Joseph Mattera

Joseph Mattera

Op-ed Contributor

11 ways pastors are abused

Betrayal is perhaps the most challenging part of the job for pastors. Every pastor I know has been betrayed by people they thought were loyal to them but forsook them without notice or explanation.

11 ways pastors are abused

5 snapshots of the Great Commission

I believe every local church should have a faithful presence in its community. This also involves holistically ministering to the practical and material needs of the people the way Jesus did.

5 snapshots of the Great Commission

7 ways true shepherds protect the flock

Consequently, the context indicates that true shepherds should protect the flock from the misleading influence of both false shepherds and prophets.

7 ways true shepherds protect the flock

Racism, abortion and the implications of the sanctity of human life

I believe that the current conversations regarding mass shootings, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, and slave labor should also lead us to dig down further and reexamine the abortion debate. All these issues are inexplicably connected through the implications of the imago Dei which should frame our view of the sanctity of human life, both pre-birth and post-birth.

Racism, abortion and the implications of the sanctity of human life

13 things the Church can learn from the LGBT community

Whether you agree with their lifestyle, you have to respect how LGBTQ activists have fundamentally transformed American society in one generation. Inversely, during this same time, Bible-believing Christians and their values went from being in the mainstream of society to a shunned minority.

13 things the Church can learn from the LGBT community

Why abortion is a Gospel issue

I contend that we cannot separate abortion and the pro-life position from the Gospel. God made humans in His image and likeness, and Jesus’ innocent blood was shed to redeem believers (Genesis 1:28). Therefore, the shedding of innocent human blood is an affront to God because His Son’s precious blood was spilled to save the life of fallen humanity.

Why abortion is a Gospel issue

7 biblical models of Kingdom advancement in adversity

Noah spent decades building an ark after God warned him concerning events that were not yet possible in his contemporary ecosystem (a deluge of rain causing a universal flood). Consequently, he became a social outcast while constructing a boat to save his household (Hebrews 11:7).

7 biblical models of Kingdom advancement in adversity

8 lessons learned from the Hillsong scandal

Many of the Hillsong churches, including NYC, were built upon the mega personalities of their lead pastor. Whenever a church is built upon one person’s charisma and influence, it becomes dangerous because its foundation dissipates if that pastor resigns.

8 lessons learned from the Hillsong scandal