We all recognize that that first act of repentance is only the beginning. We recognize that sins must be mortified. We recognize that there is the problem of indwelling sin in the life of the believer. But I suspect that we don’t often attach repentance to these things. In part, this may be because we... Continue Reading

Scudder worries here that many churches attempt to help the poor but they operate out a poor theology of poverty and a poor understanding of economics. This type of ignorance can put churches in positions where they are enabling poverty or, even worse, hurting those they intend to help.  Scudder also worries that “pastors in... Continue Reading

“The clergy housing allowance isn’t a government establishment of religion, but just the reverse,” ERLC President Russell D. Moore said. “The allowance is neutral to all religions. Without it, clergy in small congregations of all sorts would be penalized and harmed. We will continue to fight to protect the housing allowance, because we believe clergy... Continue Reading

We do not need more movements, more conferences, and more celebrities. We do not need the next big thing. What we need are more churches committed to the way disciples have been made since the Apostles planted a church in Jerusalem two thousand years ago: the slow-going, unspectacular, ordinary ministry of Word and sacrament, where... Continue Reading

University President Loren Swartzendruber announced on Nov. 18 that the school would embark on a six-month “listening period” where students, faculty and staff would be asked to share input with the administration on whether the institution should reverse its ban. During the period, “faculty will not be penalized for violating the policy, meaning some professors... Continue Reading

When asked to provide reasons for their children’s doubts, lack of church involvement or rejection of the Christian faith, respondents cited unrealistic social expectations (28 percent) and negative experiences in church (18 percent) as the primary reasons.   Are pastors’ kids prodigals? A new Barna Group survey uncovered ambiguous results. Senior pastors with children at... Continue Reading

In our attempt to help the poor at our church we were communicating that we, the upper-middle class church people, were better. In giving gifts to their children we were reminding their fathers of their lack. After all, whose responsibility was it to buy gifts for those children? Our church members felt “so good” and... Continue Reading

In other words, the biggest concern is character transformation as believers struggle with various sins and sufferings that are common to all. You will never be nor will you ever produce a perfect person. That can’t be your goal. If it is, you will be disappointed. You have the privilege of seeing God change a person... Continue Reading

Passive Sanctification (David Murray) – With precision yet politeness, David pointed out a current approach of sanctification being offered by certain teachers that puts an unhealthy overemphasis on justification. The idea promoted by these seemingly well-meaning teachers is that the goal of sanctification consists of simply resting in your justification by faith. Though there is an attractiveness to this teaching... Continue Reading

Not only is there a legitimate debate about the effectiveness of the treaty to begin with, and not only will the potential negative implications disproportionately affect the rank-and-file evangelicals the NAE purports to represent, but the treaty’s failure in the Senate is practically assured. The NAE has fallen into the same bad habit that continues... Continue Reading