A good friend who’d completed his Ph.D. a few years before I completed mine gave me advice that was, in hindsight, absolutely essential. He told me, “Whatever you do, pick a topic to write your dissertation on that absolutely captivates you; that will animate you day in and day out until you complete your dissertation.”

That advice is good for those entering doctoral work, but it is even better for those contemplating ministry. Unless you have a singular, overarching passion that will pull you forward in ministry, it may be best not to pursue it. That passion must be for the gospel and the Great Commission. Read more

Sharing the gospel is not an option for Christians. We are called to do so in Scripture. In fact, witnessing is a sign of true conversion, of spiritual growth, and of Christian obedience. I know of no better indicator of my own spiritual health than my personal pattern of evangelism. Read more