SandBFlag - The Beached Yeti

Trust Women

2012-01-27T17:28:00.000-05:00

This truly is a disingenuous slogan used by the pro abort camp.. Isn't it funny how Mike Farriss was crucified in the press and by unethical politician Don Beyer when pointed out the research linking abortion to breast cancer? Also, is it possible to be pro choice (sic) and feel good about wearing the pink ribbon? Abortion kills babies and any woman that advises another woman to have one be she a mother or BFF is not a friend of women but an enemy of society.

Click the title of this post to read a blog by Gerard Nadal, Ph.D on LifeNews.com.

Good Advice for the Pastor Search Committee

2012-01-26T13:25:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Todd Rhoades for posting this. There have been many times that the mistake of pastor serch committees have led to an ill advised move for a pastor. I sat though one meeting with a committee several years ago in which the only question I was asked by a member of the committee was what version of the Bible I used. We met for the better part of two hours.

Click the title of this post to read Todd's Blog at http://toddrhoades.com

The Duggars - Compassion or Criticism

2011-12-15T09:32:00.001-05:00

Here is a blog post on The R House blog by Lindsey Redfern. I think this speaks volumes to our culture, even our Christian culture. Aren't we quick to tell others what is best for them without first "giving our cloak also" or "walking an extra mile" with them. It is simply outrageous to be outraged at someone who loses a baby. Click on this blogpost title to read the R House post.
Thanks to Lynn Rogers who posted this on FB this morning.
*Note - Lindsey Redfern is a Mormon

Principles or Promises

2011-12-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

I think that we sometimes grab certain verses and promises that might not necessarily be in accordance with the NT understanding of the promises of God or the salvation history (Heilsgeschichte) provided in the Bible. But, they make us feel good. Click the title of this blog to read a post by Justin Taylor in his "Between Two Worlds" blog.

Charismatics and the Sovereignty of Satan

2011-11-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

This is an issue not only in charismatic churches but it is rampant in evangelical Christianity. These views were very common in the area where I became follower of Christ. Jimmy Swaggart and other TV charismatics probably had a lot to do with the propagation of this false doctrine.

Steve Brown of Key Life made the most profound yet simple statement that still impacts my life, "Either God is in control of everything or He is in control of nothing."

This is an article and the reprint of a letter from Pastor John MacArthur. Click the title of this post to MacArthur's article.

Should Churches Give Altar Calls?

2011-11-17T11:12:00.000-05:00

I have weighed this question for a long time. I agree with the sentiment of the post that in the long run, altar calls have much more to harm churches than to help them. Click the title of this post to read the blog by Jonathan Leeman from The Gospel Coalition.

Handling Issue Christians - When Visitors are not on the same page as your church

2011-10-24T11:36:00.000-04:00

This is actually liberating. It is amazing how visitors will collect you at the end of their first or second service to tell what is wrong with your church. Click the title of the blog to read Ed Stetzer's post on the His Lifeway blog

Black Reformed Christians Speak Out

2011-10-06T11:20:00.000-04:00

Lecrae, Trip Lee and Eric Mason discuss their relationship in the black community as it relates to their reformed theology. Understanding the point that you can be reformed and believe in evangelism, not be fatalistic, be a Baptist, or believe John 3:16, I resonate strongly with these brothers. Click the title of the blog to read the post by Eryn Sun on Christian Post.

We'll Pay Your Pastor Serarch Committee

2011-10-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

Add a woman to the mix and get the travel expenses paid. Maybe we can get CBF to hold a diversity bake sale.

Hey Founders, maybe this is a way to get more reformed pastors to be considered. Click the title of the blog to read the article on the Big Daddy Weave blog about Missouri CBF paying churches to consider calling women pastors.

Multi-Site Churches are of the Devil

2011-09-28T21:41:00.000-04:00

This is a very provocative look at multi-site congregations and the propensity they have to become the modern day "icon" driven churches.

Click the title of the blog to read the post by Thabiti Anyabwile on his "Pure Church" blog.

The Slippery Slope of Murder - How Abortion has Decriminalized Murder

2011-09-13T15:38:00.000-04:00

This post is about a young mother who murdered her baby and had her conviction overturned because of the precedent set by Canada's abortion laws. The logic is sound that if it okay to abort preborns, it must be okay to kill newborns or "justborns" as the Canadian Courts call them. The problem is with the morality. The prohibition to murder should protect the preborn instead of the license to kill in the womb extending to the newly birthed.

Click the title of this post to read the Stand To Reason Blog.

