empowered preaching, strengthening the saved and converting the lost, with singing that reinforces faith and expresses praise to God, our audience. [... more]

Dr. Kenneth Houck, founder of Stephen Ministries, shares the story of how he started training laypeople to provide one-to-one caring in congregations, and how this ministry has grown to impact 13,000 churches worldwide. He discusses the importance of not trying to solve problems, but rather being present and listening to care receivers, and how this approach has led to personal growth for Stephen Ministers themselves. [... more]