Last week, an elder of a different congregation called for some advice on a situation he was facing, and that conversation turned into a wonderful, broader conversation on the function of elders in church and the dynamic between elders and ministers. That discussion brought to mind something I had read in this book by Paul … Continue reading The Power of a Confessing Community
Author: rustytugman
I am a husband, father, preacher, and leadership trainer. I have the great privilege of serving a wonderful church family at the Alameda Church of Christ in Norman, OK, as well as being a Professional Learning Facilitator for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. I have graduate degrees in ministry and administrative leadership.
This blog provides a platform to share some thoughts about Scripture, church, ministry, leadership, current events, books I'm reading, and baseball. Thanks for joining me!
Another Life Change
A lot has changed in my life over the last two years. I lost my Dad... Along with two uncles who also had a profound impact on me. I lost a little bit of my identity as a result... Along with some security. I lost a sense of normalcy... Along with everybody else in the … Continue reading Another Life Change
Good Friday
From William Willimon: Despite our earnest efforts, we couldn't climb all the way up to God. So what did God do? In an amazing act of condescension, on Good Friday, God climbed down to us, became one with us. The story of divine condescension begins on Christmas and ends on Good Friday. We thought, if … Continue reading Good Friday
The Great Reversal of Jesus
The way in which Jesus Christ accomplishes our restoration, redemption, and reconciliation with God is sometimes referred to as "The Great Reversal." John Calvin once expressed the beautiful paradox of Jesus' Great Reversal like this: He was sold, to buy us back; captive, to deliver us; condemned, to absolve us; he was made a curse … Continue reading The Great Reversal of Jesus
How the Crucifixion & Resurrection Display The Wisdom of Jesus
As we make our way to Easter Sunday this week, I share the following section of Tim Keller's new book on the resurrection of Jesus... Jesus' death and resurrection not only brings in salvation but also constitutes the ultimate refutation of the world's wisdom. Let's do a thought experiment. Assemble some business and political consultants … Continue reading How the Crucifixion & Resurrection Display The Wisdom of Jesus
What the Church Does
Here's an important article from John Whittaker... I was having a conversation about Matthew 28:19–20 and the mission of the church with two men who had Bible College degrees and a decade’s worth of ministry behind them. And like so many pastors today, they had misunderstood that well-known text. They thought the Great Commission was … Continue reading What the Church Does
The Walk
In my daily Bible reading, I am working my way through the letters of John. Today's reading was 1 John 2:1-6, and I invite you to sit with this passage for a little bit and examine your walk with Christ. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not … Continue reading The Walk
“You Are My Lord”
Whenever I need a reminder of the life that God offers, the blessings that are in life with God, and the ways in which God works in my life, one of the places I turn to is Psalm 16. That relatively short psalm provides perspective and restores hope whenever both are running low in my … Continue reading “You Are My Lord”
1 Quote That’s Inspiring Me Right Now
4 Observations about Leaders
In my role as a leadership and performance development facilitator/trainer with Oklahoma Human Services, I have the opportunity to have regular conversations with leaders from all across the state. These leaders are smart, capable, passionate, conscientious; and they perform very important tasks with a high level of competency and character. But they are also tired. … Continue reading 4 Observations about Leaders
