Pursuing a Ph.D While Planting?
Like many in our small world, I did not stop my formal education after seminary. In fact, I did another Master’s degree (History) and went through to the Doctorate (History). Last Monday, I finished my final seminar. In the fall, I have a private readings scheduled and then I sit for comprehensive examinations in March...
An Interview with Sam Wheatley
At their 2012 winter meeting, the Northern California Presbytery received a request to conduct a study on a topic that, so far ,has proven too hot to handle–woman in the diaconate. This request came from Pastor Sam Wheatley of New Song Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, UT. Following this Presbytery meeting Wheatley’s paper was...
Video – Re-Imagining Theological Education
I recently came across a very interesting short video from the folks at 3dm. It profiles some of the issues that have bothered me about theological education. While their solution isn’t being talked about much here, do you think they have the right diagnosis? It seems like this video shares the thinking that the PCA...
Can Pastors Have Real Friends?
Isolation is the pastor’s enemy. And it’s the enemy to the pastor’s family. Dark times, sometimes long and painful, are as regular to guy in the pew as they are to the guy in pulpit. The big difference is that the guy in the pew has real friends. The pastor typically doesn’t. Should I Make...
In Defense of “Brokenness”
Recently The Gospel Coalition ran an article by Randy Newman, expressing concern over the use of the term “brokenness.” While I agreed in part with Mr. Newman, he presented too broad a condemnation of the idea. I would argue that the language of brokenness is an important part of our vocabulary, not for avoiding deeper...
Resolution 2 – Regarding Fellowship Among Elders
The following is an overture from Vintage73.com to the 39th General Assembly*: OVERTURE V73-2 from Vintage73.com “Regarding Fellowship Among Elders” Whereas, we have not seen many of our favorite pastor friends in a very long time. Whereas, Jesus encourages us in John 13:34-35 that the world will know we are Christians by our public love...
The 2010 Strategic Plan: Answering an Objection
As the PCA’s General Assembly met this year, the item that consumed most of its energy was the Strategic Plan presented by the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC). The primary objection raised against the SP from the floor was its lack of scriptural analysis. It was argued that commissioners were voting on a document replete with...
The 2010 Strategic Plan: Dispelling a Voting Myth
The Twittersphere was abuzz as General Assembly convened last week in Nashville, and the tweets weren’t coming only from commissioners. I’d say that people who get so excited about watching GA on their computer screens probably need some counseling or at least a new hobby, but I was one of them! I started attending GA...
Can We Say We’re Connectional?
One of the things I treasure about biblical Presbyterianism is connectedness. When I was a young boy, growing up in an independent Baptist context, I remember being chided when I asked why we didn’t have elders and why we were not “connected” though the New Testament indicates that churches were elder led and connected. Flash...
The Importance of Discussing Alternative Credentialing Paths
This post is part of a series of discussions on Vintage73 focusing on the PCA’s proposed strategic plan. We’ll provide both pro and con positions on different aspects of the plan. To benefit most from these posts we suggest you read the plan itself first. We’re thankful to the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC) for their hard...
Alternative Credentialing: Do We Need New Avenues to Ordination?
This post marks the first in a new series of discussions on Vintage73 focusing on the PCA’s proposed strategic plan. We’ll provide both pro and con positions on different aspects of the plan. To benefit most from these posts we suggest you read the plan itself first. We’re thankful to the Cooperative Ministries Committee (CMC)...
The PCA and America’s Changing Demography
2042 is the year many project the United States not to be an all-white majority. While I am unsure of the demographic makeup of the PCA, I have been to enough Presbytery meetings, General Assembly and numerous PCA churches across the country to know that we are out of sync with America’s 2010 demography. I...
