I know we’ve had “famous” evangelists and televangelists in the past, and I know there’s nothing new under the sun. Celebrity pastors have been around ever since the Corinthians debated the merits of Paul, Apollos, and Peter. Nevertheless, I do think today’s cultural environment has provided conditions that are particularly toxic. The ubiquity of social... Continue Reading

“Do you see my point in recounting this solemn, yet glorious, narrative? Nobody would have recognized Joseph as one of Jesus’ followers. His family, friends and neighbors did not associate Joseph with the Nazarene. His fellows on the Sanhedrin were startled by His impartiality and integrity yet never, for a second, suspected a turncoat in... Continue Reading

“2 out of 3 Americans confess to being a sinner (67%), according to LifeWay Research/ The rest don’t see themselves as sinners (8%), don’t think sin exists (10%), or preferred not to answer the question (15%). While a few of the self-confessed sinners don’t mind being one (5%), most say they are either working on... Continue Reading

“The Lord’s Supper is spiritual nourishment promised by the sign of bread and wine and realized by the Holy Spirit. If this empowering is the work of the Holy Spirit, it must also be said that the Spirit works through faith. In other words, this empowering comes through believing the Gospel, both as it is... Continue Reading

Among a new generation of Reformed pastors and churchgoers, there seems to be little awareness that the project they are pursuing, and the shifts they are pushing, have already been tried and have ended with catastrophic consequences in the life of a major Reformed denomination. I write this out of sincere love and concern for... Continue Reading

God says hospitality can and should be shown to Christians we already know and love. If you are practicing this currently without grumbling, you should be encouraged to know that God is pleased with your hospitable heart and practice.   In recent years, I’ve heard several well-meaning Christian leaders assert that there is a sharp... Continue Reading

The couple didn’t return to church the following weekend, and the pastor told me that although he was saddened, he wasn’t surprised they didn’t come back. A few months later, though, the lesbian couple began attending his church again. The pastor asked why they came back, and they said they loved his church and felt... Continue Reading

The dinners provide all kinds of opportunities to serve. Families with children set up tables and chairs and put out tableware. Food and drinks are served restaurant-style by local youth groups, allowing the teens to interact with those whom they serve. Our guests sense that something is different about our church and this ministry, and... Continue Reading

Historically, the church orally instructed children and new converts in the Bible’s teaching and its doctrines; therefore most catechisms have a question-and-answer format. One of the earliest catechisms is the Didache, or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.   The Importance of Catechesis During my childhood, my friends and I used to run home after school and... Continue Reading

Robinson says it’s not unusual for him to roll into church service wearing the same clothes from a gig the night before, but playing Sunday mornings typically discourages him from being “too reckless” on Saturday evenings. There are always exceptions.   Musicians take gigs from almost anywhere. Want them to play in a dirty old... Continue Reading