2Marks on 9Marks

I’ve been eager to hear Mark Dever’s interview of Mark Minnick ever since I heard that it was going to take place. It features two pastors for whom I have a great deal of admiration and who have influenced my own philosophy of local church ministry for good. I appreciate both men, particularly Pastor Minnick, [...]

Dumb and Dumber: Evangelicals and Fundamentalists

This article from CNN.com is an interesting read. It looks at our culture’s assumption that evangelicals (not to mention fundamentalists) are ignorant, considering factors that have contributed to that notion in recent history as well and pointing out current attempts to overcome it. As expected, the discussion focuses primarily on Bible-believers’ rejection of evolution. From [...]

Too Funny

Mahaney on Christ’s Forsakenness

I’ve mentioned before that I’m working through CJ Mahaney’s Living the Cross Centered Life with a couple men from our church. This morning we worked through chapters 7-8, the latter of which is entitled “The Scream of the Damned” and focuses on Christ’s forsakenness. What an amazing thought—that Jesus, who ever pleased the Father, was [...]

The Church as a Slingshot

One of my favorite New Testament studies is considering the many “pictures” used to describe the church. The church is a flock, a building, a body, a family, an army, a bride, a cultivated field, etc. The pictures vary greatly, each providing a different perspective and emphasizing different truths. Well, another picture—which, though it isn’t [...]

Spurgeon on the Christian Soldier’s Great Love

Please plan a time over the next few days to read Spurgeon’s sermon on 2 Timothy 2:3, “A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ.” Outside of the Scriptures themselves, I doubt that you’ll read much that will be so profitable for your soul and Christ’s kingdom. I read a fair amount of Spurgeon, and I don’t [...]

Borrowing Brains: Children’s Ministry Philosophy

I’m addressing the development of children’s ministries in the local church (and especially the church plant) at an upcoming conference. I’ve given the topic a lot of thought in the past, but I’d like to consider some helpful resources, as well. What have you read (books, online articles, etc.) that is particularly helpful in developing [...]

Tribe Starters Are Unhittable

It’s early in the season, and sports don’t matter anyway, but this is pretty amazing:
“Cleveland starters have pitched 43 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings since Friday.” (from Sportsline.com)
They’ve already recorded a MLB-leading 7 shutouts. The Tribe’s hitting hasn’t been so good thus far, but that’s some crazy pitching.

Quick Hits (5/14/08)

Several links to articles and sermons to pass on…
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Here are two great links on educational choices and the local church. As a pastor of a church which has something like 1/3 public school kids, 1/3 Christian school kids, and 1/3 home school kids, I heartily agree with the Harris’ perspective and the need for churches [...]

“The Place of Women in the Church”

I occasionally get a useful insight regarding a text’s meaning or application from The Interpreter’s Bible commentary set which was printed in the 1950’s by the United Methodists. I know that it has liberal tendencies, but I’ve sometimes found some helpful meat amidst the bones—even if it’s just a clever turn of phrase. Today was [...]