by Garris Elkins | Aug 9, 2017 | Church, Courage, Culture, Freedom, Future, Hope, Kingdom of God, Mercy, Promise, Spiritual Warfare
When life takes a dangerous turn people do not want a Barney Fife of Mayberry version of a police department, a spineless government or friends who turn their backs on them in a time of threat or impending conflict. The right for people to live a peaceful and...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 15, 2017 | Culture, Joy
I had something hilarious happen today. A private message came to me on my Twitter account regarding a video I shared. The person asked me, “How do you stay centered and stable. How is it done?” Assuming they were talking about spiritual things, I said, “By...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 12, 2017 | Courage, Culture, Five-fold, Future, Kingdom of God, Leadership, Promise, Relationships, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, Transition
There are times when I am asked to help churches make transitions in pastoral leadership. When meeting with the primary leadership team of a church in transition, I will three questions. 1. What kind of church do you have? I ask people to describe the relational...
by Garris Elkins | Jul 5, 2017 | Courage, Culture, Discipleship, Discipline, Fear, Forgivenss, Holy Spirit, Humility, Identity, Mercy, Pride, Reconciliation
It is always a dangerous game to judge a person based on rumor and second-hand information. I have stopped coming to any conclusion about someone unless I have firsthand information about them from personal interaction with them. The higher in public visibility you...
by Garris Elkins | May 25, 2017 | Change, Culture, Five-Fold Ministry, Reformation
Martin Luther had to nail his 95 Theses to the outside of the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. He did this because those inside were not yet willing to receive the transformation that a reformation of their thinking would produce. Reformers are currently nailing...
by Garris Elkins | May 3, 2017 | Church, Courage, Culture, Discipleship, Discipline, Forgiveenss, Identity, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Power, Relationships
The second chapter of John is filled with contrasts. It starts out with Jesus changing water into wine and ends with Jesus using a whip to clear out the moneychangers from the Temple. There seem to be two camps in the Church. On one hand, you have those who love a...
