When God’s people lovingly “encourage one another” with Christ-exalting words and deeds, the gospel message is not only clarified but amplified. Even more profoundly, God is glorified as His family enjoys a home “where seldom is heard a discouraging word.”   I am sure that somewhere and at some time Tabletalk readers have heard the... Continue Reading

I’ve been both the judging one and the drowning one when someone said “no” to serving with me, and now I want to be the gracious one. The people who have graciously understood, and even encouraged me to decline ministry opportunities, have been teaching me that there really is a time and a place (many,... Continue Reading

It was only after much prayer, study, and consideration that GRPC left the PCA. The Session started serious discussions about leaving the PCA more than 2 years ago. We kept our congregation informed of our concerns and our discussions within the Session and with others within the Presbytery. Altogether, we spoke with eight other pastors... Continue Reading

It’s that much of what passes for Christianity today is just a spiritualized version of moralistic therapeutic deism. And sadly, the sociological and political connotations to the word “evangelical” often engulf the significance of this renewal movement, inserting a wedge between its cultural and aspirational definitions. Do we face significant challenges? Yes. And that’s been true... Continue Reading

We must not respond with pride. We must not look at the fall of a leader with haughty eyes, for by doing so we welcome our own demise. Here are three warning signs you are responding with pride to a leader’s fall.   People love to watch great and mighty buildings fall. We find it... Continue Reading

I still feel a tension between using insider language and methodically bringing others along in the language of God and the church. On one hand, theological and historical terminology can become Shibboleths that keep others uninformed and disengaged. On the other hand, the language of the church gives us the opportunity to share the language of God... Continue Reading

In the context of accusations and sin among elders, the apostle Paul wrote, “Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.” An implosion that results in removal from a role is a clear and painful public rebuke. And the rest of us should be afraid. God’s holiness is not something we... Continue Reading

The United Gospel Outreach Church’s building, which is open to all Christian groups in the city, is one of the few church buildings built since 1975 with the government’s tacit approval. For such a place to exist was unthinkable 15 years ago and is a sign of expanding religious freedom in the country’s big cities.... Continue Reading

In the Christian community, we tend to be enthusiastic about new voices and fresh perspectives. We are eager to hear conference headliners and read the latest viral posts. We seek out variety and diversity. This isn’t necessarily bad. But we must not overlook the value of a single, faithful voice: 52 Sundays every year, standing... Continue Reading

The lessons from these two church plants mean much to me as I now sit in another small service, two years into another new church, on the opposite coast from Church X and Church Y. No bells. No whistles. Just the ordinary means of grace—prayer, Bible study, communion, fellowship. My new church doesn’t garner the... Continue Reading