As I continue to prepare Mantua Creek for a baptismal service on 9.15 and make some updates to Baptism and Its Significance, this week we’ll explore this question: How did the Baptist perspective on baptism offer an important corrective to the Church at a key moment in history, but then go too far?“ Derek Radney, Pastor at Trinity Church (PCA) … Read More
Did the First Baptists Baptize by Immersion?
“A strange view held by many Baptists: Only immersion counts as real/valid baptism, but grape juice instead of wine will suffice in communion.” -Derek Radney, Pastor at Trinity Church (PCA) in Winston-Salem, NC In preparation for a Mantua Creek baptismal service on Sunday, September 15th hosted by our parent church, Ashland Church, I’m adding some updates to the constructive conversation … Read More
Defining Christian Nationalism, 1 of 2
I was finishing tiling her floor when my friend, Margaret, asked me “What is Christian nationalism?” She had seen the term referenced in this Mantua Creek story of impact from last year: “When we first started coming, I was questioning if there was a place for me in the evangelical church. I was discouraged by the rise of Christian Nationalism … Read More
Nurturing a Healthy Church Family
“Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers, to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters—with absolute purity.” 1 Timothy 5:1-2, NRSVUE This year, at Mantua Creek, we’re going through the pastoral epistles and Philemon. Last week my study of the text above was so surprisingly … Read More
The Problems with Single-Issue Voting
I’m not a fan of single-issue voting, especially the kind that seeks to intimidate and impose one person or group’s convictions on another. Like other forms of fundamentalism, it tends to oversimplify reality, ignore a forest of other issues, dumb people down into clones, alienate upcoming generations who prioritize differently, and judge others who don’t think as they do. As … Read More
Gospel Transformation vs. Politics
As a minister of the gospel serving at the center of the pro-life movement, I often used the phrase “non-political” to distance myself from unhelpful associations with white Republicanism and single-issue voting. Additionally, as a “never-Trumper,” I did it to protect myself from being canceled by many in my own network. I say this last statement not to disparage those … Read More
Timeless Guidance for Men and Women in the Church
8 I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument, 9 also that the women should dress themselves in moderate clothing with reverence and self-control, not with their hair braided or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for … Read More
Lies the Church Has Told About Women
“I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” 1 Timothy 2:12-14, NRSVUE When people abuse God’s word people get hurt. Indeed, the ripple effects reach far into the future. … Read More
An Invitation to Lent
Hi Friends! I’m so excited to share the great piece below by my good friend Scott Carr Jr., who writes his own blog at reimaginefaith.org (check it out!) and attends Mantua Creek Church (EPC). Last week, while I was speaking at another church, he shared the below with our group and I received so many positive comments on it. Indeed, … Read More
Pursuing God’s Heart in 2024
Happy New Year, Friends! 2 Timothy 1:3-18 is my favorite passage to meditate on as I begin a new year, partly because of the simple, memorable, three-point outline below.[1] In an effort to share it with you as clearly as possible, after some introductory remarks related to 3-5, I’ll offer some reflective thoughts and questions after each point and relevant … Read More