As peacemakers, we often think our job is to fix the “Ninevehs” in our lives—the people who have wronged us or the communities that stand for everything we oppose. But the story of Jonah suggests that the most difficult mission field is the eighteen inches between our own heads and our hearts.

Explore how Jesus united political rivals like Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector, inviting us to lay down our own ideologies to follow Him today.

Is spiritual clutter holding you back? Learn why “less is more” for your mental and spiritual health. Includes a 4-step challenge to help you declutter your home, your schedule, and your heart to find God’s peace.

If you’re a leader struggling with exhaustion, grief, or feeling like a “holiday hypocrite,” know that your struggle is normal. It’s time to acknowledge your feelings without shame. Let’s explore practical steps—like practicing authenticity, redefining joy, and setting boundaries—to help you find meaning and embrace the truth that God meets you exactly where you are, weary or joyful.

Overwhelmed by leadership pressure and Impostor Syndrome? This post for pastors, executives, and leaders explains why admitting “I don’t know” is essential for growth. Embrace a growth mindset, find peace in God’s continuous work, and remember the promise of Philippians 1:6: He who began a good work in you will complete it.

Exiled on Patmos after years of violence, the Apostle John penned the profound truth: “God is Love.” Discover the historical context and deep meaning behind this famous verse from 1 John 4:16.

A hotel worker walks into a Matthew 5:9 Fellowship gathering looking for a pastor—and leaves with Jesus. See how a surprise encounter renews faith in the sacred call to ministry amidst division.

Navigate life’s personal and societal storms with faith and peacemaking. Discover how to find common ground, extend empathy, and build deeper connections amidst disagreement, inspired by a miraculous survival story and biblical wisdom.

Embrace discomfort for personal growth and deeper connections. Learn how stepping into challenging situations, as a pastor or peacemaker, cultivates empathy, strengthens relationships, and leads to transformative experiences. Discover actionable ways to practice discomfort and foster true peace.

Life is often a winding journey where moments of clarity alternate with seasons of uncertainty. We all grapple with times when progress feels impossible and our paths are obscured by doubt or circumstance. Yet history and Scripture show us that being stuck is not a...

“Polarization” was 2024’s word. Learn how the simple act of curiosity can act as an inoculation against toxic division by promoting active listening, challenging assumptions, and building common ground.

Learn about the challenges of managing the “backstage” of ministry, inspired by the “Cave of Wonders” cleanup.

Political and social polarization infiltrates churches. Discover how a group of Christian leaders are learning to foster unity and peacemaking through a Gospel-centered approach.

Discover how Peter’s desire to skip suffering in Luke 9 mirrors our own, and why perseverance, not shortcuts, leads to true glory.

In a world fractured by polarization, find hope in the Prodigal Son’s journey. Learn how his return offers a model for reconciliation and restoration.

Discover the true nature of our spiritual battle from Ephesians 6:10-20. Learn why our mission is reconciliation, not conquest, and how to shift from warrior to ambassador for Christ.

Learn how Vanguard University and Matthew 5:9 Fellowship are fostering constructive political discourse, teaching students to identify hostile rhetoric and promote peacemaking.

Polarization in the workplace is certainly not a new topic. But what separates a leader from a manager when polarization is in play? Coworkers have disagreed on core subjects important to them and their own identities for years. But when normal disagreements become...

The Evangelical Covenant Church recently published a special interview with Pastor Denise McKinney and our own Pastor Anthony Archie! Denise is the founding pastor of The Well Church in Tulsa, OK, and she has been a vital part of the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship since its...

In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel was looking to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel. When Samuel met Eliab, he immediately made a judgment—“Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him” (1 Samuel 16:6). But God gently corrected Samuel. He told him that he had...

In 2007 Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel met together for a bilateral meeting in Sochi, Russia. This press conference, featuring Russia’s long-standing president and Germany's first female chancellor, was not unusual: clamoring gaggles of the press, stuffy-looking...

Editor's Note: We are privileged to feature a blog post by Rev. Robert Austell. This blog post first appeared on the website of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church. It has been republished here with permission from the author. THOUGHTS are powerful things. Indeed, Jesus...

SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 2:1-11 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same...

Our modern culture loves productivity. The most successful people in life, it seems, are those who are the most productive—doctors speed-walking from surgery to surgery or secret agents flying private jets from city to city. Every minute of their lives, it seems, is...

What does the recent superhero movie The Batman have to teach us about toxic polarization? Maybe that’s not the question you asked yourself as you walked out of the theater, but at the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship, we’re always looking for lessons that can bring us...

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” What does it mean to be called sons of God? In Jesus’ day, being someone’s son entailed more than one’s biological origin. It meant that you represented that person. Your...