MY ANSWER

I've always enjoyed that old hymn about Ezekiel, and how "them dry bones" came together and made a whole skeleton. What is it supposed to mean?
Billy Graham writes, "This grand old spiritual is based on a vision God gave to Ezekiel, recorded in the 37th chapter of the book that bears his name."

MY ANSWER

Why should I bother with church? I don't need to go to church to be a good Christian, do I?
Billy Graham writes, "[God] wants to make you more like Jesus. But this won't happen if you are isolated from other Christians. You need them—and they need you."

MY ANSWER

Why don't churches try to get some of their members to visit lonely people in nursing homes?
Billy Graham writes, "Some churches do have programs to reach out to those who are in nursing homes or other facilities where people may not have many visitors. ... But I'm sure much more could be done."

MY ANSWER

One man told me they need someone with my business skills on the governing board of our church, but is this a good enough reason for me to run?
Billy Graham writes, "No, in my view it is not a sufficient reason. ... The Bible is clear: God's work requires godly leadership."

MY ANSWER

I accepted Jesus into my life, and now I'm getting involved in a church. They want me to be baptized before I join. Why?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sure your pastor would be happy to explain why it is important for you to be baptized—not just as a requirement for church membership, but because of its spiritual significance."

MY ANSWER

Our church has a new pastor, and recently he gave us a whole list of changes he'd like to see us make - some very radical. How can we tell him that he needs to slow down or he's going to lose a lot of support?

MY ANSWER

Recently, our church had a retreat, and the speaker said (among other things) that the greatest need in America's churches today is spiritual revival. Would you agree with him?

MY ANSWER

I don't understand my aunt and uncle. They're very devout people and go to church every time the doors are open, yet they're very judgmental about members of our family who don't live the way they do. No one likes them, and yet they're constantly telling us we are lost and need Jesus. I thought Christians were supposed to be kind and loving.

MY ANSWER

This Easter, I felt kind of a tug in my heart to give God a bigger place in my life. How do you suggest I go about doing this?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm thankful for that 'tug' toward God you felt in your heart—and I want to assure you that it didn't happen by chance. Instead, God gave it to you, and right now He is drawing you to Himself."

MY ANSWER

I have a friend who's constantly trying to get me to go to his church, and he finally admitted to me that the reason is because he is convinced I won't go to heaven unless I belong to his church. Where does he get this?
I don't doubt your friend's sincerity - but the Bible doesn't teach that God's salvation is limited to only one particular church or denomination.

MY ANSWER

Our 16-year-old son absolutely refuses to go to our church with us. He and some friends have started going to another church that has a youth-oriented service they like, but I hate to think our family will no longer be sitting together in church. Should we insist he come with us?
I don't know your whole situation, of course - but I suspect your son would resist (and resent) any effort on your part to make him turn his back on his friends and be with you in your church.

MY ANSWER

Our church is looking for a new pastor, and I've been put on the search committee (something I've never had to do before). Our first task is to come up with a description of the kind of person we should look for. What advice would you give to a committee like ours?
Our church is looking for a new pastor. What advice would you give to us?

MY ANSWER

I used to be a Christian, but I grew very tired of all the bickering in the church I was attending and I don't have any faith now. What would you say to someone like me? I'd like to believe in God but right now I don't.

MY ANSWER

I have a lot of health problems now, and it's very difficult for me to get to church. Even when I go I can't hear. Do you think God will be upset if I just watch a service on television? I'll miss going, but I don't see any alternative.
I've faced a similar situation as I have grown older.

MY ANSWER

My husband and I are upset because our church is talking about a campaign to raise an enormous amount of money for a new building. We think the old building is sufficient for our needs. The first Christians didn't even have church buildings, did they?
You're right up to a point; the first Christians were few in number and often persecuted, and only later were they able to construct church buildings.

MY ANSWER

My parents got very upset with me when I decided to leave our old church. The reason I did it is because last year I gave my life to Jesus, and the church I'm going to now is really helping me grow spiritually. How can I explain this to them? I don't understand why they're so upset.
Have you tried to put yourself in their shoes?

MY ANSWER

I really want to serve God, but I don't know how. Just showing up at church doesn't seem like much, but what else should I be doing?
Almost every church I know depends on volunteers to help carry on its ministry - from singing in the choir or keeping the nursery, to leading a Bible study or helping in the church office.

MY ANSWER

I have a good friend who, I think, truly believes in Jesus, as do I. But she says she's afraid I won't be in heaven with her, because she believes her church is the only true church, and you have to belong to it in order to be saved. What can I say to her?
Our salvation depends solely on Christ, and what He has done for us through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

MY ANSWER

I'm on a committee to nominate new officers for our church, and I'm concerned because we're considering a couple of people whose only qualification seems to be that they have a lot of money to give. I know we need the money, but shouldn't we be looking for more than this?
When the first Christians needed to find leaders who could take care of practical matters, they were told to seek individuals "who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3).

MY ANSWER

I have no doubt about my uncle's faith, and he's one of the finest men I know. But he's a very shy person and never goes to church. He says he just doesn't like crowds, and gets all the spiritual nourishment he needs by watching church services on television. Is he wrong?
The easiest path in life isn't necessarily the best path ...