Looking Like JesusSome time ago I came to realize that I did not love the people next door. They were, by any standards, dangerous and unpleasant people-ex-bikers who made their living selling drugs.
"A Step Forward"
[The Presbyterian Journal, 6 March 1974, pages 7-8]
Shortly after the formation of the Presbyterian Church in America, on 4 December 1973, Dr. Francis A. Schaeffer composed the following thoughts in observance of that event. Notable in his mind was the contrast between the divisions of the 1930's and the 1970's and the manner in which each of these divisions had been conducted.
[Note that the "National Presbyterian Church" to which Dr. Schaeffer refers was the original name of what is now the Presbyterian Church in America, the name having been changed a year later to avoid conflict with another body.]
The formation of the National Presbyterian Church is a step forward in the Lord's work in our chaotic age!
As a life-long Presbyterian and now a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, I have had a deep interest in the Presbyterian Church US since my days at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, from which I graduated in 1935.
Even at that time it was evident that Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va., was a source of liberalism in the pulpits of the PCUS. Through the years I have seen no sign that the situation is improving.
Below is a link to Eric McKiddie's website, pastoralized, and one of the articles on the website...a useful place to find insightful articles. Photo by crowt59 at Flickr
Understanding gospel-centered ministry merely in terms of preaching the message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection will turn you into a one-trick pastoral pony. Pastoral work should have the gospel as its motivation, not only its message.
The following is taken from a website listing the 9 marks of a healthy church. It was linked in a blog by Pastor Jay Thomas of the CHBC.
1st Mark of a Healthy Church MEMBER: Expositional LISTENING
By Thabiti Anyabwile
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes.…
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Paradigm Questions To which of the following commands of Christ’s do you only pay only lip service? Love your enemies…
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Eugene Peterson’s book, Eat This Book gets its name from Revelation 10:9-10 when John asks for the scroll containing God’s…
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This Christian apologetics written by C. S. Lewis and first published in 1942. Lewis composed a book of letters from…
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Bob Dylan in the song Watered-Down Love describes the treacheries of watering down the love that God has for us.…
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Bruce Cockburn’s song Dialogue With The Devil powerfully describes the ease of slipping away from the presence of God and…
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Amazing Grace is a historical drama about William Wilberforce who was elected to British Parliament at the age of 21…
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Academy Award nominated film from 1973 about the spiritual awakening of St. Francis of Assisi. The style of the film…
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The finished diamond is one of the most beautiful and desirable gems.
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As we abide in him and he abides in us, we are receiving his life rather than creating our own…
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“falling in love with God,” as Boa’s subtitle for the facet explains. In this approach we attempt to enter into…
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We experience a great sense of the wonder, boldness, and overwhelming awe of God through our relationship with the Holy…
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Praise is adoration of God for who He is, His person, His character, His names. It is loving God because…
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What does it mean to be a Christian?
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What does it mean to be a disciple, to follow the disciplines necessary to serve Jesus with our whole heart?
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And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15
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