“What is surprising is the way that even practicing Christians are beginning to conform to the beliefs and behaviors that are now considered normal in our culture,” said Roxanne Stone, editor-in-chief at Barna. “The big story here is that people no longer agree when it comes to the purpose and meaning of sex – including... Continue Reading

But with dwindling reserves—the IMB now has enough cash for only two more years at its current rate of spending—expenses needed to be cut. In November, CT examined whether the situation spells the end of the full-time missionary. “The financial realities are clear,” Platt told CT at the time. “[I]n order to get to a... Continue Reading

“Though the biblical mandate to care for widows should be sufficient motive for our churches, consider some of the struggles widows experience. These seven factoids should give you at least a glimpse of the need for ministries to widows in your church.”   This verse in Scripture cannot be more compelling or clearer: “Pure and... Continue Reading

Once saved through faith in the Person and finished work of Christ, God’s people get brought into the most glorious organism in the universe; the church. Though often messy and seemingly mundane, the NT kind of local church is God’s best, no-alternative plan for humanity this side of heaven. In and through such churches, God brings... Continue Reading

Perhaps the most appropriate lesson to be learned on this point, then, is simply not to make assumptions too quickly about how Christians did things in the past. It’s all too easy to project our own ideas and customs on to persons or groups that inhabit days gone by, and then to turn around and... Continue Reading

Lewis in my opinion is right to warn of some of the self-righteous dangers of an endeavor of group repentance. Often this can be confessing the sins of one’s neighbor, rather than your own sins. In those cases “we” really means “they.” Thus, there must be some reflection on the personal nature of such a... Continue Reading

When we pray in Christ’s name, we are saying, “I have no confidence in my own name, my own character, my own merits.” We are saying, “We have complete confidence in Christ’s name to give us access and authority in prayer.” “In Jesus name” is more than a full stop or a comma. It’s a... Continue Reading

Scripture must first be our guide when evaluating a young man’s desire for pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).  This blueprint needs to then be evaluated by the young man’s desire for the work (internal calling), and then by the pastors and congregation of his local church (external calling).  Although those... Continue Reading

The Seattle Presbytery is trying to take back a historic church after a report found pastors and other leaders engaged in financial impropriety and a “pattern of duplicity.” A lawsuit will now determine the fate of Seattle First Presbyterian — and its $20 million property.   The regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)... Continue Reading

Several years ago, one of my mentors noted that it may, in fact, be more advantageous for a church or Presbytery to call godly and faithful men to plant 10 churches that will each reach 100+ members in any given geographical area than it would be to call one extraordinarily gifted individual to plant 1 church that would... Continue Reading