Churches and Ministries

Don’t Be Embarrassed By Your Ordinary Church

When we think about the church in general and our church in particular, we might be a bit embarrassed to call it “ordinary.”

Written by Erik Raymond | Sunday, February 14, 2016

Is your church ordinary? Small? Well, my Christian friend, if it is preaching the gospel and endeavoring to help others to know and follow Jesus then it is not insignificant. It is powerfully important and surpassingly glorious. And, you should praise God for it–even as you get to work in it! In the grand... Continue Reading

Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met in Havana, Cuba on Friday (2016-02-12) to sign an historic joint declaration.

Written by Vatican Radio | Sunday, February 14, 2016

By meeting far from the longstanding disputes of the “Old World”, we experience with a particular sense of urgency the need for the shared labour of Catholics and Orthodox, who are called, with gentleness and respect, to give an explanation to the world of the hope in us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). Pope Francis... Continue Reading

Worldview Loneliness in the Church

This is what it’s like to feel alone because of your Christian worldview in the Church.

Written by Chelsen Vicari | Friday, February 12, 2016

My worldview loneliness is not provoked by the awkward discomfort that comes from sharing the Christian faith with an unbeliever in secular culture. Which is not to say evangelizing is easy for this introvert. No, that challenge is different. I expect a lost soul to find the Gospel offensive. The mocking, callousness and avoidance of the... Continue Reading

Joyful Noise: Praise with the Volume Pumped Up

There is something that generates an impact that reverberates through this world, the spiritual realm, and the Universe: a joyful church.

Written by Clint Archer | Friday, February 12, 2016

This is the reason we worship: he deserves it. God is good, loving, and faithful. This is why we sing, this is why we make a loud noise – because he is worthy of worship. We can worship him sincerely because he is indisputably worthy of our worship. Only in heaven we will grasp fully... Continue Reading

10 Misperceptions Laypersons Have about Pastors

Laypersons sometimes have misperceptions of pastors that I think hurt their leaders

Written by Chuck Lawless | Thursday, February 11, 2016

“We’re always on the lookout for the next best church.” To be honest, some pastors do live that way – and they don’t make it easy for the rest of us who are genuinely committed where God has placed us. Most of really love our church, even with all their imperfections. I started this... Continue Reading

Mainline Death or Revival?

There’s no pledge from Christ, who promised that The Church will prevail, that Mainline Protestantism will necessarily have any future

Written by Mark Tooley | Wednesday, February 10, 2016

There are plenty of Christian movements in particular times and places that have whithered and perished. Mainline Protestantism may have served its purpose across four centuries in America and will just fade into obscurity, leaving behind beautiful sanctuaries and lots of wonderful memories of momentous spiritual, cultural and social accomplishments. Princeton Seminary President Craig... Continue Reading

Veto Presbyterian Church in Vincent, Ohio Withdraws from PCUSA; Joins PCA

The Veto Presbyterian Church was received by the Ohio Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America on February 2, 2016.

Written by Staff | Tuesday, February 9, 2016

On January 13, 2016, the session of Veto Presbyterian asked to join the Ohio Presbytery of the PCA as a mission church. On February 2,, with great joy, the Ohio Presbytery voted to receive Veto as a mission church of the Presbytery, with a provisional session of members of the session of Grace Presbyterian, Hudson,... Continue Reading

Six Ways Ministry Spouses Get Hurt

It is indeed tough to be in vocational ministry. But it’s also tough to be the spouse of these ministers.

Written by Thom Rainer | Tuesday, February 9, 2016

“A worship minister shared with us this tragic story. He was caught up in some worship wars, an all too common reality. The worship leader, however, was pretty thick-skinned, and moved forward despite the criticisms. When the critics saw they were not making progress with the worship leader, they began to attack his wife with... Continue Reading

The Biblical Basis for the Spirituality of the Church

Paul appeals to his reader not on the basis of civil justice but on the principle of love

Written by Rick Phillips | Tuesday, February 9, 2016

“At least one presbytery also received a motion for the PCA to publicly call for financial reparations from white people to African Americans in compensation for the institution of slavery that existed in America prior to 1865. These actions would seem to oppose the spirituality of the church.” Last week I posted a piece... Continue Reading

Elbert McGowan Takes Helm at Jackson’s Redeemer PCA Church

Redeemer PCA in Jackson, Miss., calls Elbert McGowan as pastor.

Written by Joe Lee, Clarion-Ledger | Sunday, February 7, 2016

When longtime Redeemer pastor Mike Campbell announced his departure in late 2015, McGowan’s name was immediately on the minds of many congregants as a possible successor. “Elbert preached a sermon before he was voted in, and people were just lit up — it was like electricity,” said pastoral assistant Steve Lanier. “Then he did another... Continue Reading