The book of Leviticus is difficult to digest for most of us. Many of my own attempts to read through the Bible from beginning to end, came to a sudden stop in the rules, regulations, and litigious language of Leviticus. Consequently, there are some very interesting pieces of information that often get overlooked. One such detail is the “Azazel,” or “scapegoat.” There were...
I love the Bible. One of my greatest joys in life is studying, preaching, and talking with those who are interesting about the Word of God. I love all of the Bible, Old and New Testament alike. I confess, I struggle with much of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, but I understand their importance to understanding and participating in the work of God. As I’ve noted many times recently, “All...
The COVID pandemic was a difficult season, for a variety of reasons. The world became a medical research project that played out in real-time in our communities. We developed and employed new practices as we attempted to safely navigate a relatively unknown contagion. Within the walls of First Baptist Church, we installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the church, we made available and...
The Bible is the ultimate authority for followers of Jesus. Many times it is likened to a manual or textbook for living a righteous life. These are both helpful, if not woefully inadequate, analogues for what the Bible is and how it is meant to be used. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that...
There are a lot of significant stories within the overall Easter narrative. Several of these stories have well-known titles and have individual days devoted to their memory. These include The Triumphal Entry which is celebrated on Palm Sunday, The Last Supper which is celebrated on Maundy Thursday, The Crucifixion which is remembered on Good Friday, and The Resurrection which is celebrated on...
One of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of being a pastor is trying to discern how much food to order for a church event. This was especially true when planning for youth and young adults. Young people fall onto an extremely broad spectrum when it comes to eating habits. There are those who nibble on the corner of a piece of pizza, eat two Cheetos, and drink a quarter bottle of water and are...
I’ve had the privilege of developing relationships with some amazing people throughout my 25 years in ministry. For most of that time, my family and I have lived far from home. In each of the churches we have served, God has graciously provided us with people who have welcomed us into their homes and adopted us into their families. These saints lived out the words of Hebrews 13:1-2, which reads...
It’s crazy how fast the severity of sin increases in the Bible. Before any of you theological purists start clutching your proverbial pearls, I understand that all sin is severe in God’s sight. But, I think it’s reasonable to recognize that there is a sliding scale of the scope and consequence of our wrongdoings, particularly in their impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. In...
They say that, “Confession is good for the soul.” So, let’s be honest with one another for a moment, shall we? For even the most dedicated and devout of Christians, there are certain passages of Scripture that we do NOT like. To be more to the point, there are things God has asked of us which we believe to be unfair, to say the least. There are adjustments to actions and attitudes that go beyond...
Our first family dog was a black Cocker Spaniel named Bridget. We gave her that name because it struck us as a posh name befitting such a bougie dog breed. She was a sweet little dog who, for the most part, would go with the flow. She was also every bit the spoiled princess. At no point was this more apparent than when we attempted to take her on a walk. While most dogs make a beeline for the...
Jeremy Myers is the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Seymour, Indiana, where he has served since 2017. He has over 25 years of experience in local church ministry and not-for-profit leadership. He has a passion for helping emerging and existing generations learn to make space for each other and caring for the under-served and marginalized. In 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, with his thesis focusing on developing connections between senior adults and youth in the church. He is a passionate and gifted communicator and is regularly invited to speak at retreats, camps, conferences, and other events. He lives in Seymour, Indiana with his wife Robyn, their two children, Mikayla and JJ, and their Golden Doodle, Evie.
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