Recognized (ordained) leaders—pastors, teachers, elders, deacons—set the pace in teaching the Word, discipling the immature, and extending mercy to those in need. And by setting the pace, leaders motivate, recruit, train, and deploy all the members of the body, each with his or her own gifting from God’s Spirit, to engage in ministries of speaking,... Continue Reading

All Christians are called to garden work, and pastors are called to model it—to labor diligently like farmers as we cultivate the health of the saints under our care. (2 Tim. 2:6). Our churches are “God’s field” (1 Cor. 3:9). This simple truth should reorient the way all Christians view the church. Are you cultivating... Continue Reading

The strength of a mother’s grief does not establish that her child had become her god. Weariness does not, by itself, reveal an idol of comfort. A person who longs for companionship may need the church to draw near. Sin can be present alongside suffering, but we must understand what we are addressing. Otherwise, we... Continue Reading

The attached liturgy is the fruit of my labors. It includes, in italics, theological remarks designed to justify the changes I have made in the original. It also includes the liturgy itself, amended and emended to reflect the Reformed theology that I believe is the pulsing heart our Protestant faith.       INTRODUCTION In August of... Continue Reading

The evangelical Bishop of Ebbsfleet, Rob Munro, has defended remaining within the Church of England…Meanwhile, William Taylor, Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, has questioned whether evangelicals should be associated with CofE bishops that he regards as false teachers. Preaching a sermon from Titus 3, Taylor asked, ‘How can you possibly be allowing somebody who is... Continue Reading

In Old Testament times, not even a naturally born Israelite could take part in the Passover without first being circumcised (Exod. 12:43-49). In the New Testament era, only a baptized person should be allowed to participate in the Lord’s supper. Baptism serves as the sacrament of entrance into the fellowship of confessing believers, and the... Continue Reading

The early church devoted itself to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Those priorities remain essential. Many churches today treat worship and prayer too casually, acting as though just because Jesus is a Friend to sinners, that He can be approached casually. He is a holy God, and worship... Continue Reading

Theology is paramount. It is the mind and heart’s action of bending toward God as a plant leans toward the light.   It is two o’clock in the morning. A Christian man stands in a hospital hallway as his wife lies asleep in the room behind him. He’s holding a cup of coffee in his... Continue Reading

John Adams said in 1776: “Public Virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private, and public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics.” It is easy to look out there and see how immoral things are and call for changes, especially when we are not in the driver’s seat politically, but we must also cultivate... Continue Reading

Every Christian should seek to protect their own name as well as that of others. The Westminster Larger Catechism tells us that keeping the ninth commandment requires us to promote the “good name of our neighbor, as well as our own” (Q. 144). Protecting and safeguarding the name of the PCA and its property is... Continue Reading

There’s nothing wrong with being strong or tall or possessing a plethora of leadership qualities. In fact, such traits will come in handy. And we’re told that David, who became the anointed king, was “glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features” (1 Samuel 16:12). No, the problem lays with placing priority... Continue Reading