Is Schleiermacher Sharing Your Pulpit?
Some say it doesn’t matter the path you take so long as you arrive at the proper destination. According to this advice, the final destination is assumed to be more important than the path taken. But the path and destination are not so easily separated. Whether discussing travel or life, we’re all aware that paths shape us, for good or ill. What’s more, they always determine our condition when we arrive at our destination—and often...
Anthropology for Pastors
Pastors spend a lot of time thinking about people. As much time as they invest in biblical study, planning services, and more, people are the focus of their ministry. To be sure, Christ is the ultimate object of our worship and service. Serving Him means we are shaped primarily by His Word and the Holy Spirit. However, sermons are preached to people. Struggling members are counseled. Wayward saints are confronted. Take any meaningful...
From Rebellion to Reverence
Appear before the Queen of England and you will quickly discover a clear list of dos and don’ts [1]. Call it royal etiquette. For instance, you stand when she enters the room. You don’t speak, unless first spoken to. If spoken to, you address her in a proper manner worthy of Her Majesty. You certainly don’t initiate physical contact. If she deems your hand fit to shake, your handshake should be brief. You also dress in a particular...
Forum14: “The Gospel for Life”
Welch College does the Free Will Baptist denomination, and the broader evangelical community a great service in hosting its annual Bible Conference. Last year, its theme was “Culture & the Kingdom” with speakers such as Ken Myers and Timothy Tennent. This year’s theme was “The Gospel for Life.” It took place on March 9-11, 2014, and included speakers Dr. Ajith Fernando, Dr. Russell Moore, Dr. Jeff Manning, Jeff Nichols, David...
Churches Aren’t Radio Stations
In Herman Melville’s classic work Moby Dick, the main character Ishmael tells of the last chapel service he attended before setting out on a whaling vessel. He details the odd pulpit used in the small chapel, which resembled a large ship’s bow. To further the nautical impression, the high pulpit could only be reached by use of a velvet rope ladder akin to the rope ladders used to reach a ship’s masts. Ishmael eventually concludes,...
Ministering Well in the Middle
by Frank Owens “Some pastors and preachers are lazy and no good. They do not pray; they do not read; they do not search the Scripture…This evil, shameful time is not the season for being lazy, for sleeping and snoring” [1]. Here Luther reminds us that ministry requires vigilance at every stage of ministry, especially in the middle and later years. When speaking of “the middle” I’m primarily referring to that age between 40-55, where...
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