The problem, as I see it, is not with the lack of imagination of this new generation, but with religious institutions themselves—many of which have allowed their leaders to become rock stars, their communities to become clubs of like-minded believers, and their doctrines to become rigid, with an over-emphasis on discipline and damnation for things... Continue Reading

What began to emerge was a consistent and controversial pattern—one that might damage Woodberry’s career, warned Smith. “I thought it was a great, daring project, but I advised [him] that lots of people wouldn’t like it if the story panned out,” Smith says. “For [him] to suggest that the missionary movement had this strong, positive... Continue Reading

I would put forward the idea that we who hold to biblical truth without giving in to the “god of numbers” are not splitting theological and meaningless hairs at all, but seeking to uphold the very foundations of the Christian Faith. I believe those who measure the success of their ministry by the “nickels and... Continue Reading

While all Christians affirm the necessity and reality of the experiential dimension of faith, the experience must be grounded in and accountable to the Word of God. This is of central importance to the question of worship, for, left to our own devices, we will be inclined to seek worship that meets our desire for... Continue Reading

But we are deceived if we think we’re free because we have no commitment. In reality, Christians who think they’ve made no commitments, who believe themselves free, are slaves to the worst kind of obligation: commitment to self. All of our personal histories should be enough to convince us that the First Christian Church of Me is... Continue Reading

Following David in this, as well as all the examples he sets for us is neither to embrace moralism nor legalism, but an effort to grow in our faith – to look to God to save us and work through even as David did.  Insofar as David demonstrates the spirit of Christ, he sets an... Continue Reading

Like everything else, you need a divine calling to do it, persevere in it, and get joy in it. But you don’t see a lot of immediate fruit in lecturing. You do it in faith, believing that some years down the line a student will remember and use what you taught them and use it... Continue Reading

In other words, we believe that the early creeds and at least one post-Reformatation confession are necessary for defining biblical Christianity. The Conservative Christian Declaration builds upon traditional Christian doctrine additional distinctives we believe to be important.   Over the past six months, I have collaborated with a group of pastors and ministry educators to formulate... Continue Reading

Urban church plants abound, books with titles like For the City or Why Cities Matter multiply, and conferences get titles like “Urban Mission: How to Flourish Your City with the Gospel.” All of this may be the start of a real demographic shift in the American church. Or it might just be a passing fad.... Continue Reading

I do not have the expertise or the zeal to address the question as a whole.  However, I believe that a simple case study can do some good in showing this balanced approach to preaching from the Old Testament.  Let us consider the famous story of David and Goliath and different ways we might approach... Continue Reading