Why I’m Thankful We’re Keeping Our Name from Denny Burk

If I’m being honest, I have to confess that my preference to keep our name is not altogether motivated by missional concerns. I grew up in Southern Baptist Churches my whole life. I cut my ecclesiastical teeth on Fall revivals, Royal Ambassadors, and one more stanza of “Just As I Am.” Southern Baptists taught me that the gospel was the best news in the world and that I should share that news with as many people as possible.

Teach Children the Bible is Not About Them from Sally Lloyd-Jones

When I go into churches and speak to children I ask them two questions:
First, How many people here sometimes think you have to be good for God to love you? They tentatively raise their hands. I raise my hand along with them.
And second, How many people here sometimes think that if you aren’t good, God will stop loving you? They look around and again raise their hands.

Hunting Bambi from Mark Coppenger

I once heard Frederica Mathewes-Green say that every child born after 1973 was a “survivor.” That was the year that Roe v. Wade declared “open season” on the contents of the womb. But it appears the license to hunt Bambi was not enough. Now the government is making sure you have a rifle.

Your Church’s Identity Isn’t Made in a Week from RookiePastor

Being concerned about perception is one thing. Thinking you can craft and present fully who you are as a community on a weekly basis is going to lead to an identity crisis for participants and first-timers alike.

Who is Authorized to Baptize? from Stephen M Young

A few weeks into my freshman year at ETBU (1994), a controversy broke out. Evidently, one student had led another to faith in Jesus and subsequently baptized her in the fountain at the quad. This ruffled feathers everywhere.
It was addressed in chapel.
It was addressed in the BCM.
It was addressed in the local churches.
We students talked it over during lunch and in our dorm rooms. The general thought among the freshmen was that it seemed pretty biblical, and pretty sincere, but you can’t buck authority.

Give Up the Gimmicks, Youth Pastors from Brian Cosby

f there’s anything a youth pastor knows—even after only a few months in ministry—it’s that fatigue and feelings of burnout come with the task. The constant pressure from parents, youth, church leadership, the senior pastor, and even his own family can wear a minister out very quickly.
Added to this stress is the continual expectations to meet certain numerical standards. The most frequent question that I get is, “How many?” It sometimes becomes a plague and burden—tempting you with pride (wow, I attracted a ton of youth tonight!) or despair (nobody came . . . and nobody will come next week either). It’s no wonder that the average youth minister stays in one location less than 18 months!

Always Mardi Gras and Never Easter from Russell Moore

Do many Catholics follow their appetites and “sin that grace may abound,” hoping that confession and the last rites will even it all out before God? Sure. And do many Evangelicals do the same, hoping that a repeated prayer or an altar-call response will deliver them in the Day of Judgment? Yes. Both paths lead to the same place: to hell.

Why I Hope Real Books Never Die (and They Won’t) from Kevin DeYoung

Perhaps I am a wishful thinking bibliophile, but I just don’t think the physical book is going the way of the dodo bird. No doubt, many scholars and students will house parts of their reference libraries on an electronic device. Some frequent flyers will stick books on their tablets instead of in their brief cases. And some techno-geeks will conclude that everything is better on an Apple product. I’m sure ereaders will make inroads. They serve a useful purpose. But only to a point.

The Bono Effect and Corporate Worship from Mike Cosper

Is There a War on Religion in America? from Dave Miller

Is there really a war on religion in America today?
In a word, yes. YES!
Yes, President Obama and his administration, other liberal politicians, the elite media, and the higher education system in America (which is predominantly atheistic) are working to prevent conservative, convictional Christians from having the freedom to practice their religious beliefs in the public square.

Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort from Phil Johnson

I am frankly amazed and appalled at how many pastors today deliberately shirk this duty. “It’s not for me to criticize what other people are teaching. I just want to be always positive, and we’ll let truth and error sort themselves out.” But if you try to do that, you are not fulfilling the responsibility Paul positively assigns to every faithful minister, both here, and in Titus 1:9, where he emphatically makes this same duty the responsibility of every elder in the church: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

Akin: Why I endorsed it & what I disagree with from Baptist Press

This is certainly not a perfect book and Grace and Mark say this at the very beginning (p. xi). There is only one perfect book and we all know which one that is! However, Charlotte and I think Real Marriage is a book that will help many in spite of certain flaws. I was asked the other day in light of all the controversy surrounding the book, would I endorse it again? The answer is, yes I would. I am already hearing from those who are being helped by the book as they pursue a God-glorifying marriage. For that we should all give thanks, whether we are a fan of the book or not.

Rick Warren Gives Advice for Seminary from Keith Collier

“I think seminary gives to you a depth that you don’t have anywhere else. The difference between a seminary-trained pastor and one who has not had theological education is really obvious, because there’s more roots, there’s more depth, you understand more of the long-term view of Christianity than the short-term view. If I just grab the Bible and start preaching, I don’t really have any depth of historical consequences.”

It’s a Happy Anniversary for my wife and I, but I still have some links for you.

