Joe and Jimmy talk about the danger of “comfortable Christianity.” How is comfort potentially at odds with the nature of the Christian life in the world? Is it fair to compare our desire for worldly comfort to the prosperity gospel? What's the difference between comfortable Christianity, and comforting Christianity? Plus, the guys are reading Covenant Children Today by Alan Conner, and Jimmy is taking off on a lake yacht.   OUR SPONSOR myXP is a ministry committed to solving problems for pastors. We provide the support of an Executive Pastor without the financial burden of employing one full time. We support lead pastors, strengthen systems and steward resources. How does it work? partners get a weekly 60 minute connect with an experienced Executive Pastor to outline current problems/challenges. The XP then goes to work solving these problems, and continues to work behind the scenes strengthening all the relevant systems. Your First Step: check out the website and schedule a FREE initial connect at myxp.church. Act now, and through the month of August you will receive 30% off the first month if you mention Doctrine and Devotion as the way you heard about myXP. This is a savings of $300 for church plants and $420 for existing churches.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/doctrine-and-devotion/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Joe and Jimmy are back talking about the doctrine of faith from the 1689 Confession, chapter 14, paragraph 2. In this episode the guys unpack how saving faith believes the Bible, values the Bible, obeys the Bible, and trusts in the Christ of the Bible. For all the links and show notes visit www.doctrineanddevotion.com/podcast/1689142Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/doctrine-and-devotion/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Joe and Jimmy discuss the common marks of abusive pastors and toxic leadership. What are the signs of leaders who will do harm to the church? Below are 10 symptoms of abusive leadership. Toxic Leaders: 1. Avoid Unaccountability 2. Lack transparency 3. Demonstrate an arrogant/elitist spirit 4. Manipulate members 5. Have a Messiah Complex (I am the savior) 6. Have a Martyr Complex (I am persecuted) 7. Are harsh in the discipline of members 8. Maintain a painful exit process of members 9. Hate on other churches 10. Require extra biblical behavior RESOURCES https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/155481-10-ways-to-spot-spiritual-abuse.html http://www.ministrybestpractices.com/2013/09/9-marks-of-abusive-church.html https://www.9marks.org/article/dont-be-a-9marxist/ For all the links and show notes visit www.doctrineanddevotion.com/podcast/abusiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/doctrine-and-devotion/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands