Denominational Health Depends on the Understory

‘Every summer, when news comes out from various denominational meetings, you’ll notice a pattern. There’s always a controversial vote. A social media storm. Commentators declare the institution either irredeemably corrupt or finally on the right track, depending on what side they’re on. There’s the noise of newsletters and statements, frequent hand-wringing about the future, especially in light of statistics pointing to decline. Meanwhile, what makes up the bulk of denominational life continues on, unnoticed and undiscussed.’

Baptism and Welcome Songs by Local Believers

I really liked this one. It takes in issues of worship, music, contextualisation, mission and corporate gathering. Very interesting, and I particularly enjoyed reading the baptism song.

How Does Church Planting Relate to Discipleship?

‘I love church planting because God is glorified when the redeemed gather together to worship Him in Spirit and in truth in faithful congregations across the face of the earth. I also love church planting because it is one of the principal ways in which the church faithfully carries out the Great Commission. The mission of the church is the discipling of God’s people among the nations (Matt. 28:18–20). God’s people are best discipled in the context of the local church. When there is no biblically sound local church in a particular locale, a church plant is needed for the purpose of lifelong discipleship.’

Capturing the Full Scope of the Doctrine

Fred Sanders, by way of Eric Yang, speaks about the full scope of the doctrine of the trinity and what many are actually doing when they write about it. Worth a goosey gander.

Did the Early Church Share Possessions?

This is a helpful one from Darrell Bock on Acts 2 & 4. It chimes with what I have previously written on these passages here.

The God Over Dice

‘When we say, “God is sovereign,” what exactly are we saying? Is this a biblical concept, and if so, where do we see it taught in Scripture? I feel like there’s so much confusion and debate around this topic. Some people seem to think it means God controls everything down to the smallest detail, while others push back and say that undermines human freedom and responsibility. I’m getting lost in all the arguments. Could you help me understand what God’s sovereignty really means from a biblical perspective?’ – John Piper goes on to answer this one.

From the archive: When is a church not a church?

‘A church, by definition, is a gathering of believers. It is a group of people who belong to Jesus Christ, meeting together for the right teaching of the Word and right administration of the ordinances. It is a group of people who trust in Jesus Christ, by faith, for their salvation and are now meeting to hear his Word preached, to share in communion and to welcome others in through baptism. That is the sine qua non of a church. Anything less than that and you are just a group of people meeting together.’