Without realising, this man had offered a fine theological defence of the regulative principle of worship. I daren’t argue that I wasn’t quite a fully paid up regulative principle adherent – though I’m not so far away in practice – because, despite our divergent logical paths, we both alighted on the same conclusion: that’s not... Continue Reading

Admittedly, my usage of the word “trend” is highly subjective. I have no statistical support to prove these 4 practices are in fact “trends” among churches today. My list is based purely on my limited experience and limited observation. Additionally, in titling this post I intentionally chose the word “uncomfortable.” In my mind, these 4... Continue Reading

“Let me say, yes we’ve lost these members. But again, we’ve gained back nearly half the ones we’ve lost. Maybe forty percent at this point,” explained Mason. “So yes, our numbers have declined in attendance. But I would remind us all numbers are declining in American Christianity all across the board. Year by year churches... Continue Reading

If we have a right view of the church and its people we aren’t going to fall into the silly trap of leaving every time we are disappointed. If we recognise that the church is full of sinners we won’t enter into a covenant relationship with its people with our eyes closed. In fact, we... Continue Reading

Sometimes senior saints question their usefulness in the church as they age. That’s unfortunate because they’re an essential part of the body of Christ. Although we trust in our sovereign and wise God to add and take away from his local body as he sees fit, church life is different without them.    A couple... Continue Reading

“In June 2016, FPC Bethlehem voted overwhelmingly to leave PCUSA over theological differences, including the mainline denomination’s increasing acceptance of homosexuality. With 1,048 voting members present, 76.5 percent approved a measure to leave the denomination and joined the theologically conservative ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.”   A judge has ruled that the property of... Continue Reading

In the church that I pastor, we have a brief time of confession of sin, immediately after the reading of God’s law. After we have a time of silent confession of sin, we have a pastoral prayer of confession followed by an assurance of pardon. This is a longstanding practice in many Reformed churches. Something of... Continue Reading

The pattern of ministry all throughout the New Testament is clearly established upon a plurality of elders leading and a plurality of deacons serving.  Although this is not a blemish-free ministry pattern, it does provide for the most healthy scenario for discipleship in the local church.   In Acts 6:2, Jesus’ inner circles was known as... Continue Reading

George, who has served as Stanley’s associate pastor since 2012, was named in a pastoral succession plan presented to congregants during two morning services. “While I intend to remain the pastor as long as God gives me health and strength, this plan will be officially in place to ensure a seamless transition in leadership whenever God ordains that... Continue Reading

When the carols are sung, those around us are informed or reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past, and yet they are also hopefully pointed to the present grace that is now available to each of us in Christ. This is why Christmas is the biggest evangelistic event of the year: radical singing produces a... Continue Reading