Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life on February 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Church You’re Meant to Be
Knowing your congregation’s calling.
by Brandon O’Brien
The first church I pastored was a country congregation of about 20 people in a community of about 100. If everyone within reasonable driving distance were to attend the church—everyone—Anchor Baptist Church would only ever be a small church. The congregation knew full well, then, [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life, Doctrine and Theology, Strange but true on February 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Marks of a True Church
How does one identify a true church? There are many groups of people today who refer to themselves as the ekklesia, the church (literally “called out”). For those who are new in the faith, or for those who get confused about the many factions that exist, there are ways to [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life, Pastor on February 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Pastoral goals from On Being a Pastor: Understanding Our Calling and Work by Derek Prime and Alistair Begg (chapter 3):
to feed the flock (John 21:15-17)
to proclaim the whole will of God (Acts 20:27)
to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28-29)
to prepare God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12)
to equip God’s people to be fisher’s [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life, Worship on November 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Worship Is For Christians Only
Puritan Lad
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
The church growth movement has been marketing the plans of several megachurches as the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life on November 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Open Doors
By Trevin Wax
The church in Philadelphia experienced severe persecution, yet continued on in her proclamation of the truth. Jesus commended the church for her steadfastness, and then reminded His followers that the open door that He sets before them cannot be shut by anyone.
As the church members in Philadelphia were thrown into the streets [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life, sin, Struggles on November 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Responding to a group member who confesses a secret sin
Ryan Zempel
Okay, suppose you’re doing a good job leading a small group. You’re building relationships among group members, people seem to be growing closer to God, and everything seems to be going swimmingly, when suddenly, Whammo!—one of your group members (or even your co-leader) confesses [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church Life, Fellowship on November 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Finding True Fellowship
Biblical fellowship between believers should break the surface.
Steve Gladen
Fellowship is a misunderstood purpose of small-group ministry.
People often think they’re enjoying fellowship together, when actually they’re only experiencing a small part of what fellowship is meant to be. Too often, the parts that are missing are the elements of true community. And [...]
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Church, Church Life on November 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Marks of the True Church
We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully, by the Word of God, what is the true church– for all sects in the world today claim for themselves the name of “the church.” We are not speaking here of the company of hypocrites who are mixed among [...]
