Pastor Fortunato's Blog

Formation Takes Times

Here's what we don't do at Pilgrim. We don't have the youth programs of the churches down the road with the coffee bar and the stage lights. We don't bounce from sermon series to sermon series to keep things feeling relevant. Our worship isn't designed to give you an emotional

Scripture Is Not Decoration

Scripture was not given to decorate sermons. It was given to govern belief, instruct conscience, and direct life. When preaching moves away from thorough explanation of the text, authority subtly shifts—from the Word of God to what the pastor wants to talk about or what the crowd wants to

When Laughter Needs Permission

You ever notice some folks can't enjoy a good laugh unless they're the one delivering the punchline? Everything's funny when they're cracking jokes, but let somebody else bring the humor and suddenly it's "inappropriate" or "out of line." I've watched parents do this to their own children. Kid sees something

Stop Chasing Celebrity Preachers

Big Names, Little Obedience Nothing wrong with appreciating gifted preachers. Paul himself pointed people to his example. God gives the church pastors and teachers for a reason. But there's a dangerous pattern we need to call out. Every church has them. The folks who light up when a visiting preacher

Behind the Sunday Smile

Every Sunday, the same tragedy unfolds in churches across America. A family walks through the doors on Sunday morning with bright smiles, pressed clothes, and practiced greetings. They fellowship. They serve. They look like they've got it all together. Then they get in the car, and the mask comes off.

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