6 Church Killers That (Unfortunately) Have Stood the Test of Time
Satan was neutralizing local churches 300 years ago in the same way he is today
It’s easy to set up outward, measurable standards of appearance and performance. We like to do this because it validates us, makes us feel successful as Christians and leaders. Yet the outward conformity COULD be merely a cover for the absence of inward dependence. Healthy churches emphasize the gradual, growing work of God’s Spirit within... Continue Reading
Mutual Stroking and the Minister
There is one great temptation for all in the ministry: “Mutual Stroking”
Come into the sacred ministry with eyes wide open. There will be days of sweetness. There will be seasons which are sour. Do not enter the battle thinking it to be a vacation. You might be really happy; you might be really popular; and you might become very rich. And as you serve the Lord, you might also... Continue Reading
Neither Traditional Nor Contemporary
Presenting a third way that shares some of the concerns of both the advocates of “contemporary” and “traditional” worship
The practice of the first 600 years of the church and for the 200 years of Reformation is more ancient than the 18th and 19th-century revisions that his approach seeks to preserve. To the “contemporary worship” folk I say: Perhaps historic worship would interest you more if you saw how truly radical it is? ... Continue Reading
Where’s the Justice at Justice?
It’s hard to fathom how the president who started with the press fluffing his pillows has ended up trying to suffocate the press with those pillows
“It’s hypocritical,” Risen said. “A lot of people still think this is some kind of game or signal or spin. They don’t want to believe that Obama wants to crack down on the press and whistle-blowers. But he does. He’s the greatest enemy to press freedom in a generation.” Washington — Jim Risen is... Continue Reading
Who Will Get to Decide Definition of Marriage?
In a new and different twist, one judge thought the issue was for the legislature and voters to decide, not the courts.
Of all the appeals courts to hear this issue, the 6th Circuit seems more likely to uphold traditional marriage in a 2 to 1 decision. The 10th and 4th circuits have already found traditional marriage rules unconstitutional. And last week, Utah filed a petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court to look at a... Continue Reading
Let the Banner Fly! Protecting the Free Speech Rights of Churches
The city’s banner regulations violated the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment
The City Banner Regulations allow certain groups to display banners containing any viewpoint those groups wish to communicate, except for commercial, political, or religious “advertisements.” Here, [the church] would like to do precisely what other local groups have done (like the Rotary Club and Jaycees), i.e., advertise for a local, community event that is open... Continue Reading
To Those Of You Who Don’t Like To Sing On Sunday
When we don’t feel like singing, the problem isn’t a singing problem, but a seeing problem.
If we could see God as he truly is, we would be utterly undone. We would be singing for joy, kneeling in adoration, and weeping in gratitude. If we saw Jesus in his resurrected, ascended glory, there would be no talk of, “Well, I’m more of the quiet type.” So what should we do when... Continue Reading
Dethroning Celebrity Pastors
How do we protect ourselves from the danger of celebrityism—on whatever level we might experience it?
Pastors who are not held accountable by the church are unprotected from themselves and the temptations of the devil. They are untethered in the storm of ministry and will not just drift with the wind, but will fly away on their own until they crash. Accountability isn’t possible if the pastor is the pope of... Continue Reading
The Gospel According to Cats and Dogs
Don’t trade the bad news of finicky love for the false gospel of unconditional affirmation.
The gospel according to cats offers no grace. The gospels according to dogs expects no obedience. Take your pick: a Christianity without mercy or a Christianity without repentance. Neither are truly Christian. Some people have a gospel according cats. And others have a gospel according to dogs. The gospel according to cats has God saying,... Continue Reading
Genocide in Iraq
What we are now seeing in 2014 is an attempted genocide carried out by the group calling itself Islamic State, or ISIS
Up till now, many in the West have been silent in the face of this evil. The Western media has been silent, not wanting to seem intolerant towards Islamic groups. They have not come to terms with the ideology of radical Islamic thought. Our government has done little until yesterday. Many Western Christians have been... Continue Reading