The pulpit must teach in a way that builds a larger and deeper understanding of God beginning with Genesis and explaining the true nature of the Christian life as lived by the Holy Spirit. However, sadly there is little emphasis on the Holy Spirit except for a passing mention and almost nothing about Christians being... Continue Reading

Missionaries on the field must carefully emphasize God’s distinctness from creation, Christ’s authority over every spiritual entity, and both the emptiness and danger of magical practices that attempt to connect the user with the divine.   When we think of the Great Commission, we often focus on reaching the lost and preaching the gospel. Yet,... Continue Reading

The vibe shift has lowered the conscious barrier of hostility for many toward the claims of more traditional faiths, especially around the subjects of nature, gender, sex, and the family. There’s greater awareness of Christianity’s culture-shaping force. I have no problem seeing some of it as a sort of praeparatio evangelica. But we must recognize... Continue Reading

Who is responsible for ordering the proper worship of God’s people? The Elders of the local church are responsible for the proper ordering of the gathered worship of God’s people.   The elders of the local church have the great responsibility of ordering the worship of the church. This responsibility is a scriptural mandate because... Continue Reading

One problem in churches is that to many members, it can seem that everyone knows everything and has it all put together in the church. We need to show that we are all learning and growing together. Discussing our spiritual lives can pay huge dividends, especially in our struggles.    Over the years, I have... Continue Reading

Now that synod has adopted the Human Sexuality Report and is standing its ground against open defiance, revisionist Calvin professors want the university to divorce the CRC. This is the familiar path of many universities. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Rutgers, Duke and many others began as ecclesiastical institutions but have become thoroughly secular.... Continue Reading

The gospel frees pastors from having to be a perfect shepherd. We do not need to pretend to be something we’re not. Christ knows all our flaws, and throughout the seasons of ministry, our local church will see that we are flawed as well. Trying to project some transcendent persona will not help the sheep... Continue Reading

We’ve become better at branding our little castles than we are in building the Kingdom, WHICH IS THE ENTIRE POINT!!! And, the saddest part, is that the world is watching. And laughing. Worse than that—they are getting a totally false view of discipleship. Because tribalism doesn’t just deform the Church. It disciples the world. It... Continue Reading

In Acts 16 the Spirit opens Lydia’s heart (Acts 16:14). Though it’s not explicitly stated, we know He does the same thing again later in the chapter with the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31ff).  Through the faithful preaching of Christ, sinners are drawn to faith and repentance by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. All... Continue Reading

If you are a church leader, do you think about church ministry with Christ’s activity in view? When you woke up in the morning, after the coffee cleared the fog, does this reality focus your motivation? Are you committed to building up those whom Jesus loves?    What’s your reaction when you hear, “It’s time... Continue Reading