A Quarter of Mainline Methodist Churches Left the Denomination Last Year. Now What?
Whether through the GMC or other entrepreneurial networks, a renewed Methodism could contribute mightily to Christian vitality in America.
Over 4,300 exited churches so far have joined the new Global Methodist Church (GMC), which includes churches from the U.S., Africa, the Philippines, and Europe. Many more U.S. churches will join, but some are skittish about losing autonomy. U.S. Protestant Christianity is increasingly nondenominational, with younger people rarely guided by once-strong multigenerational denominational loyalties. Nearly... Continue Reading
The Reformed Reckoning Continues
Traps to watch out for.
Another tendency in the Reformed world is pastors using “expository” preaching as a tactic to avoid courting controversy, as Pastor Matt Marino discussed during the most recent episode of the Old Paths Podcast. In a piece Marino wrote that sparked excellent conversation on the podcast, he explained, “Sermons are not expositional unless and until they... Continue Reading
Gender Confusion and the PCA
The SJC made a strong decision that specifies certain clear and specific steps Metropolitan New York Presbytery must take in order to redress this error.
Earlier this month, the SJC’s ruling was sent to the parties. TE Stephen O’Neill was one of the faithful elders who helped present the case of RPR before the SJC and he joined the podcast to discuss the ruling of the General Assembly in this matter. The SJC is to be commended for its work on... Continue Reading
When the Pastor’s Wife Wants to Quit
Church became that place of dread for me, but I couldn’t walk away from the body of Christ because I knew Jesus loved her. Somehow, so must I.
Though we can damage relationships there by our sinfulness, the church is one of the primary means God has given to us for sanctification and perseverance in the faith. It’s not an optional activity (Heb. 10:25). It’s God’s gift to each of us who used to be far off but have been brought near by... Continue Reading
God’s Faithful Providences in Arkansas: An Addendum to the “Jonesboro 7” Series
Seven men disagreed with their Session on the selection of a pastor. The Session indicted and censured them, the MNA Committee tried to close the church. But God preserved a witness in Jonesboro.
Covenant Presbytery took up the Jonesboro matter again; this time with the hope of reconciliation between members of the Jonesboro congregation and the original Session. This is very good news. It would be a wonderful testimony if the Presbytery not only reconciled with the Jonesboro 7, but also with those who left the visible church... Continue Reading
What’s the Impact of Asbury’s Outpouring? John the Baptist Offers 3 Lessons
How the prophet’s ministry helps us understand what may come next a year after revival broke out.
John the Baptist was always clear that his role was to point to the one coming after him: “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). He was also keenly aware that his ministry was a preparation for a movement that would follow. In the same way, Asbury kept Jesus at the forefront... Continue Reading
This ‘He Saves Us’ Ad Redeems Everything Wrong with the ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl Spot
Jesus preached a gospel of radical repentance, not tolerance or acceptance of sin.
Bambrick is an associate pastor of Hope Church Craigavon in Northern Ireland. His ad draws a strong contrast to the “He Gets Us” Super Bowl ad campaign. It featured art of various people washing other people’s feet, a reference to what Jesus did for his disciples in John 13. I criticized the “He Gets Us”... Continue Reading
The Commission of Christian Leaders
Christian leadership means ministering by the power of the Spirit, by the mind of Christ, and with the wisdom of God.
To be a Christian means that we follow Christ, and to be a Christian leader means that we lead in the name of Christ. We are not free as Christian leaders to teach our own gospel. We are not free to throw away the teachings of Jesus and replace them with our wisdom. The world... Continue Reading
Witnessing at a Pride Parade
The call went out: repent of your sin and believe in the Son of God.
As Jesus prepared to ascend into heaven, he gave his church her marching orders, her commission, her duty until he returns (Matt. 28:18–20). That commission begins with one simple word, “Go”! If the church remains inside her walls, she can maintain a measure of comfort and safety, but it comes at a massive cost in... Continue Reading
How Consumerism Trains Us to Devalue the Past
In today’s topsy-turvy world, youth has status.
The impact of consumerism is one reason why church sessions and elder boards often spend more time than is decent on discussions about worship and programs. Someone will make the point that certain young people have left because the worship is not to their liking and thus the church needs to rethink how it does... Continue Reading