The Ordinary Means of Growth
Ordinary means of grace-based ministry focuses on doing the things the Bible says are central to the spiritual health and growth of believers
A church committed to the ordinary means of grace will be characterized by love for expository Bible preaching, passion for worship, delight in truth, embrace of the Gospel, the Spirit’s work of conversion, a life of godliness; robust family religion; biblical evangelism, biblical discipleship, biblical church membership, mutual accountability in the church, biblical church leadership,... Continue Reading
How the Reformation Recovered Preaching
The preaching of the gospel as a sacramental event is at the heart of Reformation theology
“Prior to the Reformation, the sermon was mostly an ad hoc event reserved for special occasions or seasons of the liturgical cycle, especially Christmas and Eastertide. Most sermons were preached in town squares or open fields. The reformers brought the sermon back inside the church and gave it an honored place in the public worship... Continue Reading
Churches Respond To Boy Scouts Transgender Policy
Even with religious exemptions, uncertainty remains about Scouting’s future
For more than 100 years, BSA enrolled boys into its programs based on the gender listed on their birth certificates. But now the Scouts will allow any child to become a member as long as he or she identifies as male, regardless of biology.In a video message, BSA’s chief executive Michael Surbaugh said birth certificates... Continue Reading
Church Of England Rejects Report Affirming Biblical Marriage
Vote doesn’t change the Church’s official teaching but raises questions about future acceptance for same-sex unions
The Church of England General Synod on Feb. 15 rejected a report issued in January that reaffirms church canon on marriage. By a slim margin the body voted not to “take note” of the House of Bishops’ report, which provided a framework for addressing issues related to human sexuality, marriage, and the church. (WNS)–The... Continue Reading
Why I am Leaving the Church Growth Movement
Rejecting everything that has become the favorite methods of the missional-community church
I’ve not mentioned anything about the proclamation of the Word, and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That’s because there is not much to mention from the church today….it does good works, has good music.… has a really good sound-system, and a pastor who could lead circles around Moses. What it doesn’t have... Continue Reading
How Can Our Church Reach Out to the Gay Community?
One reason I’m hesitant to answer the question is that it’s one of those questions that can only be answered with more questions.
Don’t get me wrong. I think “reaching out to the gay community” can be a wonderful thing. But we must be clear in our own hearts about the why and how of what we’re doing. We shouldn’t expect people to be eagerly awaiting the church to “reach” them. And we shouldn’t expect the reaching to go anywhere without the Spirit of Christ working with us, the gospel of Christ coming from us, and the love of Christ–shown in hospitality and friendship–flowing through us.
LGBTQ Advocates Offer Glitter Ash For Lent
Reporting that glitter “is an inextricable element of queer history” Parity says it is a display of “gritty, scandalous hope.”
“Ashes are a statement that death and suffering are real,” the site explains. “Glitter is a sign of our hope, which does not despair. Glitter signals our promise to repent, to show up, to witness, to work. Glitter never gives up — and neither do we.” The group urges participants to get the ashes early, wear them all day, and make a short video to distribute on social media about glitter ash using the hashtag #GlitterAshWednesday.
Evangelicals in Exile
To be a Christian, I and my friends were learning, was to become an exile
“During the Trump presidency, I don’t believe this attitude has changed—certainly not at Wheaton College, the evangelical institution where I now teach. Yet cries of ‘evangelical’ complicity in our current political predicament grow ever louder. Lately I took a walk through the Billy Graham Center Museum here on campus, to see whether I had got... Continue Reading
Ten Ways Pastors Can Be Bad Bosses
Bad pastor bosses lack leadership skills and they lack relational skills.
Most pastors have no formal training in either. Yet they are expected to lead and relate the first day they begin serving a church. Indeed, many pastors are expected to be bosses of full-time or part-time personnel even though they may have never led anyone. So what is the difference between a good pastor boss and a bad pastor boss? We will address the good pastor bosses later. For now, I will share with you our conversations with those who served under bad pastor bosses.
Why Churches Should NOT Fear the “Nones”
Religious researcher Rodney Stark debunks several myths about “nones,” Millennials, and religion in his book The Triumph of Faith
In a culture that preaches anything but the Christian Gospel, Millennials thirst for churches that provide ageless truths revealing the meaning of life. Thus the Church need not fear the seeming growth of “nones” in America. This represents an opportunity rather than a danger, since it simply requires that the Church pursues its central mission to “make disciples of all nations” by preaching the Gospel.
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