5 Reasons We Should Sing Passionately & Loudly in Church
Music, for millennia, has been an integral part of corporate worship
“Singing together is a picture here on earth of the hope of heaven where every tribe, tongue and nation will sing to God. Throughout history, God’s people have both discovered and affirmed their solidarity in times of celebration and in times of tragedy through singing.” Each week, upwards of 100 million people in America... Continue Reading
Three Emotions Pastors Bear Which Are Unknown to Most Congregants
Here are three things pastors feel that most —including their congregations— are not aware of
“I have pastored for more than ten years. Many faithful pastors have much longer tenures than me. But in a decade of pastoring I have experienced the gamut of emotions and difficulties. I can speak directly about the things I have faced. I can also speak to things I have witnessed in other dear brothers that I... Continue Reading
Five Crucial Things for Sunday Morning
First, remember that worship is not about you, but it calls for your full participation
“The Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God supplies some very practical direction at just this point. It says that if any are hindered from being present from the beginning of worship they ought to come in and compose themselves to join with the assembly in that ordinance of God which is then in... Continue Reading
The Example of the Early Church
A key area in which these Christians differed from their culture was with regard to sexual expression
“The Christian life is one that was similar in so many ways to the mores of Greco-Roman society, but in certain key areas—notably with regard to the treatment of children and sexual expression—it bore witness to a completely different ethic.” It was during the last quarter of the second century in the eastern Mediterranean, possibly... Continue Reading
How Church Squabbles Hinder Gospel Work
One of the reasons why disagreements need to be worked out is its negative impact on the advancement of the gospel.
When we let peripheral issues rise to the place of prominence then we have displaced the gospel. Instead of embracing the humility to be of the same mind (Phil. 2:2-4) they desire to put themselves first. Instead of applying the gospel to every situation they selectively apply it how they want to. We have to see... Continue Reading
Why Controversy Is Sometimes Necessary
There is no genuine unity apart from unity in God’s revealed truth.
“There are times when believers are divided over serious and consequential questions, and controversy is an inevitable result. The only way to avoid all controversy would be to consider nothing we believe important enough to defend and no truth too costly to compromise.” I recently watched as a young mother acted quickly and decisively to... Continue Reading
Three Reasons Why Big Events Are Ineffective in Most Churches
Not all church events are intended to be outreach events but those that do, do not fare well in that regard.
The Great Commission cannot be limited to special holidays. The event should be only a part of an overall heart and strategy to reach people with the gospel. This issue is much like churches expecting the stand-and-greet time during the worship services to make them a friendly church. Genuine friendliness is not limited to a... Continue Reading
Ministry Myth: You Must Have Musical Talent or Teaching Gifts
The piano-playing-Sunday-school-teaching pastor's wife requirement is a myth
God saved me. He knew my gifts and talents because He gave them to me. God led me to marry a man whom He would call to be a pastor one day. God’s grace was always sufficient for me. And, besides, God’s biblical list of requirements for pastors’ wives is fairly short, and it doesn’t include specific musical talents or teaching gifts. (I wrote about that subject... Continue Reading
Four Types of Worship Teams
Helping build (and build up) a body is the way to go. It’s a worship team model that will endure.
In a body, there are varieties of gifts and service, but the same Lord. There are different gifts given by the Spirit, but all empowered by that same Spirit. It’s one body, with many members. The different members (like feet and hands) need each other. The different members (like ears and eyes) belong to each... Continue Reading
The Reformation: A Bible Movement (Part 1)
Sola Scriptura dictated for the Reformers their ministries, their messages, and for many of them their martyrdom
In fact, the doctrine of sola scriptura is crucial to the understanding of the following four sola. Without the testimony of the scriptures alone as inerrant and inspired word of God, which provides a clear message of redemption to the people of God, it is impossible for a Christian to conceive of a belief in salvation... Continue Reading
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