On Polity Matters we are currently working our way through the final section of the Book of Church Order, so all of our newest episodes are about worship. I thought it would be worthwhile to reflect on these matters here, as they pertain to the aim of this blog as a whole. What follows is... Continue Reading

Wherever power exists, the church is called not to dominate cultures but to bear faithful witness. The hope of the world is not found in exporting political systems or reshaping societies through force, but in proclaiming Christ and making disciples among all nations.   Recent headlines remind us that the world is restless. Social unrest,... Continue Reading

You are in sin, but Jesus loves you. He is gently and lovingly inviting you to join the great celebration of grace. Will you join the party, or stand outside in a huff? Will you receive grace, or walk away sad?   For years, I believed Jesus reserved His loving kindness for the obviously broken:... Continue Reading

What if, hundreds of years from today, people shaped their view of church government from a letter from a governor writing to a president who knew nothing about Christianity, but from interrogation and torture? To put weight on this one term, which is indecisive at best, is to be shaped by an unbeliever and outsider... Continue Reading

Faithful ministry makes much of God and little of us. It is not performative because it is not ultimately concerned with appearances. It is willing to do what is right even when the cost potentially involves losing credibility or influence, because the name most worthy of being preserved is the name of the Savior.  ... Continue Reading

Having a coach is not always within the financial means of everyone, but don’t let that slow you down. You know a lot and you can learn and grow a lot more.   God has blessed me at times with coaches and mentors. Even though it wouldn’t be one-on-one coaching, someday I would like to... Continue Reading

God forbid that any of you would be saying in your heart, “If it looks like I have to suffer for this, I’ve got a way to get myself free from suffering.” What sort of way is that? “Oh, the last time I begged mercy and I confessed I’d done wrong and I promised never... Continue Reading

Here’s where the weight becomes almost unbearable: none of us have ever worshiped God with completely pure motives. None of us love Him with all our heart. Not even one of us is truly righteous on our own merit. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs... Continue Reading

Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and this is why verse five assures He will never leave nor forsake His sheep.  In fact, besides His seven “I AM” sayings, Jesus declared, before Abraham was, I Am (John 8:58).[8] Christian, the self-sufficient God can preserve you. Though things may often appear... Continue Reading

He lived Shawshank Redemption, working toward the goal of getting out, and using what he had in a profitable way while he was in prison. Finally, he stands before Pharaoh and again uses the opportunity to apply for the position of chief comptroller of all the grain in Egypt, to get everyone through the coming... Continue Reading