Can We Neo-Anabaptists and Neo-Reformed Just Get Along! My Interview from David Fitch

Recently (in private e-mails) I have been getting some heat from some Neo-Reformed friends who feel I have either not been fair or too critical of Neo-Reformed theology on this blog. On other hand, some members of the committed Neo-Reformed have engaged me (again via private e-mail) letting me know they appreciate my insights and dialogue. They have been encouraging. All this to say, I think dialogue between Neo-Reformed folks and Neo-Anabaptist Evangelical Missional people like me would be a very good thing. And I have been convicted of not doing enough to move us in this direction.

The FAQs: The Contraceptive-Abortifacient Mandate from Joe Carter

As part of universal health insurance reform passed in 2010 (often referred to as “Obamacare”), all group health plans must now provide—at no cost to the recipient—certain “preventive services.” The list of services includes sterilization, contraceptives, and abortifacients drugs.

What to Say When Someone Says “The Bible Has Errors” from Jonathan Dodson

Instead of asking them to name one, I suggest you name one or two of the errors. Does your Bible contain errors? Yes. The Bible that most people possess is a translation of the Greek and Hebrew copies of copies of the original documents of Scripture. As you can imagine, errors have crept in over the centuries of copying. Scribes fall asleep, misspell, take their eyes off the manuscript, and so on. I recommend telling people what kind of errors have crept into the Bible.

To Mr. Obama, From a Conscientious Objector from Evan Lenow

Dear Mr. President:
In recent weeks, a decision by your Administration has stirred great controversy among people of faith regarding the requirement that insurance policies offer free access to all FDA-approved contraceptives and sterilization. On the basis of the freedom of religion guaranteed to me as a citizen of the United States of America in the First Amendment of the Constitution, I want to state my conscientious objection to this policy.

Rome, Obama, and Calm Assurance of Things to Come from Zach Nielsen

In my estimation, the current response [to the changes proposed by the Obama administration concerning contraception and religious institutions other than churches] from many thoughtful writers is warranted—indeed, necessary. But with any potential crisis that looms on the horizon due to the collision of Christianity and secular culture, we have centuries of church history to inform and perhaps, temper our response. Reflecting on church history does not censor our response but should define the tone.

The Danger of Not Letting the Text Speak from Mike Leake

If you want to be the pastor of balanced Christians then one way to bring that about is to be faithful in preaching the text as it is. Let the text speak for itself. Yes, that’s hard…but that is part of the reason that you are “set apart” for the teaching and preaching of the Word. You and I are given a charge by God to rightly divide the Word—let us do it, by His grace and for His glory.

LifeWay to continue selling NIV; trustees select new leadership from Marty King

Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources voted to continue selling the new NIV Bible in LifeWay stores, approved a new vice president for its largest division and elected new board officers.

Reading the Next Classic Together from Tim Challies
This past summer, I read J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism alongside other readers of Challies blog, and starting this March, they’ll read John Bunyan’s famous, The Pilgrim’s Progress. I’m in.

Maybe we hate Calvinism because we don’t understand it. from Dan Barnes

It seems to me, most people tend to despise what they hear and don’t really get. I don’t mean to sound condescending, but I think it’s becoming a prejudice, we all band together to despise something we don’t understand. It’s sort of human nature. I have come to the point that I have stopped describing myself as a Calvinist, because people automatically make assumptions about me.

Why I Quit Following (Most) Celebrity Pastors on Twitter and Maybe You Should, Too from Aaron Armstrong

I don’t know if you’ve had this problem, but lately I’ve found myself continually disheartened by much of what I’m reading from a few “celebrity” pastors on Twitter, Facebook and their blogs, to say nothing of the fuss that ensues. And frankly, it’s all a little bit tiring. So, I did the most helpful thing I could: I stopped following them. Here’s why I did, and why you might want to consider doing the same:

What are the top 10 biblical priorities for every pastor? from Brian Croft

I think it would be a good exercise for every pastor to evaluate what would be your “top 10″ priorities for your pastoral ministry. To start the discussion, I will give my first 2, and you try to fill in the rest in the comment section.

2012 Band of Bloggers at Together for the Gospel from Justin Taylor
I’m seriously bummed that I can’t find out a way to get to T4G. I would have loved participating in Band of Bloggers again this year.

Valentine’s Day from Mark Driscoll

Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day, it has evolved into an enormous holiday. The question remains, however: who is Valentine and how did he come to be associated with everything from the color red to some secret known only by a woman named Victoria?

Force the Issue from Jared Wilson

If you are a pastor committed to gospel-centrality, it can be frustrating and distressing to re-learn every day how difficult it is for people to “get it.” Every day in gospel-centered ministry is a new lesson in “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive” (Isaiah 6:9).

Car Accident On A Youth Trip from RookiePastor

Headed to a winter retreat with high school students when on the way we got caught in a snow storm. Things were going great until they weren’t.
My truck hit a car that had lost control and stopped in the middle of the road. I wasn’t driving but the one who was slowed down and nearly missed it. Everyone was fine and the damage was minimal.

