Darryl Dash's Blog, page 55

When Pastors Declare Victory Too Soon

I came across an article I submitted to Leadership Journal twenty years ago. Leadership Journal, now defunct, was legendary back then, and not just for the comics (the first thing I’d read). Unlike other periodicals, I kept them. I had a row of them in my library.

I submitted an article called “The Youngest Member.” It was about me, a young pastor then, leading an older church.

They turned me down.

I opened the document again recently out of curiosity, and was pleasantly surprised. ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Yes, Preaching Really Does Change People

The faithful preaching of God’s Word accomplishes much.

Ephesians 2 Wrecked My View of Preaching

When we open the Word of God to the people of God, our longing is that Christ himself would come and make himself known to the hearts of those listening—that he would be preaching, and that he would be what people remember.

Pastor – Preach with Understanding

Pastors should be men who live in the world b...

Has Everyone Gone Crazy?

“Has everyone gone absolutely crazy?” my friend asked.

I understood where he was coming from. In the past couple of years, we’ve seen prominent pastors discredited, polarization within the church, and an increased focus on politics. I’ve watched with alarm at many developments. It’s hard not to get a little disillusioned.

But disillusionment isn’t the answer. The answer’s to refocus on three things: our ultimate hope, faithful dead guys, and unknown servants.

Our Ultimate Hope

I ofte...

Saturday Links

Podcast: I enjoyed talking to Ashley Hales about her book A Spacious Life on Gospel for Life podcast.

Curated links for your weekend reading:

I Searched for the Key to Discipleship

Once I realized that the people around me were showing me how discipleship works, I started to see it everywhere.

Live Near Your Christian Friends and Family

Christians should default to choosing where they live based on Christian community.

Men, Are You Submissive?

Submission is not a female virt...

I Can’t Get Over the Privilege

Over thirty years in, I can’t get over the privilege of being a pastor.

I still remember the day I took note of this verse:

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Book Launch: If you missed my book launch on Thursday night, you can watch the recording here.

Before You Leave Organized Religion

When you see those deconstruction stories and pleas to leave institutionalized religion behind, don’t buy into the deception. God himself instituted these gifts.

Bending the Covid Bow of Bronze: One Pastor’s Struggle Toward Hope in God

There might be another answer to my dilemma of either being not called to mini...

8 Habits for Growth Launch Party

Please join me to celebrate the launch of 8 Habits for Growth. A brief author reading, some Q&A, lots of prizes, and fun!

The livestream will take place on Thursday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Visit Facebook or watch the livestream below at the scheduled time.

Bring Back Foxe’s

There’s nothing like reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs as a teenager.

Want an easy life? Foxe’s will cure you of that expectation. Beginning with Stephen, and continuing for some 2,500 pages, you will learn that following Jesus will may include suffering or worse.

The descriptions are stark. The pictures are worse. Historian Douglass Campbell writes, “Those who could read for themselves learned the full details of all the atrocities performed on the Protestant reformers; the illiterate co...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Podcast: I enjoyed talking to Reagan Rose about making time on the Gospel for Life podcast.

Beware the Sin of City Planners and Pastors

Your job isn’t just to bring God to these people. Your job is to recognize how God is already moving among them. The ministry doesn’t need your plans as much as it needs your attentiveness and your support.

The Ministry of Being a Little Bit Further Along

What most people need and long for as they face trial...

The Death of Porn

The Death of Porn is unlike any other book I’ve read.

First, it’s a very personal book — a series of letters — written by Ray Ortlund. If you don’t know Ortlund, read this article about him, watch one of his sermons, or check out his podcast for pastors. If you’re looking for a cold, dispassionate book, look elsewhere. Ortlund begins this book with a personal letter to the reader. It’s a book characterized by warmth, intensity, and hope.

That hope also sets this book apart. You’d e...