There are two components to being a church that makes Sending Apostles a priority. The first component is nurturing, encouraging, and equipping people at Providence to become Christians who are open to hearing—and, then, saying Yes—to...
Read moreA Race Well Run
Randy Ballard is retiring on January 5. We’ve set aside a special day to celebrate properly his 23 years of ministry with us, but January 5 will be his last official day on staff at Providence. On the one hand, I imagine that you join...
Read moreA Break from Tradition
Warning: This Christmas letter is going to break with tradition. Typically, of course, the standard holiday letters we get from friends and family this time of year are filled with good tidings of great joy about all the amazing things that have...
Read moreOur Common Goal? The Common Good
In the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, God tells the Israelites living in Babylon “to seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah...
Read moreSummoning the Absolute Best
It’s just not possible, is it? There’s no way we can give 110 percent—of anything, to anything. Still, that’s never stopped coaches, teachers, bosses, and other performance-driven motivators from asking for it. “Give me 110 percent!” they’ll...
Read moreLet’s Hear from Those We’ve Sent to Share Good News
When Jesus gives parting instructions to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel, his first command is to “Go” (Matthew 28:19). Go out into the world and make new disciples for me. Go and baptize new believers...
Read moreWe Lift Each Other Up
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 The author of...
Read moreMinistering to Our College Students
I want to tell you about a Providence Will initiative involving our college students this summer—first, because I want you to know about it; second, because I want you to pray for it; and third, because I want you to support it. Beginning...
Read moreEvery Gift Matters Twice
For several years now at Providence, we’ve had an Anniversary Sunday custom of collecting a special offering as a kind of “birthday gift” to the church. We’ll do it again on May 19, with all “birthday...
Read moreListening for a Change
O Master, let me not seek as much ... to be understood as to understand.From the “Prayer of St. Francis” Just about everyone these days agrees that our collective ability to talk constructively and civilly with one another...
Read moreBetter Together
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3 A congregation that can worship together should worship together. Since 1966, Providence has regularly held two Sunday worship services, a practice that began...
Read moreOur Willingness to Share
God’s generosity to us last year—and our willingness to share it—gives us an opportunity to help our neighbors in need this winter. Let me explain how. Most of you have probably heard by now the good news that we finished last...
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