In my church we recently had a conversation that is part of what I see as a larger and worrisome attitude in the church at large (at least here in America). It’s the attitude that exalts the individual over the corporate body in our faith—the attitude that emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus over and against knowing Jesus together as His body. The conversation began when a gentleman was sharing in a small group about a witnessing opportunity he had. A woman he spoke with had faced some regrettably real hurts in a situation with a pastor, and she became turned off to church and … [Read more...] about What is a Church?
Hallelujah—Jesus is My Life, a devotion on Philippians
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain… Philippians 1:21 It’s hard to read a letter like Philippians and not envision the passionate pleadings of Paul to anyone who will listen. Everything that happens in life—all the pain and agony, all the joys and happiness, all the loss and gain, all the good and bad—everything is for a purpose. It all has a rhyme and reason. Sometimes we are able to see it clearly, other times we catch but a glimpse from the periphery, and still there are times where we don’t see it all. Yet it is there, that one singular reason, that one great hope beyond … [Read more...] about Hallelujah—Jesus is My Life, a devotion on Philippians
Quick Baptism, Slow Discipleship
There’s been some talk recently about some churches practicing “spontaneous baptisms” as a part of their services. Without getting into the validity of that specific practice, the largest complaint seems to be that quick baptisms like that downplay the significance of baptism and church membership. On the other hand, there are churches that require a person to jump through various hoops of lengthy classes and pastoral interviews before even allowing for baptism. After all, baptism is a first step of church membership, and to have a regenerate church membership you have to make sure the … [Read more...] about Quick Baptism, Slow Discipleship
Church Attendance: What Makes a Good Church Member?
Until he retired in 2002, my dad was a railroad man. As I was growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, he worked in the city 90 miles from where we lived, driving back and forth every night. His weekends were unusual—typically Tuesday and Wednesday—and he worked nights. This was hardly a 40-hour-a-week job as it was often fraught with late trains and mechanical problems requiring overtime. When he was at home he slept about four hours a day, and spent a good chunk of the rest of his time building various carpentry products to supplement his income. For most of my childhood, dad didn’t go to … [Read more...] about Church Attendance: What Makes a Good Church Member?
Biblical Requirements for Pastors: Older, Married, and with a Proven Family?
I want us to wrestle with an idea/question: when it comes to the biblical requirements for a pastor, should the pastor be an older man who is married and has a family that has proven faithful? Certainly throughout history there have been a plethora of younger men in the pastorate, we have plenty who post and read here. Some have young children, some are just beginning families, and some are single. (I fit into the young and presently single “category” of pastors). I’m sure that those who are younger all feel called into pastoral ministry…but as we know, desire is not enough. Through the … [Read more...] about Biblical Requirements for Pastors: Older, Married, and with a Proven Family?
Hiring Pastors: Is It Working?
In typical SBC life, when a church looks for a new pastor you go through the process of establishing a committee, collecting resumes, sorting through the resumes for a handful that have potential, then: ask questions, call references, listen to sermons on CDs or DVDs (or tapes, if we still know what those are), set up meetings, narrow it down to one resume, bring him in “in view of a call,” have a pot luck, Q&A, he preaches, church votes… maybe it’s not all in that order or maybe there’s a piece added or removed but that’s the general gist. (And particularly this is on my mind b/c I’m … [Read more...] about Hiring Pastors: Is It Working?
Our Cloud of Witnesses
So I’m gearing up to preach on Hebrews 12:1-2 here in a couple of weeks…going to talk about how life is a race and like all races we have to endure. This is a race that takes us through the entire course of our lives and involves everything from the shape our character to our families and jobs to the people we impact and ends only when we come face to face with Jesus. It’s not a race about finishing first (as if we even could, having millions who have finished before we were even born), it’s not about being fast, it’s not even about being graceful (some of the most faithful people have … [Read more...] about Our Cloud of Witnesses
Always Reforming
Some things I love about being a part of the SBC: 1) We have a great love for God’s Word. Admittedly, I wasn’t born when the Conservative Resurgence started; and I was a child when most of the meetings and changes occurred. I’ve merely been a beneficiary. But I have gotten to know some men and women who were there through it all and staked reputations and friendships on one main issue: the Bible. It’s a wonderful thing to be able to hear their words and learn their hearts, and to see the humility, the love for Jesus, and the love for his word. 2) We have a great love for missions. … [Read more...] about Always Reforming
Community–the primary apologetic
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you… 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) Ever since my high school days I’ve had a thing for apologetics. I used to debate non-Christians on various web forums over science, philosophy, and belief; then in college I belonged to a group some friends started called the Society of Christian Apologists and Philosophers (SOCAPS for short—it had a ring to it!). We took the Bible, Faith Has Its Reasons, and Mere Christianity as our main texts and sought to engage … [Read more...] about Community–the primary apologetic