Trevin Wax reviews a book in which three authors defend alternative views on baptism. Sharing Trevin’s view as I do, I appreciate the questions that he raises, but also the gracious way in which he does so. A number of…
Collin Hansen’s Top 10 Theological Stories of 2010
One of my favorite young writers is Collin Hansen. You can read his list of the top theological stories from 2009 here. In my considered opinion, this is a good survey.
Maybe give someone a side-hug at church today? It is imperative.
With emphasis on the word, “holy,” and understanding that cultural mores are different, and bearing in mind Ephesians 5:3 – . . . Notice that these verses are in the imperative mood, thereby making them non-optional. Greet one another with…
When America’s Greatest Theologian Got Fired
It is nearly undisputed that Jonathan Edwards was North America’s greatest theologian. And, yet after serving his local church for 20 years, he was dismissed as their pastor. Chris Armstrong reflects on the 1750 dismissal of Jonathan Edwards. Minister. Thinker.…
Is your church observing the Lord’s Supper tomorrow?
Given that tomorrow is the first Sunday of December, I would assume that many churches are observing communion tomorrow. Are you getting ready? Five suggestions for preparing for communion: Take care of broken relationships. Make a phone call. Ask your…
Divine Leverage –Is there someone you could invite to church this Christmas season?
One of the things I love most about how God works is that he often uses small efforts on the part of his people for big results. I call this “divine leverage.” Because God is sovereign, God, and all-powerful, he…
Thanking God for other evangelical pastors in our community
Today is Pastor Eric Geil’s last Sunday at Kishwaukee Evangelical Presbyterian church. For several years, Pastor Don Holmertz (Valley Evangelical Covenant Church) and I have had the privilege of serving along side Eric here in Stillman Valley. The pastors in…
Don’t get too stressed out if there are messes around your church. . .
Sometimes, we wrongly assume that if we move forward as local churches, then church life will be spic and span. But, in a fallen world it is quite the opposite. Proverbs 14:4 reminds us: Where there is no oxen, the…
“If you never did anything in advance, there is relatively little you can do at the time”
In seminary, I began wondering how I would shepherd people through deep valleys. In class, one of my seminary professors, Dr. Crawford, once told a story about a family that faced a terrible tragedy. I raised my hand and asked,…
Brothers and Sisters Stick Together Regardless
The primary way that the New Testament describes the relationship between Christians is that we are brothers and sisters. The point of this post is that we should relate to our local church as to family. If you understand this…