Churches Choosing a Smaller Impact (or no impact at all)

2011-09-09T09:23:00.000-04:00

Here is a bullet point list of ideas by Tony Morgan that will help us to identify why churches fail to move into a future and actually have a "Life Cycle." I would love to see these bullet points expanded into blogs of their own. Click on the title of this blog to read Morgan's post.

A Must Read - The prayer of a traveller

2011-09-02T18:48:00.000-04:00

This is a blog post from Greg Surratt - The Lead Pastor of Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant. This is a preview chapter from his new book Ir-rev-end.
It really is one of the best blogs that I have ever read. Click on the title on this blog to read Surratt's post.

A Testimony to Answered Prayer

2011-08-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

This is an awesome post by Larry Doyle. The Director of the Piedmont Baptist Association in Greensboro/High Point. Click the title of this blog to read Larry's post. I think you will really enjoy it.

Practical Tips for Disciple Making

2011-08-20T08:36:00.001-04:00

Do you want an opportunity to make disciples One on One? These practical tips from IX Marks helps to consider the possibilities.

Click the title of the blog to read the post from IX Marks.

The Law and Church Counseling: Part Five—Building Safeguards Into Your Ministry

2011-08-19T10:33:00.000-04:00

Here is part 5 in Kellemen's series on church counseling. Click the title of the blog to read Kellemen's post.

See my previous blog posts to see the first 4 parts or go to Kellemen's RPM Ministries blog home page.

The Law and Church Counseling: Part Four—Quality of Care

2011-08-19T10:14:00.000-04:00

Here is part 4 in Kellemen's series on church counseling. Click the title of the blog to read Kellemen's post.

See my previous blog posts to see the first 3 parts or go to Kellemen's RPM Ministries blog home page.

The Law and Church Counseling: Part Three—Scope of Care

2011-08-17T10:46:00.000-04:00

Part 3. Click the title of this blog to read Bob Kellemen's third part of this series on church counseling.

The Law and Church Counseling: Part Two—The Legal History and Climate

2011-08-16T10:38:00.000-04:00

Here is part 2 of Kellemen's blog that I linked to yesterday. Click the title of this post to read the post by Bob Kellemen of RPM Ministries.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Church Counseling: Part One—Caring Carefully

2011-08-15T14:09:00.002-04:00

Do you want to counsel or is your church already involved in a counseling ministry. This blog series from Bob Kellemen of RPM ministries is well worth the read. Click on the title of the post to read Kellemen's blog.

The Angry Preacher - Defining Yourself by What You Are Against

2011-08-10T11:56:00.000-04:00

Byron Yawn hit the nail on the head. I have seen the church up close and personal who had the angry pastor for 30 years and what he left was not pretty. 3 of the 5 pastors who followed him were fired and the other two left after serving fewer than 5 years. Had he spent his ministry teaching them to love people and to embrace the gospel instead of railing against social issues, they could have made a huge impact in their community.

Click the title of the blog to read Byron Yawn's post on his Cripplegate blog.

Where Are Your Kids Learning About the Birds and the Bees.

2011-08-08T21:54:00.000-04:00

It's not the internet for the most part that we have to worry about. What they watch and hear in the media is a different story. Click the title of this blog to read the story in the Christian Examiner.

CS Lewis - Not Who You Thought He Was

2011-07-28T09:26:00.000-04:00

I am a fan of Narnia and like many others, really blindly so, admired CS Lewis as an evangelical. I really want to thank Mike Beasley and The Armoury Ministries for publishing this blog. As I have a number of books by Lewis on my bookshelves, I will begin to reread them with a different bent. Click on the title of this blog to read Beasley's post on Lewis' use of the Tao in the formation of his personal philosophy.

Suffering is a Privilege

2011-07-20T10:10:00.000-04:00

All I can say is Wow. Click the title of the blog to read the post by Andree Seu.

The Danger of Elevating Practices To the Level of the Bible

2011-07-16T14:24:00.000-04:00

Here is an excellent look at some of Josh Harris' thoughts on how me might take certain practices based onBiblical truth and actually elevate them to the level of truth themselves. Click the title of the blog to read e post.

Culture change: Feeding peas to 1st graders

2011-07-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

Here is a good post by Geoff Surratt, the pastor of church planting at Saddleback. Click the title of this blog to read Geoff's post

Think about it

2011-07-11T10:34:00.002-04:00

Why Pastors Should Preach Expositionally

2011-06-29T07:37:00.000-04:00

Here is an article on the IX Marks website that shows the excellence and beauty of expository preaching. It is the most effective way to communicate the word from the pulpit.

Click the title of the blog to read the Nine Marks article.

Small - The Kingdom's Foot but not Its Footprint

2011-06-28T12:40:00.000-04:00

This is Ed Stetzer's latest article in Outreach Magazine. Click the title to read this column by Stetzer.

The Conversion of Adoniram Judson

2011-06-24T13:04:00.000-04:00

Check out this bulletin insert from Jim Elliff and BulletinInserts.org. It is a great account of how this influential thinker came to Christ.

Click the title of the blog to read the bulletininserts.org account.

Contact Evangelism

2011-06-21T23:09:00.001-04:00

This is an excellent article from Nine Marks on evangelism. It is indeed food for thought in this relational world in which we find ourselves living.

Click the blog title to read the full post from the IX Marks website.

The Value of Criticism

2011-06-20T09:40:00.001-04:00

Much of the criticism I received at my last place of service was mean spirited or arose out of gossip. I did learn how to take it and how to grow from it.

The title of this blog is linked to a post by Thom Rainer of Lifeway. Click it to read Rainer's post

The Leadership Factory

2011-06-18T22:36:00.001-04:00

Thanks J. D. Greear for this great thought on church leadership. Time for some of us to start hacking our egos down to build leaders that will lead the church to lift Jesus up.

Click the title of the blog to read the post by j. D. Greear.

How does inattention to sound doctrine kill churches?

2011-06-10T22:06:00.000-04:00

This is a good Q&A from Nine Marks. after you read it, check out the links in the right sidebar. Click the title of the blog to read the Q&A from the IX Marks site.

Why do pastors leave the ministry?

2011-06-09T10:54:00.002-04:00

Can you say ouch? Clayton King hits the nail on the head with this post. If you are a pastor and have considers leaving, it is certainly understandable. Click the title of this post to read the blog by Clayton King.

A great idea for an incoming pastor

2011-06-08T22:13:00.000-04:00

This is a great post from the DOM in Nawlins.

The Nuttiest Doomsday Prophecies - Surprise Surprise

2011-05-24T09:47:00.000-04:00

I am grateful to my bud AC Smith for referring me to this Dennis Prager Column. Click the title of the blog to read about some of the nuttiest doomsday predictions. This past Saturday is but a blip on the screen compared to these whoppers.

You Are My Pastor

2011-05-19T06:55:00.000-04:00

Wow, Somebody gets it!!!

Click the blog title to read the post by Thom Rainer, President of Lifeway resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Friendship Evangelism

2011-05-16T08:31:00.000-04:00

Here is a neat devotional by John MacArthur on Philip. Click the title of the blog to read MacArthur's thoughts.

Where Have All the Churches Gone

2011-05-10T07:19:00.000-04:00

I expected more here than just a tune in tomorrow . . .

I would like to read your perspective. Please click the title of the blog to read a post by Thom Rainer and then return here to comment.

Thanks
Charlie

It's Not Harassment When You Attack a Christian

2011-04-15T21:43:00.000-04:00

Read how mature and open minded atheists can be by clicking the title of this blog.

How to Attract More Professionals to Your Church

2011-04-13T09:14:00.001-04:00

There is simple truth here that cannot be ignored. Turn up the light should become the heart cry of the churches of America, especially the declining older churches that have peaked and are slowly dying in their traditions instead of living in light. I am not saying that the pastors of these churches do not preach Jesus or His word, but the church itself does not shine. I don't want to come to church because I am going to hear some song that I heard on K-Love as a part of the worship. I don't want to come to church because they have been stalwart in resisting the "world" by keeping the projector out and the hymnal in. I want to go to church because the light of Jesus is going to shine. The platform will be illumined by it as well as the people. The light of Christ will be more than a popping service with all the techno wonder of the age and it will be more than a service stalwart with what worked 20 years ago. True worship as Jesus defined it is Spirit and truth. We connect to God through Spirit and truth. We connect to each other through Spirit and truth. John 1 tells us that Jesus is life and that his life is the light of men. Then it says that we beheld his glory full of grace and truth.. The Light of Christ cannot be separated from His truth in life or in worship. His truth reveals his grace by the moving of the Spirit casting a light on our lives that must either be snuffed or followed.

It is time for the church to turn on the light. It is time to genuinely start reaching people through the teaching and preaching and LIVING of the truth. It is in this that we will see projectors, power points, hymnals, pews, and rhetoric (contemporary or traditional) doesn't really matter.

Click the title of this blog to read a blog by Maurilio Amorim on attracting professionals to church. Yes, I grabbed the phrases "Turn up the light" and ranted. But, the effectiveness of the church will always come back to her ability to shine the light of Christ in the lives of her people.

No Friends for the Pastor

2011-04-04T09:40:00.000-04:00

I was amazed when I read this blog. I thought I was the only one like this. I just spent 6 years at a church and made ZERO close friends. I am thankful for several friends that I have from a former church though.

Too many laymen feel like the pastor is not a part of their church because as it has been said, "Preacher, we'll be here long after you're gone." But maybe the preachers leave because the people never invest in their lives. I know that at my last church no one took the time to invest in mine.

Click the title of the blog to read the post by Michael Hyatt, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Do You Expect Me to Forgive You?

2011-03-29T18:03:00.000-04:00

The question "Do I have to forgive someone who hasn't asked me?" is answered well here by Alan Melton in his blog, "Disciple Like Jesus." Click the title of this post to read the blog by Alan Melton.

Divorce and Facebook

2011-03-28T10:11:00.000-04:00

This is an interesting look at the face of Social Networking and the divorce rate. Of course, we should all be wary of who we friend and where it might lead.. Click the title of the blog to read the Baptist Press article by Michael Foust

5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church

2011-03-26T14:04:00.000-04:00

This is an informative blog from the Resurgence. Funny how common sense from a spiritual point of view is so uncommon in the rest of the world.

Click the title of this blog to read the post by Thomas Weaver

Change or Die

2011-03-23T09:22:00.000-04:00

I think Dr. Rainer is right on target here. I really miss the collaboration part of things at the moment but I am certain to see it come back. I am teaching a Life and Letters of Paul class to homeschool students now and I marvel at just how flexible Paul was. He had a basic strategy to preach at the synagogue first but when that option was not there, he was able to quickly adapt. In Philippi, he looked for a prayer gathering by the river and in Athens, he just preached in the Aeropagus on Mars Hill.

I once heard someone ask, "If our kids are using PowerPoint and You Tube to learn in school, how can we expect to teach them eternal truth using felt boards?"

Click the blog title to read the article by Dr. Thom Rainer, President of Lifeway Resources

Katy Perry and Youth Worship

2011-03-12T12:42:00.000-05:00

If excellence is not one of our core values in every area of church work, we will be sub par in the areas where it matters. This is a blog by Alvin Reid, evangelism professor at Southeaster Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Click the title of this blog to read Dr. Reid's post.

The Big Divorce - The Obama Administration Divorces itself from Marriage and the Family

2011-02-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday will go down in history as one of the most tragic days in the history of the United States. The Obama administration announced that it will no longer support the law of the land as it relates to traditional marriage. Click the title of the blog to read a commentary by Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Seminary

Cool but Irrelevant? ------------- Naaaaaaaaaah

2011-02-22T19:06:00.000-05:00

This is a good article from Leadership Journal on what people really need in a church and what really satisfies those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Intellectually stimulating sound nice. Click the title of the blog to read the article by Brandon O'Brien.

So you want to criticize your pastor

2011-02-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

Here is an excellent blog by Thom Rainer, the president of Lifeway. It is a shame that the great distraction of ministry most often comes from the people of God. Click the blog title to read Rainers post.

Ecclesiology - Some Thoughts

2011-02-12T22:02:00.000-05:00

I picked this up off the Alpha Omega Ministries blog. Some good reading. Click the blog title to read teh post by Jamin Hubner.

NAMB Trustees Approve Sweeping Changes

2011-02-11T14:02:00.000-05:00

Time will answer the question as to whether this is a genuine response to North America's need for the gospel or if it simply a renaming of an old bureaucracy. Click the title of the blog to read teh full Baptist Press release.

Churches fans of Facebook, social media

2011-02-07T09:52:00.001-05:00

This is a good article on how churches are using social media. I have even included a section on my resume called "social networking." Social media is not a fad or a trend, it is a step in the progression of our communication. Click the title of the blog to read the article by David Roach in the Baptist Courier.

The Current Crisis in Egypt

2011-02-02T09:01:00.000-05:00

This WSJ article by Gerald Seib gives a good analysis of the current situation in Egypt and provides very necessary historical perspective. Click the title of the blog to read the Wall Street Journal article.

Just Something Cool - Are You Tasting It Mr. Krabs?

2011-01-29T15:27:00.000-05:00

What your high school biology book did not tell you about taste. It's not a theological blog or church growth fact but I thought it was cool.

Click the title of the blog to read the OMGFacts article on taste buds.

Treating Muslims like Christians

2011-01-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. The thought is compelling. What if Muslims in America were treated like Christians in Muslim countries? Actually, there would be deserved outrage. People are called hateful and bigoted just for opposing a mosque at ground zero in NYC. Click the blog title to read the most important story not being told. Perhaps the NYT or the Washington Post could do a feature on Christian persecution. Don't hold your breath

Tilling the Good Soil - A Better Perspective

2011-01-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

This is a great blog from Neil Cole of CMA Resources, church planter, and a leader in the organic church movement. Jesus cursed the fig tree that didn't bear fruit but all too often, ministry is about spending time trying to cultivate soil that is not going to bear any fruit. Click the blog title to read Cole's post on the Church Multiplication Associates weebsite.

The Pastor as Theologian

2011-01-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

Are pastors making relevant theological connects or are they even educating the church in sound theology? Gerald Hiestand in this blogpost doesn't think so. I basically agree. We have relied far too long on the institutional theologian, i. e. the seminary professor to be the theologian of the modern church. Perhaps this why our pulpits lack conviction and our people lack knowledge of what the Bible says and means. There is no longer a connection between the life of the congregant and the richness of God's teaching that makes the very substance of doctrinerelevant - even for the professed follower of Christ

Click on the blog title to read the post by Gerald Hiestand on First Things.

Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism

2011-01-14T08:06:00.000-05:00

As soon as I am employed again and have a bit of pocket change, this is probably my next book purchases. Here are just a few titles that you might want to take a look at if you are exploring the topic of Calvinism. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer, Chosen by God by R. C. Sproul, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner, New Testament Theology by Leon Morris, and Free Will: A Slave by Charles Spurgeon. If you want to see how Calvinism shaped baptist thought, check out By His Grace and For His Glory by Tom Nettles. I don't know how many of these reaources are available in digital format but print copies are around.

Click on the Title of the Blog to see info on the Book mentioned there by Joel Beeke and published by Ligonier.

Abortion in New York City

2011-01-13T18:51:00.001-05:00

Here is an article by R. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. It comments on the travesty that is abortion. It is amazing to me that we justify this heinous and barbaric practice in the name of choice and for the purpose of birth control. What is particularly sad is the number of abortions that are performed in the African American community. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, had hoped that her organization would help to eradicate the black race. I sincerely hope that our first black president will see that in NYC, the majority of babies conceived of his race will never draw their first breath.

Click the title of this blog post to read the article by Mohler.

Congrats on 20 Rick Lawrenson!!!

2011-01-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

My buddy Rick Lawrenson is about to celebrate 20 years at Nags Head Church. Here is his blogpost describing how he feels about this monumental task. There is no doubt that the ministry can be frustrating. Thanks Rick for showing us all how to handle it and how to persevere.

Click the title of the blog to read Rick Lawrenson's post.

The New Pastor

2011-01-12T15:50:00.000-05:00

For those considering a career in ministry (heaven forbid) or those moving to a new place of service, this commentary on how to be a new pastor by Walter Price from IX Marks is a pretty good read. Click the title of the blog to read the article by Price.

The Virtual Church - NOT

2011-01-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

I picked this up from Jim Eliff's Twitter page. It is an excellent blogpost by Doug Richey. I hate to say that his reasons for the virtual church not being the church describe a ton of local churches. Click the title of the blog to read Richey's post

The Glorious Exchange

2011-01-10T13:05:00.000-05:00

This is a great Blogpost by Tullian Tchividjian, It brought to mind the song by Luke Garrett, "A Wondrous Exchange." Click on the blog title to read this wonderful and inspiring post.

Read the Bible Through in 2011

2010-12-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

Here is a pretty neat chronological reading guide. Click the title of the blog to check out the plan. There is a PDF D/L available from the site.

I am going to try it. Let me know if you want to also so we can be accountability partners. Also, I need some encouragement to keep this blog up to date. Since LABC turned my family out on the street, I have not been as faithful in my 'pastoral' reading. Imagine that.

God saves sinners

2010-12-15T09:07:00.000-05:00

Here is a great article by Steve Camp. Sorry I have not been publishing for a while. I guess when the self appointed "save money by firing the pastor" committee of the church and not the church, let me go. I lost the idea that it was still necessary to read and to communicate what I am reading. STAY FRESH AND STAY EXCITED CHARLIE!!!

Click the blog title to read Camp's article from the Cross Church website.

People really do Matter

2010-11-23T08:07:00.002-05:00

This is a good blog and a necessary perspective from Alvin Reid, a professor at SEBTS. Click the title of the blog to read Reid's perspective.

How to avoid Christless Christianity

2010-11-07T00:23:00.001-04:00

This is just plain good stuff. It is a blog by Tullian Tchividjian. Click the title of the blog to read this post regarding David Horton and the White Horse Inn.

The Persecution of Christians

2010-11-03T12:07:00.001-04:00

This is so tragic but Jesus said that in the world we would have tribulation. My heart is broken for the families of these Iraqi believers.

Spoiled By the Grace of God

2010-10-21T09:59:00.002-04:00

Here is a pretty cool perspective from the Desiring God blog written by Tyler Kenney. Click the blog Title to read teh post from DG.

How Should a Christian Treat Halloween?

2010-10-21T09:16:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Bruce Frank for posting this on his blog. It is a balanced perspective and worth the read. Click the title of the blog to read the post by Frank.

Calling for Contextualization

2010-10-19T10:56:00.003-04:00

So the Lord has been beating me up about the Gospel being about more than behavior modification. This is another blow landed. Thanks Ed Stetzer for posting this to your blog. Click the title of this blog to read Stetzer's full post. Ed Stetzer is the President for Research at Lifeway.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

2010-10-19T08:41:00.001-04:00

Here is a great blog by CJ Mahaney. It speaks of Grace, the Trinity and the proper understanding of the gospel. This is a good blog is a series of good blogs that I recommend. Click the title of this post to read Mahaney's blog from his Sovereign Grace website.

A Resource for Parenting

2010-10-16T00:35:00.000-04:00

It is good to be blogging again. I have started a second blog that I will release when I get it ready. Here is a resource from Desiring God on Gospel Powered Parenting. Check it out by clicking the title of the blog

The Black Church and the Prosperity Gospel

2010-10-01T11:40:00.000-04:00

The gospel of prosperity is indeed a false gospel that makes a few wealthy at the expense of their flock. Thanks to Dr.Alber Mohler for posting this important look at this malignant heresy. Click the titleof the blog to read Dr. Mohler's post.

Seven Signs in John

2010-09-21T11:44:00.002-04:00

This is a decent post on the Seven Signs in John. Click the title of the blog to read the post.

Southern Baptist Disiaster Relief

2010-09-09T11:29:00.000-04:00

No Jail Time for Steve Brown

2010-09-08T14:47:00.002-04:00

This is a good lesson and illustration. Click the title of the blog to read the blogpost by Steve Brown of Key Life Ministries.

Edwards on Bodily Worship

2010-09-06T11:26:00.001-04:00

Who wouldhave thought that Jonathan Edwards would feel this way considering the problem that many have with simply raising hands in church.

Click the title of the blog to read the post from Desiring God. follow the link from that post to read more from Edwards on the Yale University website.

The Work of Charles Spurgeon

2010-08-30T22:42:00.000-04:00

Here is an article by Jim Elliff on bulletininserts.org. I am wanting to be this kind of worker with the diligence of Spurgeon. For inspiration take a look at this article. Cick the title of this blogpost.

Sin and the Eternal Decrees of God

2010-08-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

This is a short but informative look at a Jonathan Edwards quote from John Piper's blog which was written by Tyler Kenney. Click the blog title to read the post.

Giving Young Adults a Rich Meal of BEEF

2010-08-27T08:08:00.001-04:00

Here is a great blogpost by Alvin Reid of SEBTS. I have found this to be true in my dealings with student ministries as well. I teach Bible to Homeschoolers and they are hungry for the truth. I will begin leading a small group youth Bible Study this week and really look forward to it.

Preaching for Transformation

2010-08-18T10:12:00.001-04:00

Take a look at these tools that Ed Stetzer has posted to his blog. These things can be transformational. Stetzer is the President of Research for Lifeway. Click the title of the blog to read the post.

New England - A Mission Field

2010-08-12T12:33:00.001-04:00

I have been feeling a missional tug on my heart for about a year now. Could this be what the Lord wants in my life. It would make me ask so many questions that are not in my comfort zone. Alyson is in community college here. Kirstyn is an up and coming swimmer with real friends here. My wife's parents, one of whom has survived pancreatic cancer for 9 years, are only 2 hours from here. I really don't want to struggle with the whole 'sense of calling' thing right now especially with things like they are. It's just way too hard to think about.

Oh well, click the blog title to read the blog post from The Resurgence by Jared Wilson. BTW the only issue I have with the whole blog is that Charles Finney, the father of easy believism and decisional evangelism, is on the list of great preachers.

The Problem of Pornography

2010-08-11T10:19:00.001-04:00

This is a problem that the church needs to tackle. I guess the big question is how? Neil Cole's idea a bout life transformation groups to hold men accountable would be a good place to start. Click the title of the blog to read the article by John H. Armstrong on Steve Brown's blog site and remember, the subject matter is pornography.

The Christian Gene

2010-08-05T09:45:00.001-04:00

Once you read this article by Mike Adams on Townhall you will understand this tongue in cheek title. I am certain that there would be no problems from the state of Georgia if the young lady was a Muslim. Society is continuing to say that every expression faith or sexuality is valid except orthodox Christianity. Intolerance is evil until it is directed at the follower of Jesus Christ and then it is not only accepted, it is expected. Click the title of the blog to read Mike Adams' article.

Movements by Tim Keller

2010-08-04T10:27:00.001-04:00

This is a great definition of a movement by Tim Keller.

A movement is marked by an attractive, clear, unifying vision for the future together with a strong set of values or beliefs. The content of the vision must be compelling and clear so that others can grasp it readily. It must not be so esoteric or difficult that only a handful of people can articulate it. Instead, it must be something that all members of the movement can understand and pass along to others. By contrast, "institutionalized" organizations are held together by rules, regulations, and procedures, not by a shared vision.

To read his whole post, click the title of the blog

Review: The Hole in our Gospel

2010-07-29T11:02:00.001-04:00

Larry Doyle has written a good review of Richard Stearns' The Hole in Our Gospel. Is the church in America powerless because we have failed to be the radical voice that Jesus called us to be? Click the title of the blog to read Larry Doyle's review. Larry is the Director of Missions for the Piedmont Baptist Association in Greensboro/ High Point, NC.

Times are a Changin' - The Digital Age Grows Up

2010-07-28T16:15:00.002-04:00

These numbers will make you say Hmmm and then OH ME.

In just 10 years, the world has changed significantly and the digital age has come into full swing. I believe these numbers are the tip of the iceberg. The big question to ask is "What has the church done to keep up?" Is it even necessary for the church to keep up? Click the blog title to look at the chart in Newsweek that shows us the advancement of the digital society over the last ten years.

What Causes Pastors to Burn Out?

2010-07-28T11:04:00.002-04:00

Carol Howard Merritt has posted a note by this title on Facebook. It is excellent not only because it points to a number of reasons that pastors leave the ministry but it also shows the very real frustrations that pastors feel. I am posting the note here in its entirety and including a link at the end of the post if you want to read the post on FB.

Pastors have a fifty percent burnout rate. In the first couple of years of ministry, half of them will drop out. I expect this from nursing and teaching, but I didn’t know that the rate would be quite so high for the pastorate. Do our churches realize what we’re doing to our professionals? What about our denominations? When we put so much time and energy into preparing pastors for the ministry, isn’t it disconcerting to watch half of them leave within a couple of years? I have often seen people shrug off the burnout. They figure that the ones who were not tough enough left. We question their call into ministry, or find another way to blame the pastors for the failure.
But what if our assumptions are not true? What if blaming the pastor is not the solution to our problem, but compounds the problem? What if we’re losing our most gifted and talented professionals? What if it’s the healthy ones who are leaving? What if we ought to be looking at the employment situations instead of assuming it’s the minister’s fault? I wondered about this, so I asked my twitter community of pastors (I’m @CarolHoward) about why we fizzle out so quickly. This is the feedback that I heard.

The Financial Realities—No one entered the ministry to make a lot of money. We don’t expect to. But the problem occurs when it takes an awful lot of money to go to college and seminary. After seven years of no income and high tuition, most of us have tremendous debt, and when we take that first call in a small church or as an associate pastor, we simply cannot make the numbers add up. Too often, pastor salaries are decided by people who have never had to live with the reality of school loans, and the fact that their new pastor might be 40k in the hole never occurs to them. But the financial burden becomes too difficult for the pastor, and she has to walk away.

The Professional Loneliness—Clearly, after you become a pastor, going to a party will never be quite the same experience again. There are people who will tell you every problem they have had with religion, or every problem that they have in general. They will apologize for cursing or for drinking. Or they are entirely too happy that you’re a minister. And all of it can make a pastor long to be just an ordinary citizen of the world. The problem becomes compounded when the pastor is single. I recently went to lunch with a wonderful group of clergywomen, who explained that they do not tell guys their profession on the first few dates. They tell them that they work for a non-profit.

The Gaping Disconnect—There was also the sense that there was a detachment between the theory we learned in seminary, and the practical application that we needed in the church. For instance, we weren’t taught enough about finances, budgets, technology, or conflict management. I would add that we’re not taught evangelism in a way that is practically applicable either.

The Downward Trajectory—There was the difficulty of walking into a church that has been plummeting in membership for the last forty years. The frustration , anger, and longing to recreate the past looms large. Then when the new pastor walks in, he or she is considered to be either the bearer of salvation or the reason for the failure.

The Idea Dam—There was the palpable frustration over leaving seminary with great excitement and an innovative spirit for ministry, and then having all of that creativity blocked in the first few years. When a pastor is full of ideas, going into a declining church that is looking back, hoping to re-create the past, can be like a rush of water that hits a giant, concrete wall and has nowhere to go. As I look at generational theory, I can see that this could be a particularly frustrating thing for Generation X (those who are 28 to 48), because a leading characteristic that marks our Generation is innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Yet, in our churches, our creative flow can get quickly jammed.

Then there was The Problem of Productivity–We live in a world of metrics, reports, and data. Our congregants want to see our output, they want measurable proof that we have been working, that our time has been used in a valuable way. But what do you do when you spend ten hours of your week, counseling a couple through a terrible divorce? What do you do when you read a theological text to prepare for a sermon? How do you measure those hours, when you sneak off to the hospital to visit the teenager who just tried to commit suicide, but her parents don’t want anyone in the church to know about it? What about those weeks when your work calls you to be out of the office more than in it?
So much of our time is filled with work that cannot be measured, sometimes it cannot even be accounted for, but it is incredibly valuable. Not only that, but there seems to be a lack of trust underlying much of this inquiry. It can be quite frustrating to be laboring overwhelming hours, and then have anxious members checking to see if your car is in the church lot or have others proclaim that you “only work one hour week!”

It is clear that we cannot continue to train so many people and have them leaving the profession after a couple of years. So can we begin to imagine churches in which pastors can flourish? How can we communicate these problems to our congregations? What can we do for pastors who are starting out that might ease some of these tensions? What do you wish someone had done for you?

Click here to read the original note of Facebook

Older Churches, Budgets and making very Hard Decisions

2010-07-27T15:51:00.000-04:00

This article really speaks to exactly where Lexington Avenue is. Just this year we have started meeting in our Family Life Center as the cost of heating and cooling the Worship Center for one hour a week was out of hand. Click the title of the blog to read the One News Now Article by Tom Breen.

Churches on Fire

2010-07-21T23:17:00.000-04:00

This is a great blog by Jim Elliff of CCW.org. It simply reminds us of God's love for his church. Click the blog title to reaf Elliff's blog post

NC Pastor Fired as House Chaplain for Praying in Jesus' Name

2010-07-09T22:39:00.000-04:00

Who would have ever thought this possible? Where is the First Amendment? What does it say? Congress shall make no law allowing anyone to be offended in any way. We are all different for crying out loud and just our differences can be offensive sometimes. BTW the actual first amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Click the title of the blog to read the Fox News story

Lebron's $25 Million Dollar Savings

2010-07-09T16:05:00.001-04:00

This is interesting. It makes you realize the implications that lower taxes can have in terms of attracting business to a region. Click the title of the blog to read the Walletpop article by Kelly Phillips Erb. Thanks to my fellow thespian Jordan Googe for posting this on Facebook.

The Impact the SBC has had on Culture

2010-07-07T10:32:00.001-04:00

While this article describes the reasons that news coverage of the SBC has declined over the years, ther is a lot of information here to be gleaned reading between the lines. Leonard and Stetzer provide some really eye opening insights. It reminds me of the barber quote I posted a few weeks back.

Preacher: "What do you know about Southern Baptists?"
Barber: "You fight a lot and you are against a lot of things."

Click the title of the blog to read the news article by Jeffrey Weiss of Politics Today.

Great Homeschool News From Ebay

2010-07-05T21:02:00.000-04:00

Ebay has rescinded their discriminatory policy of not allowing Home Schooling families to list the teacher editions and answer keys. Click the title of the blog to read a Q&A from Ebay.

Sherwood’s Main Role

2010-07-03T23:21:00.002-04:00

Sherwood’s Main Role is a blog about the role of Sherwood Church's commitment to their missiona focus. It is worthy of a couple of minutes to read. Click the blog title or the link above to read the Courageous blog.

The Mission Field of Haiti

2010-07-02T14:40:00.002-04:00

This is a good article from World Relief. I am sincerely hoping that LABC will take up the World Relief banner in the fall and get involved is some missions with them. Time will tell. Click the title of the blog to read the article.

Pulpit Methodology

2010-06-30T14:02:00.003-04:00

I am an expositor at heart but will from time to time preach series on topics using stand alone texts. I would welcome comments from those of you who desire to preach the whole counsel of God's word. Comment here or on Facebook. Click the title of the blog to read the article by Iain Campbell from Reformation21.