It is appalling today how so little is known by teenagers about biblical doctrine in conservative churches.  Many cannot define the doctrine of the Trinity.  They don’t know the difference between justification and sanctification.  They don’t know what the ordo salutis is.  If our children grow up without knowing basic Christian doctrine, then we are... Continue Reading

“In our disappointment and confusion, it is easy to grasp for explanations that are quick and quantifiable; as if the problem was simply a lack of accountability. We assume that if these leaders had stronger and more committed friends, pastors, and elders around them this would have never happened.”   He came over to my... Continue Reading

“Apparently it’s okay to eat a meal with a pinch of deadly poison on your plate, as long as everything else is safe and edible. It must be okay because we’ve done it before and haven’t noticed very many ill effects. And after all, we want to have good relations with those who peddle poison,... Continue Reading

“Whatever else you might say at the funeral of an unbeliever, do not leave out the Person and saving work of Jesus Christ. Preach the precious truths about the incarnation, the active obedience of Jesus, the passive obedience of Jesus, the atoning death of Jesus, the wrath propitiation of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus and... Continue Reading

Pastors of churches with fewer than 100 in attendance are more likely to continue as normal on Super Bowl Sunday night. Almost 7 in 10 said their church’s activities would go on as usual (68%). Churches with 100 or more were split, with slightly more than half (52%) continuing as normal. “The overall percentage continuing normal Sunday evening activities is driven by smaller churches,” McConnell said.

We live in a fallen world and there are no perfect churches this side of heaven. In every congregation there is going to be something or someone who disappoints. We must prioritize. If a minister is not preaching the law and gospel purely or should he be corrupting the administration of the holy sacraments, those are very serious problems. In such a case, the session/consistory needs to act to preserve the ministry of the church. If they are failing, then the presbytery/classis needs to intervene. In short, pick your battles.

So yesterday’s talk was my first opportunity to address church officers on equipping women in their churches as necessary allies. These men modeled good shepherding. They were hospitable, clearly defined the liturgy of the beginning and end of the worship service, transitioned well into the next part of the meeting with a woman speaker, humbly engaged in the topic and noted it’s significance, and personalized it to their local church situations by asking good questions. No one was condescending or dismissive. No one was defensive. One pastor cleared my plate for me. They bought a bunch of my books to dig deeper into the topic and bring it to their churches. I drove home encouraged for the church.

I accepted a 20-hour position in Children’s Ministry in our church.  I wanted to help little people grow up to love Jesus.  Twenty-five years later, I’m the one who has grown up.  The church has largely been the instrument of God for my sanctification.  There is always room for growth and improvement, but I am... Continue Reading

Calvin believed that both politics and providence were operative; indeed, he suggested that the Kingdom of God was already present, albeit not completely realized: “For spiritual government, indeed, is already initiating in us upon earth certain beginnings of the Heavenly Kingdom, and in this mortal and fleeting life affords a certain forecast of an immortal and... Continue Reading

“If Paul and the other disciples needed prayer, how much more so do those who lead, shepherd, and oversee us in the church! And they need our prayers, not just when there is controversy in the church. Not just when they are ill.”   The warning in the book of James to teachers is sobering,... Continue Reading