Brandon Levering has written a thoughtful post on how established churches can think like church plants. He offers five ways: 1. Church plants clearly define their mission and keep it before them in everything they do. 2. Church plants feel an acute sense of urgency to engage in evangelism. 3...

There has been quite a broo-ha-ha stiring over James MacDonald's invitation of T.D. Jakes to his "Elephant Room" event. Thabiti Anyabwile sees the invitation as a significant setback to the African American church. He writes: In 2007, the Lord granted me the privilege of publishing The Decline of...

What would change if churches took more seriously Luke's message - the Holy Spirit's message - that the life of the church is the continuing teaching and doing ministry of Jesus Christ, the risen and exalted Lord?... How would an awareness of Christ's presence affect all the issues surrounding the...

On Sunday I began a new series of messages entitled The Mission . The messages will examine the church's commission to make disciples. The first sermon is entitled "God: The Original Missionary" and can be listened to or downloaded HERE .

WTSBooks is offering Paul Tripp's excellent book Instruments In The Redeemer's Hands for 50% off. This is one every Christian ought to read. A wonderful application of the old Gaelic saying, 'God strikes straight blows with crooked sticks.' As inadequate as we are, God is eager to use us to help...

It is not God's will that we live our lives doubting our salvation. Unfortunately some formulations of regeneration depend upon our feelings at any given moment or whether or not we prayed the right prayer or prayed it and really meant it. Many of you grew up in this kind of doubt enducing, joy...

Community: Taking Your Group Off Life Support From the Publisher: House examines healthy, gospel-centered small groups in three sections. In the first, he lays a foundation for the need and purpose of small-group community. He then presents a big-picture "health plan" for small groups, looking...

Ultimately Christians will take refuge from their questions about evil not in proud theories that explain evil away, but in combating evil, opposing it, especially evil within themselves but also in the larger world as well. Christians will take refuge from their questions about suffering not in...

Today, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary hosted a panel discussion on the theological implications of the 9/11/2001 calamity. Check it out HERE .

From Carl Trueman : It seems a bit of a brouhaha is developing over the exclusion of (or, perhaps better, lack of invitation to) evangelical Protestants to participate in the religious ceremonies at the National Cathedral this weekend to commemorate 9/11. The prayer vigil will, according to Fox...

On Sunday I wrapped up the series through the book of Ruth with the sixth message in the series. It is entitled "Mission Accomplished" and can be listened to or downloaded HERE .

Joe Carter has written a fascinating article entitled How to Destroy a Culture in 5 Easy Steps . Check it out.

Denny Burk makes a compelling case that Paul was a widower. His points are as follows: 1. Paul puts himself in the category of being “unmarried” in 1 Corinthians 7:8. 2. The word “unmarried” translates the Greek word agamos. 3. Paul uses the term agamos to refer to those who have been married but...

The most recent edition of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology includes a fine article by Dr. Ardel Canaday. Dr. Canaday offers a compelling critique of the efforts of Biologos to "deconstruct Adam to fit evolution." Take time to read the article HERE .

For Hitchens to point out all the problems in the world and blame them on 'religion' is like writing a book attacking 'medicine,' that well-meaning endeavor which has killed its untold millions. But to get this result we have to define medicine as 'anything that comes, promising relief, in bottles...

To what extent should the church adopt business practices from the world? Is it wrong to market the church? These are some of the questions Mark Dever asks John Harden in this interview .

A recent article in the New York Times Magazine explores a little talked about trend in the abortion industry - baby reduction. It is the practice of aborting one or more babies of a multiple pregnancy. It is difficult to find words to describe such wickedness. This dastardly practice is wrapped up...

There are six new booklets available from The Gospel Coalition in this very helpful series. The Kingdom of God by Stephen Um The Gospel and Scripture: How to Read the Bible by Mike Bullmore Sin and the Fall by Reddit Andrews Justification by Philip Graham Ryken Baptism and the Lord's Supper by...

Mark Driscoll has famously said that God has spoken audibly to him. Driscoll reports that God gave him audible commands to become a pastor, marry his wife, and plant a church. There are a lot of things I appreciate about Mark Driscoll. He has been a stalwart champion of sound doctrine, expositional...

In the days ahead I will be posting some articles based upon my sermon and vision presentation on Vision Day at Church of the Saviour. I presented a nine point vision that will guide Church of the Saviour in the days ahead. It is as follows: 1. The glory of God will be our chief end and highest...

From an article by J.I. Packer : 1. The inspiration of the Bible is an activity of God, who providentially rules over the utterances of men and is binding upon us. 2. There is a subjectively recognized and objectively inspired canon. In other words, not all inspired words are canonical, but all...

[vimeo 26440717 w=400 h=225] IX Marks at 9 - 2011 SBC Annual Meeting from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo .

From R.W. Glenn : About nine years ago I developed the following list of prayer requests that I gave to every willing hand. I haven't passed them out in at least four years, but I decided to resurrect them. Why? I need prayer...badly! And so does your pastor. As leaders in the church we have unique...

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=24636511&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0 Make God's Word Your 'Thing' from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo ...