22 articles.
The Christian life is marked by numerous paradoxes. To name a few, Christians live by dying (John 12:24-25), are exalted by humiliation (Matt. 23:12; James 4:10; Phil. 2:5-11), and are freed from sin by being bound to Christ (Rom.
Canyon Missional Community (CMC) is a church plant located in Canyon, TX, approximately twenty minutes south of Amarillo, TX. Roughly three years ago, First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo sent Pastor Kim Talley and a team of elders and deacons to plant a church near the West Texas A&M campus. Thus, CMC is thoroughly concerned with reaching students with the Gospel of Christ, yet it is not a campus ministry.
My friend, I appreciate and value your heart for orphans, for Jesus Himself cared for those in need and commanded His disciples to do the same (Matt. 25:35-40). Likewise, James, as you have pointed out, admonishes his audience: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (Jas 1:27).
My friend, I have noticed that you prefer prayer services and dialogue more than the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. It is okay that you have preferences, but I sincerely want you to see that sermons and lessons are as important as other aspects of Christian fellowship. I am writing you to encourage you to delight in such things.
Dear brother, why do you neglect to worship with us on Sundays? I know you believe worship is a lifestyle; indeed, it is. But you are missing out on so much when you are not there.
Rather than seven, as in Roman Catholicism and Orthodox expressions of the Christian Faith, most Protestant denominations have two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. This brief paper will focus on these two sacraments as proper, examine their significance as means of grace, and declare their proper methodologies and details of their administration, answering the questions, "In what way do they communicate grace, by whom are they administered, to whom are they administered, and in what setting?"
The Apostle Peter's words are profound: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 4:10-11). Not only do these words demonstrate the supremacy of Christ working in His people through varied gifts, but they also demonstrate the three offices of the church: member, elder, and deacon.
Sound polity in the local church is essential for a healthy ministry marked by faithfulness to Christ and His gospel, for polity determines how a church is structured, led, and connected to other churches. From a Presbyterian perspective, sound polity is characterized by covenantal membership, governance by elders and presbyters in graded courts, and binding association with other churches for accountability and mission. This short essay will examine the characteristics of polity and how they are understood by Presbyterians, while engaging the Baptist perspective.
Throughout church history, there have been various debates over what constitutes a church, yet there has been much consensus as well. The marks of the church are agreed upon by virtually all Christians; differences arise in their understanding and practice. While much could be said of the denominational differences in interpretation, this short essay will be concerned with the marks in an objective sense, interpreted in light of Scripture and history.
Congregational polity, a longtime distinctive of Baptist ecclesiology, is rooted in Biblical convictions and historical development. John S. Hammett describes the polity of Baptist churches this way: "Baptists have stood virtuously unanimously in favor of congregational church government… In this model, the congregation exercises the ultimate human authority in the church, under Christ's divine authority.
The Modern Era has seen significant advancements in practical pneumatology, which elaborates on who the Holy Spirit is and explains how He strengthens or sanctifies Christians. He is the root and cause of sanctification. Jonathan Edwards explains it well:
While we are a Presbyterian church in a Presbyterian denomination, we can learn much from our Baptist brothers in Christ. One of the valuable teachings we would be wise to adopt is meaningful membership—"membership is not simply the record of a statement we once made or an affection toward a familiar place. It must be the reflection of a living commitment, or it is worthless." Membership commands our utmost commitment.
Models of discipleship are helpful tools for evangelism and discipleship practices. They seek to systematically present the contents, doctrines, and imperatives of the Bible concerning such disciplines concisely so that they can be incorporated into Christians' ministries. This paper will evaluate three of these models built by various Christian institutions.
For the International Church Assignment, I was invited to visit Kansas City Korean Baptist Church by my good friend, Samad, who is ethnically half Korean and half Pakistani. While it was preferable to attend a church that worships in English, I did not want to pass upon the opportunity of hearing the saints worship in a language that I did not speak. Therefore, Samad offered to translate the service for me in order that I may understand, learn, and be edified by the church that was not a part of my own culture, yet living in the midst of it.
This short essay will concern itself with the ecclesiology of the Baptist denomination. However, it will do so by following Scriptural prescriptions and doctrines found within the Bible. It will look at the topics of the church's view on its own purpose, membership, disciplinary action, leadership, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, relationship with other churches, and the relationship it has with the state and politics.
The church is a lot like an automobile. It is composed of parts that work together to carry passengers down the road. Similarly, the church as a body is made up of parts.
Reju, Deepak. On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2014. 210 pp.
Just like any other entity in the world that has a constant flow of money and resources, churches have to manage their finances. However, this management is not like any other management. It is a stewarding of the resources that God has given a church to use for His glory and His people.
Scriptural texts like 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 14, and Ephesians 4 make it clear that the body of Christ is composed of a variety of parts. These parts are due to different gifts that the Lord has given to His people. There are ministerial parts, composed of elders, which includes pastors and overseers, and deacons.
Ephesians 4:7-16 is a wonderful passage that explains how Jesus gifted the church with the Apostles and elders in order for them to be "[His] assistants [in] shepherding His churches." By examining this section of Scripture, readers will come to understand that Christ is the chief administrator over all other administrators, including the administrators and leaders He establishes, and the church offices are to communicate God's Word and promote unity under the headship of Christ.
Wax, Trevin. The Multi-Directional Leader: Responding Wisely to Challenges from Every Side. Austin, TX: The Gospel Coalition, 2021. 88 pp. $14.99.
Tripp, Paul D. Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020. 231 pp. $26.99.