The Hagerstown First Church of God

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

What does Jesus think about Homosexuality?

Is homosexuality a sin? It’s an age-old question, and there are people on both sides of the debate, each quoting their Bibles. How do we know who’s right? What would Jesus do if he were…

Shut down the bus tours: What older church members should really be doing

So how do you engage older church attendees… say people over age 50? The question’s been around a long time. And, as most church leaders could tell you, it’s a bit of a loaded question. It’s also a question I’m...Read More→

Single mums finding acceptance in church

The days of castigating unmarried women with kids are ending

4 Ways to Balance Leading the Church and Loving the Community

How do we both lead our church and love our community well? And how does this calling inform a church leader's priorities and daily schedule?

If God is Sovereign, Why Pray?

Prayer and evangelism are both part of God's plan.

Why Does God Want Me to Pray?

Prayer is a wild concept. Prayer is supernatural. Sometimes, it's even dangerous. But, I think we’ve so domesticated prayer that we’ve lost sight of its power.

Holy housing developments! How God is getting into construction

Cash-strapped churches are raising money by inviting developers to build pricey flats on their turf. Is this the promised land for faith buildings – or a deal with the devil?

When Pastors and Churches Pray, God Moves

If you're a pastor, you should certainly be striving for greater excellence as a communicator, as a leader, and as an organizer. You need a vision. You nee

Does God Want Me to Be Happy or Holy?

Does God want us to be happy or holy? John Piper explains how holiness and happiness are not at odds, but work together.

Holy Distractions: When God Interrupts Our Productivity

Distractions take us away from more important work. Interruptions can be fresh callings from God. How do we tell the difference?

The God Squad: Why do we pray?

People who are religious pray for the same reason that we breathe. It is a natural and...

How to Pray When It's Hard to Hear God

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 (NIV) The question popped out of the blue as I tucked ten-year-old Josh in bed. It’s funny how creative conversations somehow happen at lights-out. “How do you hear God talk to you?” Josh asked as I scrambled for a simple answer. “What does His voice actually sound like? How do you know whether it’s your imagination or God?” I detected a…

Why You Should Pray for 'God Winks'

7 Ways to Question God When You Pray

Who Will Give My Head Waters? Seven Reasons to Pray for Holy Tears

Tears, crying, and weeping are all a proper response to the God-ordained sorrow and pain we face. Just because God is sovereign doesn’t mean we ignore our pain.

How Do You Prepare to Pray? [Finding God Through Meditation]

What does Peter of Alcántara have to say how you should prepare to pray? Find out in today’s excerpt and reflection from Finding God Through Meditation. Of the Preparation Necessary to Prayer It will not be beside our purpose to handle all these parts severally; we will, therefore, first begin with preparation, which we did put first. …