Here is a biblical teaching that is nearly non-existent in the modern church. It is the matter of being a self-governing people. I not talking about congregational rule (polity of how a church is structured). I’m talking about mitigation and mediation among the saints at the local church level. (1 Corinthians 6) In 1982 US…
The Church
Unorganized Religion
The conversation went something like this while helping deliver some groceries to his car from the church food pantry. Me: (friendlies of “how are you?” “Nice weather today.” “How many people are in your home?” “Where are you originally from?”…) Stranger: (with not much of a response…) Me: “When you gather with other believers, where…
But You Are Rich
“…The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 9 ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.10 ‘Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the…
The Autopsy Room
(Book Review of, Autopsy of a Deceased Church. part 1) I’ll confess, at first I was expecting Rainer’s book, Autopsy of a Deceased Church, to be a regular church growth book that would follow the normal predictable agenda of many others. First, I should admit my bias. This is not reported a church growth book.…
An Open Letter to the Church at Eastside Baptist
Dear Eastside Baptist, You have displayed grace, kindness and generosity to me and my family many times this year. As many of you know, I left for what is sure to be the last days I will have the opportunity to see my dad before his passing. When I arrived here last Monday morning my…
How Far Does This Take Us Down the Road?
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20 NASB) This week, while the state of Idaho was forced to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a few pastors in the city of…
The Fight Against God
Many are prepared to say that the war raging in the land for the definition of marriage is over. Look at nearly any online dictionary and you will agree, the modern English language has redefined marriage to include same-sex partners. The agenda to redefine marriage from a biblical worldview has launched the attack in a…
A Castle or Church
A man’s home is his castle… or so goes the saying. But is this a healthy way for a follower of Christ to think of his home? I’ve been reading biographical sketches of Richard Baxter this week and struck by his labor for the good of Kidderminster, the town he pastored. He regarded worship, biblical…
A Plan for Gathering With the Church this Weekend
Earlier today I posted 5 Easy Steps to Avoid Gathering with the Church this Weekend. Hopefully you picked up on the satire and won’t follow those 5 easy steps. Now I want to offer a better plan for you. One that I believe will actually be a blessing to you and not a curse. In…
5 Easy Ways to Avoid Gathering With the Church this Weekend
Five ways to not prepare yourself for this Sunday’s corporate gathering of believers. Wait until Sunday morning to decide if you will gather with other believers. If you’ll do this you will likely be able to avoid submitting yourself to instruction from the preached word. You’ll be able to convince yourself that you don’t really…