An old Yiddish proverb says, “God gave burdens, also shoulders.” But have you ever felt that your shoulders were too weak to bear your burdens? This is one reason God has made the church a family—that we might bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Often, God gives us the privilege of helping to lift the burdens of others. Sometimes, God uses our shoulders to lift someone else’s burden.

While it is easy to see only our own needs, there are always people around us who are hurting. Sometimes we see their needs, and sometimes the needs are so personal we never even know about them. But whether a person’s need is known or unknown, everyone has burdens. And God gives a church the privilege of ministering to each other.

What can we do to lift the load of another person? Here are six simple ways: (more…)

A good relationship with a wise mentor is like having personal access to a goldmine. It’s an opportunity anyone would be foolish to not take advantage of! Proverbs 1:5 reminds us, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (See also Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 19:20; 20:5; and 27:9.)

But just as a goldmine must be discovered, wise mentors must usually be sought out. They don’t hold a sign reading, “I am a wise mentor!” (And if they do, they likely aren’t!)

So, what do you look for in a mentor? How do you discern between truly golden wisdom and fool’s gold? The Lord has blessed me with wise and godly mentors over the years. The following characteristics are descriptive of each of their lives and are what you can look for in a mentor: (more…)

One of the most frustrating things to watch is a sports team in which one individual wants to be the star—even at the expense of the team’s success. The famed football coach Vince Lombardi said, “The only true satisfaction a player receives is the satisfaction that comes from being part of a successful team, regardless of his personal accomplishments.”

The church is a team, and each person must yield his personal rights for the success of others and the cause of Christ.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:1–4)

Teamwork makes serving together enjoyable. First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

So what attributes make for great team players? (more…)

My prize possession as a boy was a Sting-Ray bicycle. Not only was my bike a source of pleasure and fun, but it was necessary equipment to my job as a paper carrier.

I was careful to maintain my bike, and I paid special attention to keeping the chain tight. With a taut chain, I could touch the pedal and immediately set the bicycle in motion. I knew right away when I needed to adjust the chain because it would slip while I was pedaling. I’d have to stop and remove a link to restore my bicycle’s responsiveness.

Effective communication is similar to a tight bicycle chain. It has tremendous ability to propel forward motion. Tight communication can ensure progress, while sloppy communication can bring incredible frustration—like spinning your pedals while the bike stands still. Communication can build a marriage, church, ministry, business, or friendship. And a lack of it can render otherwise skilled teams ineffective or at odds. (more…)

Yesterday marked what could be a day of celebration for thousands of churches around our country—Dr. David Gibbs’ birthday. Our staff was privileged to celebrate this special event during our annual staff training last week.

Dr. Gibbs was born August 22, 1944, in Alabama. He grew up on a farm in rural Ohio with godly Christian parents. As a young boy, Dr. Gibbs trusted Christ as his Saviour. After graduating from high school, he pursued a career in law. (more…)