On Disciplining Abusers And Protecting The Sheep
We (ministers, elders, and deacons) need to learn the symptoms and signs of abuse and must become prepared to take concrete steps to help.
The church is to care for orphans and widows (James 1:27). An abuser has essentially orphaned his children and abandoned his wife. He has turned his vocation as a caregiver and protector on its head and corrupted it. Where the husband is meant to be a source of strength and safety, he has become weak... Continue Reading
Will the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood Refute Eternal Functional Subordination?
The fact is CBMW has not been neutral regarding the doctrine of the Son’s eternal subordination to the Father.
It is clear that the leadership of CBMW now desires to distance the organization from the error of EFS. It would be a shame if their approach to dealing with these errors is to merely remove content from their website. What they must do is refute the errors of EFS and its impious speculations and analogies... Continue Reading
The Pastor’s PTSD: When You Cannot Bounce Back After The Conflict Is Over
PTSD is a helpful analogy to understand what pastors go through in hard times in their ministries.
One defining feature of PTSD is that the fear lingers long after the painful event has passed. And this has parallels for us and our families. After a conflict, we can ask ourselves, Why haven’t we snapped out of it yet? But why should we expect to get over it as soon as the conflict burns... Continue Reading
Top 10 Things I Wish Worship Leaders Would Stop Saying
Some annoying phrases worship leaders should avoid or stop using.
God showed up. I think I know what is meant by this phrase. It can be a way of saying “we felt emotionally touched during the music time,” which can be an okay thing—it would be weird for Christians to never feel engaged emotionally in worshiping God—but it can also be a way of equating... Continue Reading
The Excommunicated Member Who Thanked Me
Six years ago, our elders put Jack under church discipline. Last week, he thanked me for it.
On a recent Sunday, I saw Jack again for the first time in years. He was back in town for a short visit, and he came to church with his family… Then, after the worship service, he purposefully sought me out and looked me directly in the eye. Thank you . . . for, well, for... Continue Reading
The Surprising Truth About False Teachers
False teachers are not just false in their teaching, but also in their living.
No matter how twisted the teaching, no matter how publicly shamed the church may feel over the exposé of an unethical leader, no matter how dark the days become, no matter how helpless we may feel in guarding gospel doctrine and preserving gospel-worthy lives, we have this great sustaining hope: Jesus knows how to rescue... Continue Reading
2 Problems with Social Action in Missions
Is the church’s true work—that which only the the church can do—being unintentionally neglected?
To put it in mathematical terms, there are two problems with today’s rush to embrace social reform missions. The Social Gospel is a problem of subtraction: it subtracts essential theology—sin and repentance—from the church’s message. Social reform projects, on the other hand, threaten the church in a different way: by addition. When resource-consuming social projects... Continue Reading
Three Presbyterian Denominations Continue To Grow
Three Presbyterian denominations – ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America – are growing in both the number of churches and members, while the Presbyterian Church (USA) continues to decline
PCA membership increased by 11,816 for a total of 370,332 members and Sunday school attendance was also increased to 97,719 up by 1,096 from 2014. Taylor called this “the first increased in SS in a number of years.” Three Presbyterian denominations – ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and... Continue Reading
Should Children Sit Through “Big Church”?
There is a sense of solemnity and awe which children should experience
“What would be the impact if, for twelve years, the children saw dad with his face in his hands praying during the prelude to worship? What would be the impact if they saw mom and dad beaming with joy in singing the praises of God? Just think of it.” Robert from Columbia, South Carolina... Continue Reading
Missions: Ecclesiology With a Passport
Today a growing percentage of new missionaries are being sent to focus on social relief, with the church and the gospel tacked on as something of theological addendum.
It’s a dicey line that Stott and Keller have drawn for the church to walk. In essence, they are saying, “We’re going to keep the gospel the main thing and focus the church on social reform; in fact, in a sense, social action is the gospel too.” In theory, it’s a noble blend of word... Continue Reading
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