David pastors First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL, serves as a chaplain for his local police department, and teaches as adjunct faculty at Bob Jones University. David holds a Ph. D. in Applied Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His concentration in Christian Leadership focuses his contributions to pastoral and practical theology.
I realize that a number of hierarchical models of church structure find their alleged home in Acts 15, but I personally believe that congregationalism comes… Read More »Leaders Lead, and Congregations Decide: Congregationalism in Acts 15:1–35
Psalm 84 holds a special place in the heart of many. Christians have come to worship and commented with the words of Psalm 84:10: “For… Read More »No Greater Place: Devotional Thoughts from Psalm 84
“Every pastor is an interim pastor.” I’ve seen that saying a few times, and the typical thought behind it is that every pastor will eventually… Read More »A Passage for a Pastor Called to an Established Church
The life and teaching of Christian leaders plays a part in the salvation of those who hear us (1 Tim 4:16). It’s important that we… Read More »How to Preach So That Disciples Persevere: An Example in Acts 14:21–22
Within Paul’s first missionary journey to the Gentiles in Acts 13–14, Luke gives two quick accounts in Acts 13:44–52 and Acts 14:1–7 to show the… Read More »Preach, Be Bold, Conversion, Repeat: The Cycle of Events in Acts 13:44–52 and 14:1–7
Two themes every leader should notice in Acts 13:44–14:7 are the Word and preaching boldly. As for the first theme, the Word is called “the… Read More »Christian Leaders Must Boldly Preach God’s Word
One of the reasons that God raised Jesus from the dead involves believers like you and me. Paul states, “And as for the fact that… Read More »God Raised Jesus for You
Acts records three times in gospel explanations that Jesus hung on a tree (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29). Why speak of a tree? Why refer to… Read More »Why a Tree and Not a Cross?
Paul was obviously an excellent preacher, and Acts 13:16–41 records the longest sermon by Paul in Acts. From the many things that we could learn,… Read More »6 Ways to Preach a Great Sermon: Learning from Paul in Acts 13:16–41
What follows below is a simple guide through Paul’s “word of exhortation” (Acts 13:15) to both Jews and Gentiles who listened in the synagogue in… Read More »A Survey of the Use of the OT by Paul in His Sermon in Acts 13:16–41
Christians are often hurt and confused when problems come up and a leader abruptly leaves. This kind of situation can involve a pastor leaving a… Read More »When Leaders Leave the Gospel Team: 7 Lessons for Us Today from the Story of John Mark
What pastor worth more than his weight in salt does not feel the daily pressure of pastoral anxiety? And how do we as pastors overcome… Read More »Overcoming the Daily Pressure of Pastoral Anxiety
In Acts 12:15, the Christians praying for Peter could not accept that Peter had somehow been released from prison (cf. Acts 12:6–11). When Rhoda announced… Read More »Do We Have Personal Angels?
I wrote last week on the desire to be a pastor, primarily from 1 Timothy 3:1, but also from other passages that shed light on… Read More »What Is the Call to Be a Pastor?
What does it mean to desire to be a pastor? Granted, this desire is only properly present and fulfilled when joined to a giftedness to… Read More »Every Pastor’s Greatest Desire
Over the last three weeks, I dished out the meat and potatoes of what made for a workshop that I presented a conference near my… Read More »Discipling Younger Men: A Personal Testimony
Note: This is part 3 of 3 of a series, “Discipling Younger Men.” Last week, we looked at five principles for discipling younger men. Here… Read More »More Principles for Discipling Younger Men
Note: This is part 2 of 3 of a series, “Discipling Younger Men.” Last week, we explored the ages of Timothy and Paul. They were… Read More »Principles for Discipling Younger Men
“If me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade…. And that’s the thing I… Read More »America’s Gay Messiah?
Note: This is part 1 of 3 of a series, “Discipling Younger Men.” This purpose of this post and the text two and is to… Read More »Paul and Timothy: A Prime Example for Discipleship