Over at The Gospel Coalition, recently, Erik Raymond chronicled an encounter with a non-Christian friend who had been visiting a church for a while but then decided to not go back. In the conversation that ensued, this “seeker” said he grew tired of the church experience being too shallow. In response, Raymond wrote: This makes me ask uncomfortable questions. Why are they doing this? Who are they doing this for? Why the music? Why the teaching? Why the whole production? Is Wilson right . . . is this whole thing not for the seekers after all but for the consumer-minded Christians? Are we … [Read more...] about The Seeker and the Church
Anticipating Eternity
“For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ~Jesus, Luke 22:18 In Luke 22, Jesus was spending his final hours with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. During this time, he shared with them a Passover meal and took from it the bread and wine and gave them something new: a memorial supper. Some call this The Lord’s Supper others Communion—whatever our term, ever since in the church we have taken the bread and the cup and remembered what Jesus did for us in offering up his body and pouring out his blood on the … [Read more...] about Anticipating Eternity
“Sex and the Single Christian”—a response
Cards on the table, here we go: I write this as a 36-year-old virgin. Believe me, I understand that a lot of people in this world think that idea is weird (and they probably think that I’m weird, too). But, you know what, that’s okay. I recently was engaged to be married in a couple of months and I am happy to be able to share that most physically intimate part of myself with just one beautiful lady. Why write about this? Because under the guise of the Christian faith, the Washington Post published an article recently by Bromleigh McCleneghan entitled: Sex and the single Christian: Why … [Read more...] about “Sex and the Single Christian”—a response
Holy and Blameless
It can happen to us all. We come to faith in Jesus and experience the joys of salvation, ready and eager to do what we can to serve others and share about the love we have experienced. And then we hear the voices, the crippling accusations. God could never use a person who has done the things you have. If they only knew what really went on in your mind, they would never accept you. You will never truly be good enough for God. And so those first tastes of joy begin to turn sour in our mouths. We pull back from serving. We keep quiet about the gospel. We neglect the relationships that … [Read more...] about Holy and Blameless
Why do we teach?
As much as we gather to sing praises to God and to pray for one another, much of what we do as churches is to teach. This teaching takes different forms: large group, small group, and one-on-one. It uses different methods: sermons, Sunday School lessons, books, and videos. Yet, what is our goal in teaching? Paul wrote to Timothy, who he urged to stay on in Ephesus, to encourage the church and its teachers away from false and divisive teachings. They were to avoid clinging to “myths and endless genealogies” for such “breeds disputes” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). Rather, Paul urged “the instruction … [Read more...] about Why do we teach?
Red Cup Redux (or: missions giving must be in our blood)
It was about a year ago that us Southern Baptists learned a somber truth: our International Mission Board had been deficit spending for several years and selling property to try to make ends meet to support the almost 5000 foreign missionaries on the field. This was not sustainable and to break even the IMB would need to find a way to bring hundreds of missionaries back home. The shock rippled throughout our churches and challenges were issued. If we did not find a way to increase support to our missions organizations then we were going to lose many seasoned frontline troops in the war to … [Read more...] about Red Cup Redux (or: missions giving must be in our blood)
Happy Independence Day!
Here are a few Bible passages to remember as we celebrate the 4th of July, all from the NLT: Respect, love, fear: “Respect everyone, and love the family of believers, fear God, and respect the King.” (1 Peter 2:17) Pray for our national, state, and local leaders: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Be thankful for freedoms, physical and spiritual, … [Read more...] about Happy Independence Day!
Not Every Crisis Needs An Immediate Response
We’ve all been there, those moments when faced by the “tyranny of the urgent” (as some call it). Emergencies that pop up, fires that spark, which seem to demand that we spring into action at that moment. If we don’t, then some will think us uncaring or, perhaps worse, unable. So the weight of the urgent weighs heavy, especially for us in leadership positions. With Jesus we see a different model—someone who remained calm when the world seemed to fall down around him. Such calm was not a lackadaisical response from a cold heart or inept abilities. Rather, he showed the response of a person … [Read more...] about Not Every Crisis Needs An Immediate Response
Three Men and a Vote
This year the messengers of the Sothern Baptist Convention have the privilege of selecting one of three men for SBC president (who realistically serve two one-year terms). While no person is perfect and we’re all sinners, some saved by grace through faith, all three nominees seem to be men of godly character who love Jesus, love the church, and love the lost. Still, only one can secure the office, and as a messenger I have just a single vote to give. I have pondered and prayed about what I will do with my vote (this heightened by the fact that this is my first SBC I’ve been able to … [Read more...] about Three Men and a Vote
The Christian and the Arts
The Christian should be the person who is alive, whose imagination absolutely boils, which moves…because God made us to be creative. ~ Francis Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent I love writing stories. Ever since I was a little kid I would make up characters and play out a portion of their lives through pencil on paper. Even if I wasn’t writing stories, I would take my Legos and build different universes with different people and creatures and act out their stories within the jungle of the carpet. Still today I’ll write stories in my free time—a hobby, a way to de-stress, and a way … [Read more...] about The Christian and the Arts