ARE you confused about church leadership? What types of leaders are we supposed to have? What are they supposed to do? Where does each office fit in to the church itself? Although we would not draw such a conclusion looking at the church today, the New Testament church leadership represented a complete balance of authority and purpose, room for everyone's gifts and calling, and heaven and earth coming together in Christ's Kingdom. The five-fold ministry, appointments, and ministry works all came together to do the necessary leadership functions, purposing the church to expand and gain a...

THE book of Jonah sparks memories of Sunday School pictures, workbooks and images of the Prophet Jonah in the belly of a whale. Most people, especially if they have been in church since children, are familiar with the story of Jonah, the fact that he disobeyed God, and the result of his disobedience. In the cute way in which the book of Jonah has been retold in parts as stories, we think we know Jonah...but do we really know the ins and outs of the story? Why did Jonah disobey God in the first place? Did he resolve his issues? What was the result of Jonah's encounter with God? Above all, what...