Polity
Long-Term Consequences of Pragmatism in the Church
By Jonathan Leeman | 08.22.2014Is there something not just to megachurches, but to post-1950s-evangelicalism as a whole that, over time, tends to undermine the very doctrinal convictions which makes us evangelicals?
What Is a Local Church?
By Jonathan Leeman | 08.22.2014It’s the institution which Jesus created and authorized to pronounce the gospel of the kingdom, to affirm gospel professors, to oversee their discipleship, and to expose impostors.
Don’t Assume the Bible Is Silent about the Church
By Bobby Jamieson | 08.21.2014Have you ever assumed something that turned out to be wrong? I sure have. For two years I called a good friend “Steve” only to discover that this gracious and … keep reading…
The Kingdom Gain of Congregationalism
By Jonathan Leeman | 08.21.2014Congregationalism is administratively inefficient. It provokes quarrelling and divisiveness. It caters to the most immature members of a church. It cultivates individualism. It undermines pastors. And it just might add … keep reading…
How Congregations with Authority Submit to Elders
By Bobby Jamieson | 08.21.2014If the congregation as a whole is the final court of appeal, what does it mean for a church to submit to its leaders?
Historical Reflections on Baptism and Church Membership
By Aaron Menikoff | 06.18.2014Maybe it simply worth noting that there is a long history, first in England, then in the States, of Baptists addressing the question of whether the unbaptized should be accepted into the … keep reading…
I Move We Don’t Vote So Much!
By Greg Gilbert | 06.17.2014There’s an interesting pattern I’ve noticed in evangelical churches: The smaller the church, the more frequent the votes. Most of the mega-churches in the evangelical world don’t seem to do a whole lot … keep reading…
“The Sin of Infant Baptism”, Written by a Sinning Baptist
By Mark Dever | 06.13.2014In my article in the new 9Marks e-journal, I wrote, “I have many dear paedo-baptists friends from whom I have learned much. Yet I see their practice as a sinful (though … keep reading…
This Paedobaptist Agrees with Mark
By R. Scott Clark | 06.13.2014I’m quite convinced that the Baptists are wrong, but Mark is right that it’s sinful to remain unbaptized.
Looking to the Bible On the Multi-Site Issue
By Greg Gilbert | 06.12.2014Let me say first of all what a privilege it was to have been invited to participate in the panel discussion at Southern Seminary a couple of weeks ago. I … keep reading…
What Members Are Asking about Elders
By Aaron Menikoff | 06.11.2014If you are reading this blog post, you may very well be at a church that is already led by a plurality elders. You may, like me, be at a … keep reading…
A Non-assembled Assembly
By Jonathan Leeman | 06.10.2014Gregg Allison recently posted on the topic of multi-site churches. Honestly, I hesitate to say anything at all because (i) we all agree that this issue is not the most important one … keep reading…
Clarifying “Congregationalism”
By Jonathan Leeman | 06.10.2014Like his first post on congregationalism, James MacDonald’s second post serves us who are congregationalists. First, it’s always a blessing to have friendly critics seriously engage with your ideas. Second, polity is important. A … keep reading…
Book Review: Manual of Church Order, by John L. Dagg
Review by John Power | 9Marks Journal: Evangelism - Part 2 | 10.21.2013Pastors should read this book. However, I will say that a close, detailed reading from cover to cover may not be required.
Why New Testament Polity Is Prescriptive
By Bobby Jamieson | 9Marks Journal: Is Scripture Enough? | 07.16.2013Does the Bible tell us how to structure our churches? Yes.