So, you believe in the need for church discipline, ehh? How strong is your belief? __________________________ Hey William - Will - come on in. I think you know everyone. We're having to meet in the library tonight. The preacher, over on your left, offered us the use of his office, but there just weren't enough chairs. Coffee? No? Well....I guess we'll just jump right into this. I asked the pastor if I could be the one to lay this out for you. We've been through a lot, you and I, and I thought it was only fair that I be the one to, um, do this. Will, there's been a lot of … [Read more...] about Could You Do It?
Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #3: Faithful Biblical Application Builds Faith The aim of God-centered, exegetically-sound biblical application should ultimately be what Wayne McDill identifies as “a faith response” (12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, 187-198). While pastors discuss the many and varied purposes of preaching, “the fundamental objective of preaching remains faith.” McDill explains: The overarching aim of preaching is to call for faith in the hearer. . . the focus of preaching must be the object of faith, the person of God. The preacher enhances … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Habemus Papam?: Some Observations from Church History
As popes go, Jorge Bergoglio seems to be a nice enough guy. He is from Latin America: a mark in his favor, in my book. He appears to have strong convictions on important moral, ethical, and social issues. He seems to prefer a simple lifestyle, at least in comparison to a lot of the pomp and circumstance that normally goes along with the office of priest/bishop. He even, from what I gather, appears to be on comparatively friendly terms with Evangelicals. All fine and well. Only time will tell what his legacy in the role of supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church will be. Seemingly lost … [Read more...] about Habemus Papam?: Some Observations from Church History
John 3:16, Calvinistic Traditionalists & Evangelism Conferences
This article, with minor changes, was originally posted at From Law to Grace. You can also find From Law to Grace on Twitter and Facebook. Sitting at the Baptist Convention of New Mexico's Evangelism Conference in Albuquerque last week, I was reminded yet again why I describe myself as an "Calvinist Traditionalist," someone who agrees with Reformed Theology (i.e., the Doctrines of Grace, TULIP, etc.), but who does not always strictly preach or practice in conformity with said doctrines and theology. Perhaps the clearest example of my own Calvinistic Traditionalism manifests itself when I … [Read more...] about John 3:16, Calvinistic Traditionalists & Evangelism Conferences
For your reading pleasure…
I'm doing something a little different with this post. Most of what I have to say is going to be contained in an attached .pdf file. (file here: follow) The church I pastor is smallish (60-90, any given Sunday) in a small town (1700 peeps), so needless to say we don't have the resources (read $$$$) to purchase a lot of outreach materials. So, what happens is I end up writing some homemade tracts, pamphlets, booklets, etc. Then we print 'em and hand 'em out. Good thing I actually like writing, when I have time... :) This April, I've put together a sermon series for my church, simply … [Read more...] about For your reading pleasure…
Remember Me?
Due to reasons that are beyond my control, I've been unable to write or even monitor the blog the last few days. I hope to get back into the swing of things tomorrow, though the internet is out at my home (one problem among many) and I don't know how to get it fixed. … [Read more...] about Remember Me?
Suggested Resources for Family Ministry
I recently had a dear friend ask me to give him a few resources for implementing a family ministry structure in the church that he pastors. I thought that perhaps others might benefit from the list I provided. Conceptual: “Our church wants to begin doing family ministry”. That sentence can mean any number of things. The people in your church probably have differing ideas as to what actually constitutes family ministry. That is why you need to have a season where everyone gets on the same page as to what family ministry actually consists of. The most helpful book for doing this is3 Views … [Read more...] about Suggested Resources for Family Ministry
Why Our Marriage Retreat is Not “Practical”
Early on in our marriage my wife and I attended several marriage conferences. Our marriage was not on the fritz or anything like that. We loved each other deeply but we needed some assistance in how to do life together. Seldom did these marriage conferences have lasting results. They gave us a few practical tips to take home and apply but within a few weeks our marriage slipped back into our natural way of doing things. What was seldom addressed in these conferences was my heart. Oh, there was the obligatory session on making Jesus central in your marriage. But this was usually nothing more … [Read more...] about Why Our Marriage Retreat is Not “Practical”
Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #2: Biblical Application Demands Thorough Exegesis Unfortunately, God-centered application does not spontaneously appear in the sermon-preparing process. It demands thorough exegesis, exegesis that does not stop digging until sound, biblical application is unearthed. To this end, Douglas Stuart has aptly stated that application “should be just as rigorous, just as thorough, and just as analytically sound as any other step in the exegesis process” (How Sermons Work, 111). Until application has been made, exegesis is not complete. … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. Dear Missions Participant, If you are a pastor, leader, or a participant in missions here are some words of encouragement. I have had to filter these through my heart as well. This post rose out of a quick vision trip I took to Guatemala to work with a reputable organization. 1. Why are you going? This is the first question to ask oneself. Is the trip for my agenda and me, or for Christ? The answer to the question may not be easy to ascertain, but true contemplation may … [Read more...] about What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)