Critics say APU is caving to pressure from the LGBTQ community. “They can tell themselves whatever they like about their ‘spirit,’ but it’s self-deception,” writes Rod Dreher. “This is how conservative institutions surrender: by giving up, then telling themselves (and their donors) that they haven’t surrendered. Saving face is not the same thing as saving... Continue Reading

It is right to be exhorted to change when change is necessary. It is good to be told you’re doing something wrong when you are, in fact, doing something wrong. Criticism may sting in the short-term but, if it’s true, we can embrace it as a gift from the Lord. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may... Continue Reading

“Those churches that have included a covenant renewal service in their church calendar often include, not only appropriate prayers of devotion in response to God’s covenant commitment to his people; but also renewal of vows on the part of the congregation.”   The language of ‘covenant’ has a much wider history in the church than... Continue Reading

Since the essence of the foreshadowing of the tabernacle was fulfilled in Christ, many have come to the conclusion that we have nothing further to learn from its construction. They say we are not to look at it as a model for New Testament churches, as it has no further significance since Jesus altogether fulfilled... Continue Reading

Pastor Lord went on to explain that these fallen leaders were not so foolish as to wake up one day and intentionally throw away their integrity, honor, family, and ministry in some abrupt violation of all they knew to be true.  Rather, he noted, they simply began to neglect their relationship with the Lord, and over... Continue Reading

We similarly cannot be surprised when young people do not become believers when their parents don’t teach them the gospel at home and our Sunday school programmes focus more on morals, or nice lessons, than they do on the Christ and his gospel. If our children never hear about sin and the means of salvation,... Continue Reading

Perhaps many of these characteristics are developed in every person, Christian or not, as they grow older, but I would maintain that there is something distinctly unique about an aging believer that gives an added depth to these things. Here are a few of the reasons why I not only enjoy, but am challenged by... Continue Reading

The reason ministry requires “toil” (the focus of this word is not on mere labor but on the exhaustion and weariness that it induces) and “struggling” is not hard to understand. On the one hand, there are our own fleshly desires and bodily weaknesses to contend with. The physical demands of ministry are obvious. For... Continue Reading

Twenty-two years ago, it was not considered hate speech for Ken to tell me that he accepted me as a lesbian, but did not approve. I rejected Ken’s worldview, and he rejected mine. We were on even ground. We saw clearly our worldview differences, but those divisions, back then, did not come with the accusatory... Continue Reading

In the words of Craddock, the preacher exists as one without authority. In a sense, Craddock’s diagnosis was right. The modern mind may well be adverse to authority and disinclined to trust the “sage on the stage.” Nonetheless, his prescription was dead wrong. Where there is no authority, there is no true preaching.   When published in... Continue Reading