What would you say if you were a pastor, officiating at a wedding ceremony and the bride decided that she was going to decline accepting the wedding ring? Can you picture that? A wedding is the establishment of a sacred…
Why is my blog title: "A Brick in the Valley"?
While it is true that our church is made out of bricks, the title for my blog points to the New Testament metaphor that Christians are “living stones” or bricks. If you are a Christian, then you are a “brick.”…
Reach Out to Those Who Unplug from Church
You can probably think of someone who has stepped away from involvement in a local church. There are many reasons people decide to pull away. They find a sport or some other form of entertainment that takes the place of…
Word Study on Koinonia/Fellowship
Sharing life together is one of the greatest challenges for local churches in the 21st century. I believe the church needs more true biblical fellowship. This word study on koinonia/fellowship will be valuable reading. Click here.
What should an officiating pastor say to a bride who won’t accept the wedding ring?
Let me ask it a different way. What should a pastor say to those who profess faith but take a pass on baptism?
Wise Leadership Amidst Differences in a Local Church
I know there are so many sermons available online, but I would encourage you to watch this one. Ostensibly, Bethlehem Baptist has some significant disagreement about whether non-immersed people should be allowed to join the church. In this sermon, John…
What Makes a Pre-School S.S. Teacher?
The other night at dinner our five year old, Mary Beth, surprised me by summarizing the doctrine of the Trinity. I know that I am more than a little biased, but for a five year old it was a pretty…
What is the Most Crying Need of the Church Today?
Justin Taylor has posted a summary of how some leading pastors and theologians answered that question. Click here. If you only read one of the answers, I would recommend Dever’s. Remember the Church (composed of local churches) is as much…
On Being Salt and Light
Tullian Tchividjian reminds Christians that transformed people are called to transform culture. (Read it here). Certainly, this transformation includes evangelism. But, we should also transform culture by being salt and light wherever God has called us to live and serve.
Home School, Public School, or Private?
Josh Harris wisely encourages his church (apparently a new members class? This was at a Member’s Meeting, see Gunny’s comment below) on how they should interact with one another about the choices families make in their children’s education. HT: Justin…