Dr. John Oliver Retires from Reformed Theological Seminary
A letter from RTS
Dr. Michael Kruger, president of the Charlotte campus, said, “There are few professors that have shaped the Charlotte campus like John Oliver. His passion for faithful expository preaching, his love of Christ-centered worship, and his heart for missions has transformed an entire generation of pastors. He will be deeply missed.” Dear Friends, With deep... Continue Reading
Why I Am Not Too Excited About Church Planting
Is there a better way organize Christians and grow disciples than church planting?
It’s an article of faith among Evangelicals that we should plant more churches. But something within me asks, “Is this really the best way to reach the world?” I don’t want to cast a shadow over one of the few bright spots in evangelicalism today. But I’ve got to admit that I’m not very excited... Continue Reading
Should A Pastor Be Discouraged About His Declining Church?
Is declining or plateauing always a sign of trouble in a church?
I have a growing concern the more I learn about many of the materials out there addressing this problem. If we are going to characterize local churches as “declining” then we are basing a church’s health on how many people attend. How many people now attend a church verses ten years ago and why does... Continue Reading
Prayer for Dr. Newt and Becky Wilson
Former president of Belhaven is facing serious medical issues
Urgent prayer is needed for Dr. Newt Wilson, our dear friend, and former President of Belhaven. He has had a series of medical complications, that appear will not be solved without a liver and a kidney transplant. Newt is on the list for a transplant, but he’s not been stable enough to move up the... Continue Reading
Sacrificing Church for Sports
Combatting the issue often requires a change in the parents’ hearts.
“[Parents] will make sure Johnny goes to sports, but when it comes to church, … the families that have children in sport will sacrifice church for the sake of their son or daughter’s sports program, so sports is another huge reason why our church is declining,” said one pastor surveyed in the study. And the... Continue Reading
Philadelphia Abortion Clinic Horror
Why is the media silent on the trial of the abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell?
Let me state the obvious. This should be front page news. When Rush Limbaugh attacked Sandra Fluke, there was non-stop media hysteria. The venerable NBC Nightly News’ Brian Williams intoned, “A firestorm of outrage from women after a crude tirade from Rush Limbaugh,” as he teased a segment on the brouhaha. Yet, accusations of babies... Continue Reading
Why Have We Stopped Protecting Our Daughters?
It is so important to raising our young girls to be whole, modest of heart, and content with who God created them to be
By in large, the family in Western culture has stopped protecting its girls. Today’s young women are growing up way too quickly. We have abandoned our protective role for young women, especially in regards to guiding them in male-female relations and marriage. Hollywood programs geared to teens and young adults often glamorize the idea of... Continue Reading
Attorney General sues florist for refusing to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding
Ferguson is suing to fine Arlene’s Flowers & Gifts for every infraction of Washington’s Consumer Protection Act
Robert Ingersol and Curt Freed are the gay couple in question, and they had been customers of Stutzman for over ten years. So the florist wasn’t refusing service to gay people in general. The florist simply didn’t want to participate in a same-sex ceremony. She describes what happened when Ingersol asked for her to provide... Continue Reading
N.T. Wright, the Reformation, and the Gospel
What are some of the main points of N. T. Wright’s perspective on Paul? From Cornelius Venema's The Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ
For Wright, the main point of Christ’s death and resurrection was a fulfillment of Israel’s exile and restoration, but not necessarily a substitutionary atonement for condemned sinners. Christ’s death and resurrection are the means whereby the promise of the covenant is extended to God’s people worldwide, but not necessarily a propitiative, expiative, and penal substitution... Continue Reading
The Steward: The Real Meaning of Servant Leadership
The last thing the church needs is warmed over business theories decorated with Christian language
The biblical concept of a steward is amazingly simple and easy to understand. The steward is one who manages and leads what is not his own, and he leads knowing that he will give an account to the Lord as the owner and ruler of all. Stewards are entrusted with responsibility. Indeed, stewards in the... Continue Reading