Why Are We So Worried About Church Growth?
In my last article I attempted to answer the following question, “Whose responsibility is church growth?” I answered this question by concluding that this responsibility lies ultimately with God rather than men. I then made several suggestions as to how we might return to this perspective. Still this general discussion gives rise to many other questions, perhaps the most pronounced being, “Why are we so worried about church growth...
Rethinking Persecution
Christianity speaks to the entire range of human experience. It not only provides the content of our views of God, but it also guides our moral decision-making. It offers an account of a well-ordered family, a well-ordered church, and a well-ordered life. Ultimately, it speaks to the transformation of all creation by God. Our faith demands that we not only affirm these truths, but that we herald them to the world. The Scriptures refer...
All Together Now: A Theology and Strategy for Race Relations
Racism is a dirty word. Billy Graham referred to it as a “deadly poison” [1], Jefferson Edwards, Jr. a “cancer” [2]. Despite a difficult history, efforts have been made in recent decades to correct yesterday’s wrongs. Some of these have been cultural, others political, and still others social. These notwithstanding, Christians should know what the Scriptures state about race relations. Though the whole testimony of Scripture speaks to...
Southey & Slavery
By Nathan Trimble God often uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary feats in culture and in society. And all too often, Christians ignore one of the greatest tools that God has given them, namely, those talents with which He has gifted them. Several examples shine forth through the centuries, which represent attempts to redefine the cultural norms and to effect change in the name of Christ. Robert Southey was such a man. This...
Church Growth: Whose Job Is It Anyway?
Every day junk mail floods church mailboxes luring pastors to jump on the church growth bandwagon. Information on the topic constantly streams forth in the form of seminars, conferences, and books. Pastors and laymen alike are urged to model their church after the newest, trendiest, most popular methods used by other churches. Unfortunately, there is no end in sight for this downward spiral. Many of the concepts of what we know as...
Rebuilding Baptist Identity: Reestablishing the Priesthood of All Believers
Everyone longs for identity. As Christians engage with postmodern culture, many find themselves in the midst of an identity crisis. They realize that their identity lies outside of themselves (rather than the confines of their own perception) and is therefore established within the boundaries of Scripture, the local church, and the greater Christian tradition. The quest for identity has caused evangelicals to rethink who they are and...
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