November 27, 2012 7 Comments

Advent Readings and Lightings: Pastoral Preparations for the Coming Season

I wanted to give an aid for congregations and pastors, particularly those in free church backgrounds, who want to move away from the commercialization of the season to focus on the Incarnation. That is a hard sell to be sure. But the way to do it is Continue Reading

September 7, 2012

GIVING IT UP FOR GOD: Preservation and Risk in the Kingdom of God (Luke 17:32)

There Is a rather popular phrase (no doubt of spurious origin, although that is a guess!) that has come into the American vernacular. That phrase is, "giving it up…" One may "give it up" for a comedian as he comes on the stage to give his monologue. One Continue Reading

September 3, 2012

A Prayer for the Unity of the Tribes of the Church

they said, "O Lord, the God of Israel, why has this happened in Israel, that today there should be one tribe lacking in Israel?" (Judges 21:3 ESV) Oh Father, as the tribe of Benjamin in Judges 20 and 21, turned against Thee and Thy People and the blood Continue Reading

March 28, 2012

A Letter to a Friend in Ministry on Development

I recently received a letter from a friend with a request on thoughts about development. I sought to answer his questions and, in the process, think about our students and what they will face in expectations for stewardship in ministry. I share this with Continue Reading

January 24, 2012

Crawl Before You Preach: Advise from a Friend on Preparing Your Sermon (and your life)

I read this letter and begin to ask myself, "Milton, are you preaching with the twigs still in your hair and the smell of the earth still in your nostrils? Are you preaching with the dirt on your face?" Let me set the scene for you. There is a young man, Continue Reading

December 15, 2011

Christmas Eve Order and Bulletin Sample

Christmas Eve worship is one of the most beautiful and inspiring times in the life of a congregation and in the ministry of a pastor. The service may be seen by the pastor as challenging because everyone knows that you are going to say something about Continue Reading

May 27, 2010 Leave a Comment

Why I am a Pentecost(al) Presbyterian

I read the following story this week: “Erasmus, the famous Renaissance scholar, once told a classic story which was designed to emphasize how important it is that we take up the torch of Christ’s ministry with great commitment. In the story, Jesus Continue Reading

August 27, 2009 1 Comment

On Spiritual Gifts in the Church Today (1 Cor. 12)

I heard that the librarian of one of the greatest libraries in the world remarked: “We’re drowning in information and starving for knowledge.” I have come to learn in my life that it is not that I need more information, but greater insight on what I Continue Reading

August 17, 2008

Family Devotions, 1 John 5:13 and The Cottar’s Saturday Night

This entry originally appeared on The Call with Mike Milton. Visit there for more thoughts, reflections and resources.     he following letter is one that I wrote to my family following last night’s devotions, in which we studied 1 John. Our Continue Reading

March 18, 2008

“You are Simon…You Shall Be Called Peter: A ‘First Person’ Easter Sermon”

I preached the following sermon as a first person expository sermon from Luke 5.1-11; John 1.40-42; and John 20.1-10; 21.1-19. This Easter message I now offer to others for both edification and fodder for what will become better sermons in your pulpit. I Continue Reading