Dealing With Disappointment in the Church
April 9, 2010
Kevin DeYoung has some wonderful advice at his blog (in 3 parts)…
Part 1. Introduction for all
Part 2. For pastors and elders
Part 3. For members
Back from the Twin Lakes Fellowship
April 9, 2010
Chris and I are back from our annual trip to Jackson, MS and the meeting of the Twin Lakes Fellowship. Traditionally, Ligon Duncan offers a great lecture on what the fellowship is all about, and his talking points have been extremely helpful for our own vision at Calvin. Although this year’s audio is not up, don’t miss Ligon’s talk from 2008 found here.
Update: The audio from this year is now up at the Twin Lakes Fellowship website.
A Prayer for a New Pastor
April 9, 2010
It was a joy for me to hear of the installation of Derek Miller as the Associate Pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church, DuBois, PA. Grace is a new church in an area devoid of a Biblical, Reformed witness, and Derek is a solid man that will be a great addition to the church. (By the way, I’ll be speaking at Grace Reformed on May 8th at their first annual True Spirituality conference. Info can be found here.)
Bill Kriner, an elder at Grace Reformed, prayed the following prayer, a good model of prayer for any who pray faithfully for their pastors.
Father, we gather here together to witness and participate in this installation of Derek as Associate Pastor of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. We humbly acknowledge that this process was initiated by You alone and that we merely recognize and affirm this Your sovereign work. For this is Your Church called into being by You. We praise you and thank You that you have chosen Derek to be a shepherd of the flock of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. We further acknowledge that only by Your grace and mercy can we fulfill the promises we have just made. May we be faithful in our prayers for Derek continually seeking grace for him to discharge his duties to Your glory and for the good of Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church. May we be faithful in seeking to receive the Word of truth preached with meekness and love and submit to Derek in all matters of discipline. May we always be encouraging and supportive of Derek in his Gospel labor. May we be generous to him with time and treasure so that he may be free of worldly cares in order that he may equip the saints for the work of ministry, building the body of Christ in the unity of faith and the knowledge of You to full Christian maturity. Father, we are the most blessed of people, chosen by You to be a part of Your supernatural work on earth … Your Church. A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of Your own possession; all so that we may proclaim Your excellencies, You Who have called us out of darkness to Your marvelous light. May we be ever mindful of our status as Your people, bought by the blood of Your Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And, may this congregation and Derek be always faithful and obedient to You and Your Church by and through Your grace in the Name of the Lord for the sake of Your glory. In the precious Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
A Little Laughter for Monday Morning
April 5, 2010
Ordinary Means Podcast: On Prayer and Idolatry
April 2, 2010
Another great discussion from our “Ordinary Means” friends. You don’t want to miss this one!
Ordinary Means: On Prayer and Idolatry
And, if you’re on a podcast roll (as I am), check out this archived “Ordinary Means” talk from Ligon Duncan on what an ordinary means of based graced ministry is.
Ordinary Means: Ligon Duncan on the Ordinary Means
I Wonder, Do You Know Him?
April 1, 2010
I first heard this while in seminary. It’s making its rounds around the web once again. Oh, to know the King more!
“Let the noise of children inhabit all our congregations.”
April 1, 2010
Scott Clark offers some good thoughts on the importance of children in worship here.
And, speaking of our covenant children, I’m glad to say that a number of our children have already requested to be examined by Chris and I over their knowledge of the catechisms through our “Grounded in the Gospel” program. More info on “Grounded in the Gospel” can be found here.