Here is the layman's guide to the key drivers of the 21st century church: 1. Sola Cultura - let culture define church life 2. Sola Successa - let numerical success legitimize activities 3. Sola Entertaina - let entertainment be the guiding...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The Perfect Church, for many modern Americans, is the one where they are the sole member. There are no babies screaming, no poorly delivered sermons, no tithing. It all seems delightfully convenient. You can have your coffee, read the paper, and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
God's plan for His people has always included the raising up of men who would dedicate themselves to do two simple, but powerful things - "prayer and the ministry of the Word." This was clearly stated by the elders in Acts 6:4, who said, "But we...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
First, we believe preaching has everything to do with the family, because the biblical pattern is that families hear the Word of God together in an age-integrated setting during the meetings of the church. And it is critical that both children and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
We need to consider the nature of authority, love, justice and mercy. Our understanding must start with the fact that we can never be more loving than God, more just than God or more merciful than God. When we look at the texts of scripture on...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Last night Dan Horn, Jason Dohm, Steve Breagy and I met with Heritage Christian Church in the Boston area for an elder examination. The elder candidates were Dave Eckerson and Brian Fournier. We asked them many questions about personal life,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Jason Dohm, whom we sent out as a church planter says this about church planting: Church planting is about God taking ground. There is nothing remotely sinister about this, since wherever and whenever the government of God spreads, happiness and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Convenience often is the determining factor for church attendance and regularity is often governed by schedule, weather, whim, and business. In sharp contrast, John G. Paton speaks of his father's devotion to the local church. He walked four miles...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Times of reformation can be challenging because they usually include tests of love. Tempers can flare as "turf" is challenged and well worn practices are questioned. On the one hand, we ought to welcome Christlike debates on important matters,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
John Foxe in the introduction to the 1684 edition to Foxe's Book of Martyrs speaks to one of the core issues of reformation: persecution from within the church. It is the repugnance of those present in the church toward those who have a hand in...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
