New England news & perspectives
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One: The Most Important Number?
In my previous blog post, I discussed the great importance Scripture places on numbers, especially the numbers of people who place their faith in Christ. In recent years, I have heard many objections to putting value on numbers in ministry. One of the most common objections is the idea that God really cares about the one – the individual.
Numbers in Ministry: Necessary or Worldly?
The church is supposed to be making more disciples. We are being used by God to bring in the harvest, so that for all eternity there will be that multitude before the throne of God. The mission God has given us is about numbers, so we need to be guided by Scripture into a nuanced use of numbers in our ministries.
Healthy growth and change, Part 4: What is your church aiming at?
Squirrel!
The dogs from the movie Up have become a symbol of easy distractibility. Every sound, sight, and smell pulls the attention away in an instant. Unfortunately, many churches have been distracted by squirrels – tasks that pull your attention away from the mission Christ has given the church.
True tradition: Healthy growth and change, Part 3
It’s inescapable. All churches have traditions. There are Southern Baptist traditions, and there are groups and varieties within the Southern Baptists with their own brands of tradition. Individual churches develop their own distinct traditions.
What is your church’s guidebook? Healthy growth and change part 2
A necessary question for analyzing the health of your church is: “What are the authoritative instructions that are followed by your church?” Every church follows some set of rules or guidelines. Some churches are very committed to careful adherence to their constitution and bylaws. In some churches, Roberts Rules of Order are the ultimate authority. In newer churches, the church might be following a church planting model or the individual church planter’s vision. The rules and guidelines may be an unwritten set of traditions – “the Baptist way” or “the way we have always done things.”
Whose church is it? Healthy growth and change part 1
Autonomy. That’s a key value in Baptist circles. We do not want anyone telling our church what to do. In fact, a key question in any church is, “Whose church is it?”
You probably know that the answer to that question can be different in different churches. Some churches belong to the majority of members or even a few key members. Some churches belong to certain committees or a deacon board. Some churches belong to the pastor or church planter.
How do you keep score?
Professionals like to list their accomplishments on their resumes. In fact, LinkedIn is a professional social media platform designed for professionals to continuously update and publicize their list of accomplishments for the world to see.
Are they with us?
Waging war against our cultural and theological enemies is not what Christ taught us. Jesus taught his disciples principles of Christian nonaggression.
The wrong ministry advice
Have you been listening to the right people? Rehoboam was a famous king of ancient Israel who was best known for listening to bad advice. Perhaps you have been turning to the same set of counselors.
Rehoboam had a hard act to follow. His father was Solomon – the epic, larger-than-life sage-king. Solomon had a thousand women and mountains of riches. He had expanded Israel’s territory and influence, and he had constructed palaces, gardens and the temple of God.
Pastor, how clear is your conscience?
Recently there was one more shocking revelation of a well-known spiritual leader who spent years secretly engaging in sexual sin. This led me to consider the proper expectations for pastors in their lives and ministries.
When the nation is shaken
It feels like recent events in our country have shaken us. The nation as a whole has been shaken, and many of the individual citizens and residents feel shaken. We are witnessing quite a bit of chaos, anger, and divisiveness.
But, if we read our Bibles, this is what we should expect. Generally speaking, we should never be surprised when the world acts like the world, as the old saying goes. Sin has visible effects on the world around us – effects that should bother us, but not surprise us.
Holy impatience: “How long, Lord?”
There is nothing like a global pandemic to remind you that life is short and you are but a frail mortal. A microscopic virus could send you or someone you love to the hospital or to the grave.
Moses experienced something similar with the people of Israel when they were exiled to the wilderness for forty years. He witnessed the deaths of all the older generations during their wilderness wanderings. Although he himself lived a long time, he was well aware of the shortness and frailty of human life.
Should Christians follow “the science”?
During the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a tremendous amount of pressure upon all of us to “follow the science.” Our governmental policies and our individual actions are supposed to be prescribed by medical science. But now that the initial panic has largely subsided, it is time for some cool-headed reflection. Should it be a goal for Christians to follow the science?
What’s the refrain of your life?
Have you ever been in front of the congregation during singing? If you have, then you know that in most songs the congregation loves to sing the refrain. In fact, very often the congregation struggles or mumbles through the verses of a song, and then, upon reaching the chorus, they wake up and sing with renewed gusto.
Rhode Island: A small place of small places
An easy way to annoy a Rhode Islander is to ask him if he is from Providence. Don’t get me wrong. If you ask me that question, I do appreciate that you know Rhode Island is a state and that you can name our capital and largest city.
Going in circles?
Feel like your church is going in circles? Feel like your church is just treading water or going round and round in a holding pattern?
This isn’t the way we would choose to do things – stuck in our homes, maintaining social distancing. Pastors are preaching to camera. Small groups are “meeting” via Zoom. This isn’t how church is supposed to be!
Remember the widow: The importance of giving when it hurts
Times are tough. Not only are we mostly trapped in our homes, not only are grocery store shelves shockingly bare, but many of us have lost jobs or are working reduced hours. Money is tight. And it seems like we sometimes have different expenses – even greater expenses.
Reflections on the death of a loved one
My family recently suffered the loss of my mother-in-law, a wonderful woman of God who was taken from us rather suddenly by pancreatic cancer.
My mind turns to the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11 when Jesus Himself lost someone He loved (John 11:3, 5), and I ponder three questions: