Geoff Chang
Book Review: Growing Healthy Asian American Churches, edited by Peter Cha, S. Steve Kang, and Helen Lee
Review by Geoff Chang | 09.24.2020My hope is that this book is the beginning of a fruitful conversation among Asian American leaders on what the Bible has to say about growing healthy Asian American churches.
Reflections on ‘One Assembly’ and the Immigrant Church
By Geoff Chang | 07.03.2020As immigrant churches pursue greater independence among their various language congregations, the goal is not simply to have separate churches so that we can cross our t’s and dot our ecclesiological i’s. That’s only half the picture.
Small Beginnings: J. C. Ryle in Exbury
By Geoff Chang | 06.29.2020Pastors are often tempted to be dissatisfied with their churches. Some long for greater prominence and larger congregations. But this dissatisfaction is part of the Enemy’s lies; such outcomes must be left to the Lord.
Small Beginnings: C. H. Spurgeon at Waterbeach
By Geoff Chang | 06.10.2020For so many young pastors, the early years of pastoral ministry can prove daunting. These highlights from Spurgeon’s first pastorate show us what to prioritize in these early years.
Opportunity or Accommodation? Thinking Through Cultural Practices in the Immigrant Church
By Geoff Chang | 04.10.2020Different cultural practices can create an opportunity for growth or lead to a compromise of the gospel. How can churches discern whether or not they’re on the road to compromising the gospel?
Missionaries Need to Know What a Church Is: A Lesson from Adoniram Judson
By Geoff Chang | 01.17.2020The goal of missions is not merely individual conversions. Rather, it’s to see indigenous, gospel-preaching churches planted.
Charles Spurgeon, Women’s Ministry, and Female Preachers
By A. DiPrima, G. Chang | 9Marks Journal: Complementarianism: A Moment of Reckoning | 12.11.2019Spurgeon’s earnest desire was to promote the work of faithful and godly women in the life of the church. Though he believed that the pulpit was closed to women, the world was not.
A Tale of Two Baptist Associations
By Geoff Chang | 09.23.2019Let me tell you the tale of two Baptist associations.
Four Lessons on Church Revitalization from John Knox
By Geoff Chang | 11.15.2018Did you know that John Knox—the champion of the Scottish Reformation, the fearless preacher, the uncompromising prophet—was once defeated by a church business meeting?
The Story of John Calvin and Martin Bucer
By Geoff Chang | 10.12.2018Through his friendship with Martin Bucer, Calvin learned not only how to be a better pastor, but he also grew as a Christian in patience and humility.
5 Ways Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle Cultivated Meaningful Membership
By Geoff Chang | 02.26.2018The goal is for every church to be faithful—in doctrinal purity, in guarding the membership, in active gospel ministry. In this, Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle remain a model for pastors and churches today.
A Step-by-Step Primer for Church Discipline
By Geoff Chang | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018Church discipline would be easier if the church wasn’t made up of people. But Jesus didn’t come for buildings or institutions or events. He came to save a people for himself, sinners like you and me.
Book Review, Churches, Cultures & Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities
Review by Geoff Chang | 9Marks Journal: Is Scripture Enough? | 06.24.2013If you’re looking for a book that explains how cultural differences might play out in the context of the local church, this could be a very helpful resource.
Book Review: Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church, by Soong-Chan Rah
Review by Geoff Chang | 9Marks Journal: The Pastor and his Staff, Part 1 | 06.28.2011This book can be a helpful tool for pastors as they seek to understand the cultural makeup of their churches. But ultimately, its usefulness is limited by how little it focuses on Christ.
