What the PCA Could Learn from Soma: Theology
This is a short four-part series examining some of the things the Presbyterian Church in America, could, and I would say should, learn from Soma Communities, a group of churches in the Northwest. Part One – What the PCA Could from Soma about Discipleship Part Two: Do We Really Have Good Theology? I was expecting...
What the PCA Could Learn from Soma: Discipleship
As I begin this series, I realize that I might offend or irritate many Godly and respectable people. Please understand that I am not seeking purposely to offend, but rather I am unsettled by the questions I have about our denomination. My line of questioning comes from a week I spent living with Soma Communities,...
Why I’m Angry About This Meeting of Understanding
A week and a half ago, around 50 pastors and elders in the PCA met in Atlanta. Atlanta is our denominational headquarters, and Presbyterians love meetings. At first this doesn’t seem like it should be news worthy. Then byFaith put out a short article explaining what happened at the meeting: The meeting had two specific...
The Privilege of Reading in the 21st Century
Just imagine how different the world would be if you could never send a letter or write a note or email someone. Reading is a gift that most of us don’t appreciate. Most people aren’t even aware of how much they read on a daily basis. We read and write all the time, just think...
Finding God at the Farmers’ Market
Like many cities in Canada, our city has a thriving farmers’ market. In fact, we have more than one. For many years, I was a vendor at our Saturday morning market. I got up early and set up my booth. I enjoyed the early morning camaraderie that exists between vendors and customers. I greeted my...
Numbers and Faithfulness
Ansgar was a ninth century missionary to the Scandanavian area. We know about him from statues, a biography and other sources. He was the first to establish Christian churches in Denmark. Yet, after his death in 865, those churches disappeared. While Ansgar has his own Wikipedia article and is known in Church History, he probably...
Three Pastoral Mistakes I’ve Made and Seen
I’m not the oldest kid on the block but I’m sadly realizing I’m not the youngest either at age 48. My ministry experience to date has been somewhat varied. Prior to seminary I was a campus intern with RUF followed by eight years as a campus minister once my M.Div from RTS was in hand....
Bogeymen in the PCA!
bogeyman (ˈbəʊɡɪˌmæn) — n , pl -men (also spelled “boogeyman”) an imaginary evil character of supernatural powers, especially a mythical hobgoblin supposed to carry off naughty children. Of the talk of suspicion and eyebrow-raising between Christians, there will likely be no end… but here’s an attempt to advance the conversation. Anyone who knows me well...
Struggling With Faith and Being a Church Planter
Recently, I’ve been realizing that planting a church has been causing me to have some serious struggles with my faith in God. Planting a church pushes you into a situation of total dependence on God. For many pastors there is a struggle against always seeking to control and stabilize their churches. For me as a...
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...
Of TRs and Liberals
I’m not sure when the term “TR” was first coined (35 years ago? More?), but it seems I’ve been hearing it all my life. Sometimes it’s directed at me. Sometimes I must admit it’s used by me in reference to others. But what does it mean and to whom is it referring?The abbreviation “TR” means...
Anthony Bradley’s “Narcissism Epidemic”?
In doing some recent electrical work I was reminded that there is a big difference between knowing that you have a short in your lines, and figuring out what circuit is the issue. Until you find that damaged circuit the house is still in danger. I recently read Dr. Anthony Bradley’s article on what he...
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