How Would Paul Use a Church Directory? He’d Look for Grace on Every Page.
By Caleb Batchelor | 01.20.2021Pull out your church directory and notice God’s grace in predestination, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
How Church Discipline Aims at Heaven
By Chopo Mwanza | 9Marks Journal: Heaven: Rejoicing in Future Glory | 12.22.2020When we think of church discipline, it’s easy for us to detach it from our future hope. But we must guard against that temptation.
Guarding One Another
By Bobby JamiesonChurch Discipline While church discipline is never easy, it is sometimes a necessary, albeit painful, part of the Christian life. This helpful study guide tackles the difficult topic in six chapters designed to focus discussion on the interpretation and application of biblical texts. Participants will discover the role of church discipline and learn how to […]
“What Exactly Should We Be Looking For?”: Reflections on My Recent Search for a Church
By Simona Gorton | 12.07.2020If you’re looking for a church, I invite you to ask some of the same questions we asked and to examine a few of the principles laid out in Scripture.
Episode 152: On Virtual “Church”
By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 11.24.2020For years, certain churches and ministries have referred to “virtual church” or “attending church online.” This year of COVID-19—the “anti-gathering virus,” as Mark puts it in this episode—has made such phrases even more popular.
Do Virtual Churches Actually Exist?
By Jonathan Leeman | 11.09.2020Christian, you and I can “download” biblical truths virtually. Wonderful. Yet we cannot feel and experience and witness those truths becoming enfleshed in the family of God.
Episode 150: On Cleaning the Membership Rolls – Part 2 (with Matt Schmucker)
By J. Leeman, M. Dever, M. Schmucker | 11.03.2020Episode 149 explained what “cleaning the rolls” means, and why pastors should lead their churches to do it. Episode 150 continues the conversation, but focuses on how to actually get it done.
Episode 149: On Cleaning the Membership Rolls – Part 1 (with Matt Schmucker)
By J. Leeman, M. Dever, M. Schmucker | 10.27.2020Some churches report hundreds of members, with dozens in attendance. These churches need to “clean their rolls.”
The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love
By Jonathan LeemanReintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline When the world speaks of “love,” it often means unconditional acceptance. Many churches have adopted this mind-set in their practice of membership and discipline–if they have not done away with such structures entirely. “Yet God’s love and God’s gospel are different than what the world expects,” writes […]
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.
When Looking for a Church, Beware the “Right Fit”
By Murray Campbell | 08.31.2020“I’m looking for a church that’s just like me.” Few people would say it quite so crassly, but the sentiment is common.
A Strict But Clear Definition of the Church Brings Freedom
By Caleb Greggsen | 08.24.2020How would you, according to Scripture, define the church? Does this definition free you up or weigh you down?
Why Churches Should Excommunicate Longstanding Non-Attenders
By Alex Duke | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 08.14.2020I’ve never met a growing and mature Christian who doesn’t regularly attend a gospel-preaching church.
Further Reflections on Recent Conversations about Christian Freedom
By Jonathan Leeman | 07.27.2020Why would 9Marks feel compelled to respond to Grace Community Church’s elders and raise these points right now?
Episode 139: Remembering J. I. Packer
By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 07.22.2020Jonathan Leeman asks Mark Dever to reflect on his friendship with J. I. Packer.
