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...
Don’t Call it a Come Back, Please
I have recently heard a small rumbling in certain corners of the PCA which seem to be suggesting that the environment in the PCA today is very similar to the environment in the PCUS which made a split necessary, but is that really a fair comparison? To get our bearings let’s consider a few questions...
The PCA Isn’t Using What God Has Given Her
In Matthew 25 Christ tells the story of how a master gave his servants resources. Some used them well, while other were fearful and did nothing. His warning was that in the end the one who sits on his hands will be in trouble. I love being part of the PCA, but when it comes...
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...
Why Another Blog?
If Solomon were alive today he might edit Ecclesiastes 12:12 to read, “my son, beware of anything beyond these. Of the making of many blogs there is no end.” A few years ago the question was, “Why should I blog?” The question now is, “Why shouldn’t I blog?” That subtle shift has taught the blogging community...
