And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…--Ephesians 4:11-12 Most of us are likely familiar with the term “evangelist.” Certainly we have heard about Billy Graham and his crusades, and if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church you likely experienced more than one “revival” in which an “evangelist” came and spoke. Maybe it even had musical evangelists. Much of our modern conception about evangelists ties to the notion of revivalism in evangelical church life, but … [Read more...] about Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
This may be one of those articles that I look back on 10 years (or 10 days) from now and regret. I think I may be flirting with the idea of tipping over a sacred cow of modern evangelicalism. I’ll show you my cards up front…I’m not sure a personal testimony is really as important as we make it out to be. With every church interview I have ever been a part of this question is inevitable…”would you please share your testimony”. Granted, it’s a good question. You want to know that the person you are considering for membership, leadership, or whatever is actually a believer. The motivation … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
On Word Christian Soldiers
A decade ago I dabbled in stand-up comedy. My humor was the weird kind that when the punchline came you could almost count the beats before the audience got the joke. Thankfully, most everyone in the crowd (all 17 of them on a good night) usually got it. One of my favorites from those days was, "What's the deal with those 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books? I saw one the other day, 'Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul.' What if your pet was a chicken?" 3...2...1...aaaaaaand cue the laugh track. I know I see the world differently than a lot of people. My skewed perspective means I … [Read more...] about On Word Christian Soldiers
Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches
I actually have nothing to say. I'm on the way to Omaha to pick up the world's cutest and most wonderful grandson ever (and I will not tolerate debate on this issue). But here's the challenge. Top that title! There is a large cash prize (I'll take a dollar bill and blow it up to an 11x17 sheet of paper and mail it to you) for the best potentially controversial blog title. My money is on Doug Hibbard. … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches
How to Evangelize with Church Signs
How do you best use your church sign to reach the community? Just say no. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, but it isn't easy to encapsulate that gospel on a church sign in such a way that the message isn't perverted or made trite and common. Every once in a while I read a church sign with a message that makes me smile or think. Much more often, my response is to cringe when I read the offensive, ridiculous, shallow or hackneyed phrases. Ed Stetzer posted a church sign at his blog today and it got me thinking. Here are some church signs that someone … [Read more...] about How to Evangelize with Church Signs
The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Originally posted at Modern March At the G5 summit in 2009, Dallas Baptist University professor and award-winning author Dr. David Naugle was asked: Why is Calvinism increasing in popularity, especially among younger pastors? (1.) Because it satisfies a deep longing for transcendence found in the sovereign God and His glory in the context of a culture swamped with purely immanent, this worldly cares and concerns. (2.) Because it provides a solid biblical and theological basis for counter-cultural cultural engagement and transformation, so that adherents can be against the world and yet … [Read more...] about The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Calvinistic Tension Headaches
Yep, I just dropped the C word. No matter what theological system you follow—or if you take the “I just follow the Bible” route—you will undoubtedly be faced with certain tensions. Your theology will cause those that differ to say, “yeah, but…” At the end of the day there is much in the Christian life that is mystery. There are many beliefs within Christian doctrine that must be held in tension. And no theological system is free from these tensions. Most people are Calvinist, Arminian, Calminian, whatever you want to call them not because they are idiots but because they are … [Read more...] about Calvinistic Tension Headaches
Why Can’t I Sit in Church?
There are several modern inventions I think are genius. The in-car GPS? Give that inventor a Nobel prize. And the DVR - wow! I get to fast forward through commercials. I can watch a soccer game in about 15 minutes, but just zipping through it until the score changes then watching the goal. Amazing. Recently, I got a smart phone - a Droid because everyone else says to get the iPhone. How did I live so many years without a smart phone? But there is one modern innovation that this aging pastor hates. I don't know who the low-down varmint was who came up with the idea that we have to … [Read more...] about Why Can’t I Sit in Church?
A Meditation on Life, Death, and Being a Nameless “Other”
And I will die alone, and be left there Well I guess I'll just go home Or God knows where Because death is just so full, and man so small I'm scared of what's behind, and what's before But there will come a time you'll see With no more tears And love will not break your heart But dismiss your fears Get over your hill and see, what you find there With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair --from Mumford and Sons, “After the Storm” Now, I wouldn’t count Mumford and Sons as a beacon of good theology (perhaps as an existentialist one), but these haunting yet hopeful lyrics … [Read more...] about A Meditation on Life, Death, and Being a Nameless “Other”
Yes, We’re Worse Than Broken; But I Still Use the Term. Response to Randy Newman.
It was with great joy that I read and reviewed Randy Newman’s book, Bringing the Gospel Home. There was one spot however that gave me pause. In his book Newman argues that, “if a tract or online presentation of the gospel only refers to our sin as ‘brokenness,’ we are misrepresenting the truth.” Newman then argues that using terms like brokenness makes it sound as if we are only victims when really we are the ones in rebellion and given over to idolatry. Late last week Newman expounded upon this point in his article “We’re Worse Than Broken”. He believes that the word is not helpful for … [Read more...] about Yes, We’re Worse Than Broken; But I Still Use the Term. Response to Randy Newman.