Author Archives: Rick Wadholm

Preaching Christ and Helping Marriages

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

Marriage seminars and sermon series are all the rage. Churches seem to offer a regular smorgasbord of options intended to strengthen the family, but are we doing what we were intended to do? Is it the local church’s responsibility to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Pastor | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Psalm 1: A Devotional for the Wise

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

“That kind of person is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water. It always bears its fruit at the right time. Its leaves don’t dry up.” (Psalm 1:3 NIrV)  The wise are the “happy” and “blessed” … Continue reading →

Posted in Psalms | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Responding to Decline

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

How should the church, and we as ministers, respond to decline?  It seems our normal way is to try to be ever more inclusive (just look at many of the mainline churches in the North American context).  Is there perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Church | 3 Comments

Kissing in Church

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

The following is a six minute video where I introduce the idea of the “occasional” nature of epistles by describing the significance of Paul’s instruction in 1 Cor.16.20 to “greet one another with a holy kiss”.

Posted in 1 Corinthians | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Read More

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

For the last several years I’ve provided my congregation with several potential Bible reading plans included in our Sunday bulletin the first of the year: M’Cheyne Reading Plan (with several variables) and For Shirkers and Slackers. The former offers an … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Classes and Why I Love My Job

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

Excited about a few courses I’ve designed being added to the catalog (Lord willing): BIBL 336 The Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings) – 3 credits Students will analyze the accounts of Israel’s story as recorded in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Using the Dirty "E" Word

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

You know the word…”ecumenical”. At least, I always used to think it was a dirty word. What does it mean to be “ecumenical”? It refers (in my usage) to Continue reading →

Posted in Church | Tagged | Leave a comment

Testimony as Embedded Proclamation

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

Here is a bit from one of my graduate students (used by Matt Payne with permission) on engaging postmodernism as a Pentecostal church and preacher. How does one engage those who, at best, question the notion of the meta-narrative? How … Continue reading →

Posted in Testimony | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cultivating Pastoral Friendships

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

I have discovered that several things seem incredibly important for church and pastoral health…developing relationships with those outside your church. Several things which I’ve seen bear fruit in my own life and ministry might be of help to others.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Pastor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

More on Rural Churches

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Rick Wadholm

“Think Theology” has offered another thought provoking post on what is involved in rural pastoral work.  Specifically, Pastor Able Baker (in BC) has mentioned four things imperative (to my estimation) for successful rural pastoral ministry (HERE). The only thing I … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Pastor | Tagged , | Leave a comment