Preparing a new sermon on 2 Thessalonians last week, I carried a photocopy of the Greek text into the gym with me (as I often do). For about an hour, I couldn't make it past the first two words of the letter: "Paul and..."2 Thessalonians 1:1 And. Such a seemingly insignificant word. The ESV replaces … Continue reading The Blessing of “And”
I've got a couple of articles up at The Gospel Coalition and Southern Seminary's blog Southern Equip on two totally different topics, with two totally different tones. The first explores chiasm and symmetry in Scripture. The second shares personal testimony about my own struggles in the early years of ministry and the hope I found … Continue reading New Posts @ TGC and Southern Equip: ‘Chiasms’ and ‘Hope’
At Christianity Today, I had the pleasure of sharing some new (read "old--very old") theological reflection on a famous passage: Proverbs 31. There's a woman out there who needs to hear this chapter the most: In recent years, many faithful Christian women have internalized the words of Proverbs 31, but I can’t help wondering with … Continue reading The Proverbs 31 Woman at CT!
It's been a busy week! I've got posts up at three different platforms online: 9 Marks, Southern Equip, and Think Christian. Whether a church member, a pastor, or a music aficionado, you'll find something for you. Below you'll find links to articles on rediscovering the "service" in our worship service, the therapeutic nature of expository … Continue reading Articles at 9Marks, Southern Equip, and Think Christian!
I'm excited to share a new free resource with you! It's a 15 week discipleship class meant to help you your church grow to understand the inner workings of a healthy church body. What does it means to be healthy church members, elders, and deacons? After all, a body is only as healthy as each … Continue reading New Resource! “Healthy Body, Healthy Members” Bible Study
Is it right to care about how many people attend a church worship service? What about those churches that seem so obsessed with metrics and growth statistics that they reduce people to faceless numbers? In a pair of companion articles at Southern Seminary's Southern Equip, I argue both for and against being all about numbers. Curious? … Continue reading Should My Church Be All About Numbers? Y/N
By now, I'm sure many of you have read or at least heard about the expansive report from the Houston Chronicle about systemic abuse among Southern Baptist churches, a report which will continue to unfold in all its wicked, heart-breaking sorrow in parts 2 and 3. This morning, Beth Moore started a thread of women … Continue reading Why Many SBC Churches Are Still Ripe for Abuse
