She Forgot Our Names, But Not Rock of Ages
‘My grandmom’s story taught me about the power of music for remembering and reproducing truth. The songs that Grandmom learned as a barefoot girl in a little mountain church stayed with her – for eight decades. They stayed with her when almost everything else was being forgotten.’
When parenting advice doesn’t work: Understanding PDA in autistic children
If you’ve not come across Pathological Demand Avoidance, this one is worth reading (especially if you are a pastor). If you have experienced it, this one may help you too.
Deconstruction is sooo 2022!
‘Evangelical deconstructionism is soooooo 2022! What was once the noisy talking point of Christianity among many evangelicals now seems to have gone fairly quiet. And it was noisy, wasn’t it? For a while at least. For a while back there it seemed that this thing was not going to bottom out any time soon, as big names left the church, always with a scolding for the church on the way out, as well as a nod and a wink to the secular culture.’
Your Pastor Isn’t Your Therapist… And Your Therapist Isn’t Your Pastor
I have a book on eldership that is coming out later this year that addresses this very issue: ‘There are ordinary bumps and bruises in life that don’t require therapy, for sure. Sometimes people do need a little bible homework. But over the years, I grew more comfortable knowing when I was in over my head, and saying, “Hey I’m happy to keep meeting with you. But I think it would be good for you to see a counselor.” In other words: “I can be your pastor. I can’t be your therapist.”’
The necessity of human forgiveness
I have written on this topic before. I share the theology of election outlined in this article. I don’t agree with the position on forgiveness that it offers. I think there are missteps. However, this is a helpful article to get to grips with one of the views on Christian forgiveness.
We’re not here to make converts
‘Jesus tells us to go in all the earth making disciples which he clarifies includes baptising them and teaching them to obey all he commanded. Our mission is not just starting someone on a journey through the Christian life, it includes the whole of their Christian life too. It is actually our job to help them grow into mature Christians, help them navigate the various things life throws at them, and help them die well if the Lord has not returned. The Great Commission is as much about teaching and pastoring as it is about evangelism and church-planting.’
From the archive: Family worship is not as essential as some want to insist
‘I have heard a number of people over the last few years insisting on the vital importance of set family worship. Whether that is finding time every day to do it together, or once per week, or however often. But the expectation is, first, that you definitely will do it and, second, that it is vital for teaching and training your family. If you find it helpful, have at it! But vital? I’m just not convinced.’