The Church: Universal and Local
By Jonathan Leeman | 08.25.2022Christians throughout history have sometimes emphasized the local or the universal church to the neglect of the other, but a biblical posture emphasizes both.
Why Our Church Moved from Elder-Rule Polity to Elder-Led Congregationalism
By Blake White | 08.23.2022Our church recently transitioned from an “elder-rule” model of church government to “elder-led congregationalism.” As I have talked with pastor friends from various streams, many are stumped as to why we would do that.
Do Elders Receive Their Authority by Congregational Vote?
By Caleb Morell | 08.19.2022Is the congregation, by affirming an elder through congregational vote, conferring authority upon him or simply recognizing him as a God-given gift to the congregation?
Preacher, Don’t Forget to Speak to the Children
By Ray Van Neste | 08.16.2022Week in and week out, the same group of unconverted people come to our worship services—and we practically ignore them.
There’s Absolutely No Substitute for Face-to-Face Ministry—Not Even for an Apostle
By David Daniels | 08.09.2022Is there something indispensable about in-person ministry, something that simply can’t be replicated through long-distance communication?
Working Harder Than Any of Them
By Nick Gardner | 08.08.2022The temptation for slothfulness and inattentiveness to the pastoral office is still present in our day, whether through excessive social media use or the general temptation to be lazy, brought on through material prosperity.
Love for the Immigrant Church is Patient
By John Lee | 08.02.2022Some in the immigrant-church conversation are tired and ready to quit. Others insist on immediate change. How should we approach this discussion?
How Harry Emerson Fosdick’s ‘Open Membership’ Overtook the Northern Baptist Convention
By Caleb Morell | 08.01.2022For conservatives, baptism was not a subjective reality to be left to the conscience of every church and every individual, but an actual command of Christ that they had no liberty to disobey. If Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize only believers by immersion, what authority did they have to edit Jesus?
Evangelical Catholicity and How To Foster It
By Josh Manley | 07.28.2022Catholicity denotes the very Christian unity for which our Lord prayed. How can we foster greater unity among gospel-believing Christians?
Jesus is Not Ashamed of Subjects of Church Discipline
By Erik Raymond | 07.25.2022Jesus instituted church discipline both to maintain the holiness of the church and to remind his people that he forgives them as they repent of their sins and submit to his lordship.
How Should Immigrant Congregations Who Speak Different Languages Relate to One Another?
By John Lee | 07.11.2022Could the way congregations of different languages relate to one another be informed by how denominations connect churches?
Help! I’ve Been Asked to Deliver the Announcements
By Dave Cook | 07.07.2022Sunday morning announcements at church may be understated, but good ones set the tone for a worship service and keep the congregation informed. The time it takes to do them well is worth it.
Aspiring Pastors Need Encouragement, Too: 5 Ways Paul Encouraged Timothy
By Zack DiPrima | 07.06.2022Encouragement from anyone is always good. Encouragement from seasoned saints—especially pastors—builds up young leaders in a pronounced way.
How to Have Fruitful Conversations About the Immigrant Church
By John Lee | 07.01.2022Having a productive conversation about the immigrant church requires both cultural and ecclesiological fluency.
On Keeping Your Greek and Hebrew in Ministry
By Matt Emadi | 06.27.2022Are the original languages really that important?
