Local Church – Grace Gospel Press

ENCOURAGEMENTS FOR THOSE IN PULPIT & PEW, Pt. 1

by Dennis Rokser I believe that most pastors, like parents, feel deeply underappreciated by those whom they faithfully and sacrificially serve. And similar to parents who serve sacrificially their children for years with little thanks in return, you would have quit long ago if it depended upon the gratitude of others. Unfortunately, many are leaving the ministry each month due to discouragement, especially during the last two years, which I think personally have been the most difficult and challenging over [...]

Darrell Patterson2022-08-03T16:41:07+00:00August 3rd, 2022|

THE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON, Pt. 2

by Dennis Rokser The story is told that an older woman visited a church one day. As she entered the auditorium, she told the head usher/deacon, “I want to sit in the front row so I can hear every word the preacher speaks.” The usher/deacon thoughtfully replied, “Mam, I would not recommend that you do that but instead that you would find a comfortable seat in the middle or towards the back.” The older lady then retorted, “Why don’t you [...]

Darrell Patterson2021-06-27T14:30:19+00:00May 20th, 2020|

THE SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON, Pt. 1

by Dennis Rokser Turkeys are only interested in one thing: eating. They can’t fly, though they do try, but they can’t really get off the ground. Whenever you see them, they are just waddling here and waddling there—eating, but not flying. Unfortunately, many believers who attend local churches are like those turkeys. They waddle to church on Sunday morning to get fed the Word of God (though they might not get much “meat” these days), and when the service is [...]

Darrell Patterson2020-05-20T12:41:08+00:00March 13th, 2020|

THE DEACON: A SERVANT OF THE CHURCH, Pt. 1

by Dennis Rokser As we consider further the leadership struct-ure of the New Testament local church, let us search the Scriptures together regarding the nature, qualities, and role of a deacon. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise their wives must [...]

Darrell Patterson2020-01-14T19:06:13+00:00August 13th, 2019|

Introducing The Grace Institute Of Biblical Studies

by Dennis Rokser Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This article1 is designed to give you a brief introduction and explanation regarding the Grace Institute of Biblical Studies (otherwise referred to as GIBS). It had been the desire and prayer of the spiritual leadership of Duluth Bible Church for a number of years to see a ministry of this nature started at Duluth Bible Church. As a result of much prayer and planning, the G.I.B.S. [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:31:57+00:00March 31st, 2017|