A pastor can expect criticism because we often preach below-average sermons. (After one sermon, a guy asked me, “So where do you work during the week?” My sermon apparently gave him the impression that preaching wasn’t my vocation.) I have often been asked what it was like to pastor at Covenant Life Church for 27... Continue Reading

On a related note, the “worship wars” will become a thing of the past. Our society’s musical taste are too fragmented for there to be a “contemporary” and “traditional” style. Young people are less and less likely to choose a church based on the style of music. The temptation in predicting trends is that we... Continue Reading

…does not discriminate against non-Christians, and operates within the admittedly-restrictive boundaries of pluralistic law. Yet, it is unashamed of stating publicly how its corporate culture and values are shaped by Biblical precepts… I, myself, am grateful for Christians endeavoring to do whatever they do to the glory of God. As Eric Liddell’s colleague in Chariots... Continue Reading

Second in our series of Alternative Plans published on The Aquila Report. This one came from PCA Teaching Elder Martin Hedman and was entitled: A Viable and Voluntary Alternative to Fund the PCA Administrative Committee. For Alternative Plan Number One, go to http://bit.ly/hbCePp First Published September 14, 2010: This past summer, the 38th General Assembly... Continue Reading

“PCA” is not a uniform brand. We don’t even have an official logo, after all these years! MacDonalds is the same the world over. But every PCA church is different. You cannot move to another town, and look up the PCA church there, and know what you are going to get. A while ago I... Continue Reading

Rigorous catechesis was prevalent in the early church and again during the Reformation. These days, many pastors downplay doctrine in a misguided effort to fill pews or avoid conflict. Congregations don’t require a lengthy formation, and often welcome new members after an hour of instruction, if that. My family watches Jeopardy! every night. My husband,... Continue Reading

Do you want to capture your children’s hearts? Do you want to fascinate people with the love of God? Do you yourself need your burning embers fanned into a flash of warm flame again? Logic and imperative will never ever begin to touch the deeps that lie in the heart of man, the deeps that... Continue Reading

For the past 9 months, in addition to running stories either for or against the BCO 14 plan (we published more against since we received more than we did from individuals in favor), The Aquila Report has also published stories advocating other possibilities. In the apparent defeat of the proposed changes to the PCA Book... Continue Reading

So the rules on who is called “St. Somebody” and who is not are more of a common consent business than any action of any council. Having said all of this there is room for most of us to call the apostles and early fathers “Saint” because of their venerable positions in the Church. News... Continue Reading

So I’m beginning to wonder if it’s “a wrap” on this whole “missional” movement splash, especially in terms of church planting? I can definitely see the wind being taken out of the sails for some. I’ve been particularly curious about crickets I hear when bringing up a few issues among missional Christians: (1) David Fitch... Continue Reading