Contextualization
Contextualization, as it is commonly practiced, is a trojan horse for worldly propaganda that threatens the future vitality of the church; the sheep are starved in order to reach the goats.
Some might raise the objection that contextualization is unavoidable. They’d argue that everyone is a product of his or her own culture. They’d say that no one is unaffected by their own culture, and it is arrogant to think anyone can “transcend” his own culture. To a degree, I’ll concede this point. It is true... Continue Reading
Final Tally From PCA Presbyteries on Overture 15
The data, in my opinion, reveals two competing opinions within the PCA on whether the sexuality issue among ordained officers has been resolved.
O15 was one of three overtures presbyteries considered in 2022-23 on the topic of sexuality. Overture 29 (O29) and Overture 31 (O31) passed in a supermajority of presbyteries and will come to the floor of GA this summer, where a simple majority vote of commissioners will amend the BCO with their language. Two sexuality overtures—Overture... Continue Reading
Read This First: Motivation For Shepherds
If your motivation for ministry has faded and shepherding seems like just something else to do, let me encourage you to take steps to renew your first love.
Shepherding is challenging and rewarding—but it won’t bring you the rewards that are often coveted in this world. This is why proper motivation for ministry is so important. Its reward in this life is the joy of serving the One who died for you when you serve those he has entrusted to your care. Jesus’s... Continue Reading
COVID-19 Reflection
Enough time has passed that the church can calmly, methodically evaluate her COVID-19 decisions, actions that were of historical significance with profound consequences for the spiritual health of the church.
Actions of massive significance call for significant accountability. Self-reflection is a good spiritual discipline, also for church leaders. Did we engage in spiritual abuse when we turned away faithful worshipers? Were we condescending toward mask-wearers seeking to protect vulnerable family members? Did we demand submission to civil government on matters better left to individual conscience?... Continue Reading
Seeing Evil in All It’s Terrifying Power; So We Trust God Who is Sovereign Over it All (Job pt13)
There are terrifying supernatural forces at work in the world that are the source of pain and suffering. But they’re not God’s equal.
Satan rages against God and against God’s people and plans. We need to be aware of that. God is good, but sometimes he allows Satan to strike with all his evil intent within the limitations God places on him, though God will use it for his glory and our good even if we never know... Continue Reading
New Releases from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
Releases include a new book on worship, “Trembling Joy,” by Rev. Ryan Speck and a new podcast, “Hear the Word of God,” featuring Rev. Eric Alexander.
In “Trembling Joy,” Pastor Ryan Speck answers the question, “What if worship style were more than a matter of personal taste?” by showing how the Bible’s own definition and description of worshiping God should impact the church… Presenting the teaching ministry of Rev. Eric Alexander, “Hear the Word of God” has joined the Alliance’s Podcast... Continue Reading
PCA Post-Memphis: Revive or Divide?
Soon, Commissioners will be heading to Memphis for the Presbyterian Church in America’s (PCA) 50th General Assembly, its Golden Jubilee.
As a denomination, we need to worry exclusively about the second fear outlined in the preamble to the Report and commit ourselves to being a bold witness in the Apostolic model. That means no nuance, no hand wringing, and no compromise. Our BCO needs to include a standard for our officers that is a clear... Continue Reading
Anything Worth Doing, is Worth Doing Badly
There are some things that are so worth doing, that they are worth doing even before you are great at them.
Don’t let an unrealistic expectation of perfection keep you from doing the things that are most good for your soul and most glorifying to God. Pick up your Bible, pray, evangelize, encourage the church, and follow God wherever He leads. If it’s worth doing, be willing to put in the awkward reps of early attempts.... Continue Reading
The God Who Knows
Because Jesus was weak and tempted, He knows.
There is such comfort in understanding that Jesus knows what you are going through. He sees it all, so understands the facts of it. But he also knows what it is like to face the most grievous circumstances, to endure the greatest sorrows, to face the fiercest temptations. Which means that as you face the... Continue Reading
You Shall Know Them by Their Fruits…
What are the “fruits” of false prophets that we are to judge?
People cannot identify false prophets by the way they appear because they come to us disguised to look as one would expect true prophets, or true Christians, to look. You can only judge false prophets by their false prophecies and false teachings because when they appear at your door, online, or on television, they look like... Continue Reading
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