Book Review Family Shepherds from Dave Jenkins

The old saying, “As the family goes, so goes the nation” is true now more than ever. While this phrase is important, Dr. Voddie Bauchman argues that “as the father goes, so goes the family.” Pastor Bauchman wrote this book to help teach men how to faithfully shepherd their families, and to call men to accountability for their God-given responsibilities in their home.

The Faithfulness Fallacy from Julian Freeman

While we must honour those who have laboured before us and for us, the simple truth is that we do not biblically honour them if we do not weigh the wisdom of their words and actions against God’s word. No matter how faithful a man has been in the past, he is still a man, and still in need of ongoing correcting and perfecting this side of eternity. We must show them love, respect, and the benefit of the doubt, but we must never turn a blind eye to present unfaithfulness simply because we’ve witnessed past faithfulness.

Why Do So Many Great Talents Die Young? from Trevin Wax

Yes, the early death of so many talented individuals does expose the emptiness of riches and success. But there is another lesson to be learned here, and it has to do with common grace. You see, the Evil One is not content with keeping people from hearing of God’s saving grace; he also wants to steal from the world those unusual gifts of common grace.

On Judson’s 200th: Please Go and Dig from Jason Duesing

During the summer of 2010, after teaching seminary students in a neighboring country, I set out to see if the prison or location of the memorial stone could still be found. To my surprise however, it was not the ultimate discovery of a hidden prison, but what I heard there, that made all the difference.

Let’s Have More Worship Wars from Russell Moore

Most of our varying critiques of musical forms are often just narcissism disguised as concern about theological and liturgical downgrade.

‘Encroachment of Calvinism’ concerns editor from Baptist Press

In a column titled “The Calvinists are here,” Harris, editor of The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention, set forth statements about Calvinism and quoted Southern Baptists on both sides of the issue.

The Baptist Bogeyman from Ed Stetzer

The Southern Baptist Convention can and must include Purpose Driven pastors, pastors who used to call themselves emerging, and Calvinist pastors, when they choose to affirm our BFM confession and engage in mission cooperation. But the drums of war are sounding again, and Calvinists are the newest bogeymen.

Guest Post: Ligon Duncan on Lloyd-Jones from Kevin DeYoung

It was given as a series of lectures, and it bears those marks. But it also bears the marks of a man who spent a lifetime preaching and thinking about preaching. Truly, Lloyd-Jones was one of the great preachers of his age. Even in these talks, the fire breaks through. Over and over again. The lecturer on preaching often becomes the preacher.

Are You Ready to Conduct your First Funeral? from Brian Croft

Are you ready to conduct your first funeral? If not, you need to be. Having 2 days to figure it out is not ideal. Prepare now before a funeral comes. Trust me, you will be glad you planned ahead on this one.

I Quit Being A Victoria’s Secret Model To Become A Proverbs 31 Wife from Kylie Bisutti

I felt like I was born to walk the runway and at the age of 19 I achieved that goal. I walked in my first Victoria’s Secret runway show, beating out 10,000 other girls to win the prize of their newest runway angel. From there I started doing shoots for their catalogue and was on the cover of multiple magazines, including men’s magazines. I hosted parties, dazzled red carpets, and got more attention than a girl could ever imagine. (and I loved every minute of it) I selfishly desired the attention that I was getting and I gave in to worldly ways… UNTIL I had a very gracious and convicting AWAKENING!

Asking Better Questions from Tim Challies

Today I’d like to make a two-part proposal: Let’s stop asking, “How many people go to your church?” And when someone asks us that question, let’s stop providing a direct answer.

Virginia Beach preacher dies after giving sermon from CNN

A 62-year-old preacher from Virginia died immediately after giving his final sermon on Sunday morning.

Our Church, The SBC, and the Cooperative Program from J.D. Greear

I pray God raises up leaders who act courageously. We need there to be a future for the SBC. We need our seminaries to continue to provide excellent and affordable theological education. Otherwise, how will we stem the rising tide of secularism? We need educated, biblically-grounded and philosophically-aware pulpits. We need organization and support for church planting, both domestic and international. We need organizations to help us serve the poor and the orphan around the world.

ObamaCare and the First Amendment from Even Lenow

This is more than just a contraception issue—it is a religious liberty issue. Schools and charities have been granted an extra year to reach compliance (conveniently after the presidential election). This federal regulation needs to be changed. Broader exemptions must be granted. No constitutional scholar could, in good faith, support this regulation. In fact, most high school students in an American Government class should be able to see through the veil of these federal guideline. This administration needs to go back and read the Bill of Rights “in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers.”

Chuck Colson Calls Christians to Civil Disobedience against U. S. Government from Denny Burk

Chuck Colson rightly calls on Evangelicals to stand with Roman Catholics in civil disobedience to this law for as long as it stands. That’s right. He’s calling on Christians to risk fines, prison, or other penalties in faithfulness to our convictions about protecting the unborn.