Why We Shouldn’t Ditch the Traditional Sermon Just Yet
Many views agree that the sermon has had its day.
Most people manage perfectly happily with our 40-minute sermons. The only people who don’t are those who don’t really want to listen to the Word at all. Most people are quite happy to sit, listen and will even chat about stuff they’ve heard later in the week with other church members. It’s almost as if... Continue Reading
Kicking the Can Down the Road: Why The RCA Cannot Have Unity If It Disagrees On Homosexuality
Does Christian unity demand that we stay together even as we stand in dramatic opposition on sexuality, the gospel and how we understand our faith?
The sexually immoral in 1 Corinthians are to be put out because Paul had “already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.” There is a similar theme in 2 Thessalonians 3:14, “If someone does not obey what we say “… take note of such a person, and have nothing to do with... Continue Reading
The RCA Needs a Miracle: A Reflection On What Is Needed For 200 Churches Not To Leave The RCA
A growing consensus has emerged: barring a ‘synod miracle,’ it’s time to graciously leave the RCA. This separation could mean up to 250 conservative churches leaving the RCA.
For the last decades the RCA has been unable to clearly state its thinking on gay marriage, gay ordination and gender identity. The majority believes in a traditional and historic view on these matters while the smaller minority has embraced gay sexuality as a gospel good that should be celebrated. The tensions are high and... Continue Reading
Christ Covenant PCA, Matthews, NC, Worship Center Sustains Roof Damage from Tornado
Letter from Pastor Kevin DeYoung to the Christ Covenant PCA congregation about holding Sunday worship at Carmel Baptist Church 2 miles away
Thankfully, Carmel Baptist Church—just two miles down the road—is graciously opening their building to us. We will have our “morning” service at 4:00 pm on Sunday at Carmel Baptist in their sanctuary. There will be no Sunday School, no “evening” service, and no childcare available…We encourage our folks, as they are able, to worship at... Continue Reading
Your Church and the Priority of Worship
Worship in your little congregation is part of a larger drama that plays out across the universe.
The vision of Revelation 4-5 shows you just how important worship is. If the throne is the central image of the universe, worship is the central activity. The vision describes the attendants around the throne. They include 24 elders, representing the people of God in all times (12 tribes plus 12 apostles), 4 living creatures,... Continue Reading
Talking about the Church…
There is a universal solidarity among believers, throughout all time, based on their union with Christ and the biblical truth they confess.
Theologians have referred to the church militant and the church triumphant. The church militant is the collective group of believers fighting their way to glory. The church triumphant is the collective group of believers who have finished their pilgrimage and have entered into their rest in the presence of God and the Lamb. When theologians... Continue Reading
Worship Involves Participation
Worship is not about us. Worship is about God and his glory.
When we treat worship services like the movie theater or a sporting event, it turns it into something other than what God intends a worship service to be in the first place. When you hear people talking about going to a church because they’re attracted to their “worship” or their “singing” you should have red... Continue Reading
The Problem of Having No Defined Membership
If you don’t have any identifiable membership, one of the passages of scripture that already terrifies me to death as a pastor becomes utterly horrific.
The Lord will ask for an account from me, not just for my soul, nor how I led my family, but how I led my entire church. And it’s worse than that because it’s not just a generic account of my “leadership” but a very specific account for how I have cared for the souls... Continue Reading
Church Apology After Guidance Declares Sex Only For Straight Married Couples
The archbishops of Canterbury and York have apologised after the Church of England (CofE) declared only heterosexual married couples should have sex.
The pastoral guidance was issued to clergy after a recent change in UK law allowed straight couples to tie the knot in a civil ceremony instead of a traditional marriage following a lengthy legal battle. It said civil partnerships should be no more than “sexually abstinent friendships”. The archbishops said in a statement on Thursday:... Continue Reading
It’s What We Do
My very ordinary sermons could be used by an extraordinary God to do something substantial in the lives of my people.
Understanding it is not up to us to produce growth is both frustrating and liberating. The frustration comes from a natural desire to see our ministry have an impact on the lives of our listeners. When growth is not visible, or when it seems that the ground is dry and hard, it can be discouraging.... Continue Reading
