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Stephen Witmer

Stephen Witmer is the pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship in Pepperell, Massachusetts, and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the cofounder of Small Town Summits, an organization that serves rural churches and pastors, and has written A Big Gospel in Small Places. He and his wife, Emma, have three children.

Eternity Changes Everything

Eternity Changes Everything

All Christians go to heaven. But some leap and stride into paradise from their deathbeds — peaceful, confident, and happy. Others limp and shuffle — clinging, denying, and frightened. Why the difference? In my experience, it’s what they know (or…

Jesus Between the Criminals

Jesus Between the Criminals

Crucifixion in the ancient world was intended to take as long as possible. No vital organs were damaged, so it took two or three days to die, often from shock or asphyxiation, as muscles used for breathing grew weak. Luke…

Four Checks for Your Ebola Fears

Four Checks for Your Ebola Fears

Having recently returned from a two-week ministry trip to Uganda, here’s the question I’ve been wrestling with: When does concern about Ebola become disobedience to Jesus’s command not to fear in Luke 12:4?

Are You a Superstitious Calvinist?

Are You a Superstitious Calvinist?

John Calvin uses a surprising term to describe our neglect of the doctrine of God’s providence in the course of our everyday lives. He calls it superstition. Superstitious people wrongly attribute supernatural power to things that do not actually possess…

Parents, You Can’t Build Heaven Here

Parents, You Can’t Build Heaven Here

Some of us expect our children to be heaven for us. Others expect to build heaven for them. We’re called to parent our children toward eternity.

Will I Be Single Forever?

Will I Be Single Forever?

Singleness sometimes comes with long periods of waiting. One key to waiting well is to fix our eyes on the stunning future ahead of us with Jesus.

The Honest Truth About Passive-Aggressiveness

The Honest Truth About Passive-Aggressiveness

Passive-aggressiveness pretends to spare us conflict and save us from any personal responsibility.

Questions to Ask Before We Gossip

Questions to Ask Before We Gossip

Gossip is one of the most pervasive and destructive sins in the church today, but it’s also one of the hardest to define — and easiest to justify.

Gossip Says More About Me

Gossip Says More About Me

We gossip because of what gossip promises to do for us. But the fulfillment gossip offers us can only be found in Jesus.

Kindness Changes Everything

Kindness Changes Everything

Kindness is no small thing. It yields marvelous fruit both in our lives and the lives of those around us.

What Does TV Say About Sex?

What Does TV Say About Sex?

Sex education class is in session constantly through our media, and much of it is deceptive. We have to ask how much we’re listening.

Do Not Hope in Kings

Do Not Hope in Kings

Are you wondering how Jesus would respond to this election cycle? Pay close attention to how he acted toward the ruling authorities of his own day.

Unless God Works, We Work in Vain

Unless God Works, We Work in Vain

How Grace Levels Laziness and Pride

Some of us are tempted to work as if God does nothing and we do everything. Others act as if he does everything and we do nothing. Grace unlocks a better way.

Millions Will Eat, But Miss the Point

Millions Will Eat, But Miss the Point

Millions of Americans will sit down this week before a splendid Thanksgiving dinner, but will not notice God at all or think to give him thanks.

Are You Bored with Christ at Christmas?

Are You Bored with Christ at Christmas?

If we’re bored with Christ at Christmas, it may be that we’ve grown too familiar with him in all the wrong ways.

To Us a Child Is Born

To Us a Child Is Born

To a people waiting in darkness, enslaved to sin, in need of rescue, a child is born.

What Really Matters in 2017

What Really Matters in 2017

Reality is infinitely more precious than appearance. Our desire simply to look good should remind us of the surpassing value of real good.

You Are Welcome Here

You Are Welcome Here

What Your Church Says to the World

You don’t need gorgeous buildings, or state-of-the-art ministries, or phenomenal music to bring glory to God.

Stop Dating Jesus: We Know He Will Come, Just Not When

Stop Dating Jesus

We Know He Will Come, Just Not When

Jesus’s return is not a puzzle to figure out, but a promise from God to trust.

How to Lose the Things You Love

How to Lose the Things You Love

The best way to enjoy food, sex, music, money, influence, entertainment is to enjoy them less than God. Put the gift before God and you’ll lose both.

Put God Back in the Golden Rule

Put God Back in the Golden Rule

Jesus’s Golden Rule cannot be domesticated and downsized to the equivalent of an insurance aphorism or a fortune-cookie slogan.

To Faithful Pastors in Forgotten Places

To Faithful Pastors in Forgotten Places

If you are a faithful pastor in a forgotten town, you really can change and reshape the world.

Sunday Morning Is Not About Me: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness

Sunday Morning Is Not About Me

The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness

As we look away from ourselves in worship, to gaze upon God, we will find the gift and treasure of Psalm 33 — true, lasting joy.

Meal Above All Meals: Five Reasons We Enjoy Eating with Jesus

Meal Above All Meals

Five Reasons We Enjoy Eating with Jesus

Has the Lord’s Supper become humdrum for you, something you do mindlessly, something you’ve simply done for years?

The Secret Small Churches Know Best

The Secret Small Churches Know Best

Small churches may not have the best musicians, children’s ministry, or website. But they have a unique gift from God.

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