“Read the Bible, preach the Bible, pray the Bible, sing the Bible, and see the Bible.”   The Gospel affects the entire life of a believer, and the same is true for a body of believers that comprise a local church. Churches, and all that they do, should have a particular Gospel focus. From the... Continue Reading

Israel was set apart from the world foremost by the promise of God’s presence, but also by the covenant promises and commands God gave to Israel. But perhaps most significantly, God enshrined His promise to dwell in the midst of His people by granting them a temple in which His presence would spiritually dwell. This... Continue Reading

If a man reserves his strongest words only for outsiders, it is not courage at all. Prophets did speak to the nations, but they saved their heaviest blows for the idols closest to home, and they bore the cost. When the fiercest edge cuts elsewhere, it is not prophetic steadfastness but crowd-pleasing performance. Catering to... Continue Reading

While the drift of Christian institutions is real, it is not inevitable. Faithful men and women, committed to Christ above culture, can strengthen and secure the training grounds for the next generation.   This past week, a well-known preacher confided in me with a heavy heart. His adult daughter, once strong in the Christian faith,... Continue Reading

The MNA Permanent Committee will form a representative search committee for the next committee coordinator in due course. Pray for the Permanent Committee and the process of calling the next leader in domestic mission, church planting and vitality.   Ruling Elder and former GA Moderator Steve Dowling has been appointed as MNA Interim Coordinator, effective... Continue Reading

Paul says to the Thessalonian believers, “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers” (1 Thess. 2:10). The one who called himself the foremost of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15) was not attempting to describe himself as perfect, but he did recognize an important tool for... Continue Reading

As ministers, we have already made the big decision to follow Jesus in a life of ministry, but sometimes we need to be reminded of some of the benefits of fearing God…I don’t labor alone but with him.   In all my life, I have never seen so many people afraid of so many things.... Continue Reading

Following the death of George Floyd five years ago, the Stated Clerk of the EPC released a lengthy statement declaring a day of lament, prayer, and fasting. When Charlie Kirk was gunned down, the Stated Clerk and Office of the General Assembly did not acknowledge his death or issue any statement whatsoever. The silence was... Continue Reading

The Catholic Church proclaims a different gospel: it uses familiar phrases and biblical terminology, but with a different dictionary. It is not founded upon Scripture alone, but upon Scripture plus tradition and the magisterium. The Reformers fought, bled, burned, and died for this one word: alone. The Reformation was not about a preference for worship styles, candles,... Continue Reading

It seems the most common type of church, at least in the West, is the shepherd/teacher church. This often results in a “knowledge-based community where right doctrine is seen to be more important than rightdoing.” There is often an overemphasis on the sermon and Sunday service, and community, discipleship, and evangelism are an afterthought.   ... Continue Reading