Sinclair Ferguson to Retire as Pastor of First Presbyterian (ARP), Columbia, SC
Date to be set after March 18th
In the note in ‘First Things’, Ferguson shared these thoughts with the congregation: I do not really need to remind you of the first thing. Christ alone is our anchor. Our church is first and, foremost Jesus Christ’s Church. He has built us together here over the centuries; his servants have come and gone. But... Continue Reading
Update: Samuel Patton Beachy, 4, Son of PCA Pastor, Dies of Rare Genetic Disorder
CHARGE Syndrome claims life of Samuel Beachy
Samuel Patton Beachy, 4, son of Rev. and Mrs. Grant Beachy, died on Tuesday morning, February 19, 2013. Samuel’s father is the pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jacksonville, N.C. He died of CHARGE Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that effects one in every 9,000-10,000 births worldwide. Samuel would have been five next week.... Continue Reading
Texas Teen Wins Right to Have Baby after Suing Parents
A pregnant Texas teen has won the right to have her baby after claiming her parents were forcing her to abort the child
The teen was represented by the Texas Center for Defense of Life, who say they see the agreement as a victory in the fight against abortion. “Right now it’s a victory for life. And we’re glad that they stood up for the right to life and that they recognized, our client recognized that her child... Continue Reading
Study: To Use or Not Use the Denomination’s Name in the Local Church Name?
New study looks at the impact of denominational references in church names
The study asked both the unchurched and people who regularly attend a denominational Protestant church about the impact of a church including a denominational reference in its name….The research reveals that the decision to include or exclude a denominational reference in the name is a two-edged sword, with advantages and disadvantages to both choices. ... Continue Reading
Suffering and African American Theology – Part 2
Like its southern counterpart, the theology of empowerment addressed personal and social core concerns as well as salvation by grace through faith in Christ
In order to follow in their tradition and that of our African American forebears in the North and South, we must do comparable theology, addressing today’s issues. Reformed African Americans are in a prime position to play a significant role in contemporary church history. The theology of empowerment has given us valuable insights needed to... Continue Reading
Tim Tebow Throws in the Towel
Tebow backs out of planned appearance at First Baptist Church in Dallas
“While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ’s unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance.” I will continue to use the platform... Continue Reading
Keep Calm and Carry On: Assessing Tim Tebow’s Public Testimony
The culture is transforming but not in ways conducive to religious freedom in general or Christianity in particular
We really should try not to make such figures into those to whom we look for leadership and guidance. That role should be fulfilled by the elders in your local church and the experienced saints whom you know personally and with whom you have an actual relationship. Tim Tebow has, as far as I know,... Continue Reading
Why You Should Hire ‘Athletes,’ No, Not Those, the Jack-of All-Trades
In startup companies the utility players are called ‘athletes;’ in the church they are called pastors – because they have to be able to tackle many tasks
One of our early decisions was not to hire specialists, but generalists–we call them athletes, because they can play every position. These jacks-of-all-trades types are the best kind of early employee you can have at a start-up. They may not be the best at any one particular skill, but they have lots of good skills... Continue Reading
If You Expect Fruit Without a Tree, You’re Nuts
We can't be good people without being God people first
We equate love with indifference to sin when the Bible’s logic is exactly the opposite. The cross is the fullest expression of God’s love not because it shows God’s indifference to sin, but because it shows God’s holy hatred toward sin and his willingness to pay for it himself. That’s love. At the end of... Continue Reading
Why the Afterlife Bores Us
Too many Christians see the hope of resurrection life as a capstone on their lives now
If we miss this, then we become just like those with no hope. We talk about our “bucket lists” of what we have to do before we’re gone since “you only live once.” We worry about our future and we nurse grudges because we fear our lives can be ruined by circumstances instead of by... Continue Reading