“Ever been in a season of life that seemed to lack forward momentum?” asks Jeffery Portmann “You’re doing everything you can to experience growth, maybe even repeating what’s worked before. But then there’s a moment … where what you expected, … Continue reading Slow-Motion Growth in a Fast-Paced World | Influence Podcast
A few weeks ago, I made a radical decision regarding social media. I was headed out the door for summer vacation but found myself in a bad mood because of Facebook arguments about the outrage du jour. Not wanting to … Continue reading Joy vs. the BUMMER Machine | Influence Magazine
In Ephesians 4:11–12, the apostle Paul writes, “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Pentecostals believe this fivefold ministry continues today. Any spiritual gift can be abused, however. And when it comes to the apostolic and the prophetic specifically, unfortunately, abuses are all too common. How, then, should Pentecostals develop the proper use of apostolic and prophetic gifts, even as they discern their misuse and abuse? That’s the question I ask Dr. Joseph Girdler and Dr. Carolyn … Continue reading Embracing the Apostolic and the Prophetic With Discernment | Influence Podcast
My wife Tiffany could tell something was wrong with me. We had just spent a day with the kids at the local amusement park, Silver Dollar City. (Tiffany calls it “Steal Your Dollar City.”) The weather was perfect, the ride lines were short, the food was delicious, and the kids had a great time. And yet, my face gave away my inner turmoil. “What’s wrong, honey?” Tiffany asked. “My emotions are off,” I replied. “I’m not responding emotionally as I should.” The immediate cause of my unease was an exchange on Facebook. A friend posted about a national tragedy that … Continue reading 5 Lessons I Learned by Fasting Social Media | Influence Magazine
On any given day, an Assemblies of God pastor may read a scholarly commentary in preparation for Sunday’s sermon, counsel a church member who is experiencing an emotional crisis, and help a poor family in the community pay its bills. Pentecostal ministry is holistic, in other words. It encompasses what we believe, what we feel and how we behave — our head, heart and hands, respectively. The biblical foundation of this holism is the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:34–40). Asked to name “the greatest commandment in the Law,” Christ Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18: “‘Love the Lord … Continue reading Head, Heart, and Hands: Three marks of a holistic Pentecostal ministry
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