The Case for the Pastor-Educator
Too few Christian school leaders have in-depth theological and pastoral training and too few pastors have formal training in effective pedagogy.
We need more than just trained leaders. We also need a bigger kingdom vision which would lead to greater cooperation. It would help if churches and schools formed cooperative partnerships for the sake of the kingdom. I don’t mean more church-run schools, which are generally in decline and may not be the best model for... Continue Reading
A Different Kind of Uniting Church and Home
An interview with Eric Wallace
Wallace’s book, Uniting Church and Home, has been blamed (or praised) for starting the “family integrated church” movement which rejects age-segregated practices like Sunday school. But he never started the movement. And he never said age-segregation was wrong. As he states in his book: “By a ‘house-hold approach’ I do not mean moving out of... Continue Reading
Ernest Angley’s Grace Cathedral Rocked By Accusations Involving Abortions And Vasectomies
The Beacon Journal spoke individually with 21 former members of the church who insist that Angley has been running a cult, not a church,
Some former members believe Angley has an ulterior motive in trying to prevent his parishioners from having children. Among them is Greg Mulkey of Barberton….“He doesn’t want people to have kids because it would take their time and money away from [the church],” he said. “He really forced people into abortions through scare tactics, as... Continue Reading
Those Suffering Domestic Violence
The month of October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month
“The number of occurrences of domestic violence is staggering. At least one-in-four women are or will be victims of domestic violence in her lifetime. Statistics point to the fact that the overwhelming majority of domestic violence victims are women. There are male victims out there as well, who sometimes suffer from the added burden of... Continue Reading
Dear Brittany: Why We Don’t Have To Be So Afraid of Dying & Suffering That We Choose Suicide
Come November 1, Brittany Maynard plans to take a pill given to her by her doctors and choose her own death to avoid hospice and related suffering from cancer
“After I read Brittany’s story yesterday… my friend Kara Tippetts dropped an email into my inbox — Kara was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36. She has 4 young children. She continues to battle that cancer two years later as it has crossed the blood/brain barrier and has metastasized into her entire body. I’ve... Continue Reading
Sola Gratia: Christians Are Saved by the Grace of God Alone
The Reformers understood the importance of the grace of God to the Bible’s teaching on salvation
“Where does the line of difference between Rome and the Reformation lie? It lies in a single word—sola (“alone”). The Reformers maintained that the sinner is saved by the grace of God, His unmerited favor, alone. This doctrine means that nothing the sinner does commends him to the grace of God, and that the sinner... Continue Reading
The Uniqueness of the Bible
What is the Bible? This question could be (and has been) answered numerous ways
“The Bible presents no mere philosophical or moral message, but is the gripping account of the plan of redemption promised, accomplished, and applied by God himself. God shows himself to be at work on the stage of history, and with sovereign mastery lays out an intricate plot concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of... Continue Reading
How To Engage Culture As A Christian
We need to be reminded that we bring our Christian worldview with us when we enter the doors of a museum and a concert hall
“On a recent Wednesday night at the 92nd Street Y, longtime Rolling Stone editor Anthony DeCurtis interviewed Aretha Franklin about her forthcoming album. It was the first public preview, and I was placed on the guest list because of a connection I have to Mr. DeCurtis. After the interview, the audience was invited to submit... Continue Reading
Everybody Wants It, but Nobody Seems to Get Any
Almost everything I know about time management I know from not having enough and learning from mistakes I’ve made in mismanaging that finite resource
No one cares about your margin as much as you do. Getting more starts with self-leadership. We have to determine to create it and defend it. Without that determination, the pressures of our work environment, fear about our finances, or the escapism of work will eat up the time we need for the things that... Continue Reading
Houston, We Have A Problem
Angry over voter lawsuit, city demands to pick through sermons, other communications from pastors who aren’t involved
“The message is clear: oppose the decisions of city government, and drown in unwarranted, burdensome discovery requests,” the brief states. “These requests, if allowed, will have a chilling effect on future citizens who might consider circulating referendum petitions because they are dissatisfied with ordinances passed by the City Council. HOUSTON – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys... Continue Reading