Why should it be done? This is really the most important issue. What exactly does baptism do? Why is it important? Does baptism make someone a Christian? Does it actually have the power to save someone? On these last two questions, the answer is no as our salvation is only by the sacrifice of Christ made for us on the … Read More
Baptism & Its Significance, Part 3 of 6
This week we’re continuing to look at when baptism should be done or part 2 of “The Case for Infant Baptism.” [Btw, the picture above is of my grandson, Theodore Jonathan Ginchereau (Theo). He’s my daughter, Emily, and Josh’s son whom you might remember was born two months premature in March. We’re so grateful that he is doing great now … Read More
Baptism & Its Significance, Part 2 of 6
Over the next two weeks, we’ll be looking at When Should Baptism Be Done? or The Case for Infant Baptism, Part 1 & 2. [Btw, the picture above is of my son, Timothy, and my granddaughter, Iris. He and his wife, Sarah, braved church for the first time last week! Crazy times…] When Should Baptism Be Done & The Case … Read More
Baptism & Its Significance, Part 1 of 6
Baptism is a big deal. The Christian Church worldwide (Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox) all agree that it’s related to the beginning of a person’s Christian life and the believer’s initiation into the church (both the universal invisible church and the local visible church). It is performed and received as an act of obedience to Christ who himself was baptized (Matt.3:13) … Read More
Getting Involved in Spiritual Transformation, Part 3 of 4
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3, ESV A verse like the above can seem so inaccessible in a year like 2020. Like one friend said after last week’s post, “How do you cultivate delight … Read More
Is Church an Essential Service?
Well, no and yes. Let me explain. No. When it comes to surviving a global pandemic, where everything is temporarily stripped down to the basics—food, clothing, shelter—physically meeting in a local church is not essential. It is appropriately put on hold or done virtually. Not all agree, however—even church leaders. For example, one pastor recently articulated his anti-social distancing sentiments … Read More
Reaching Those Who’ve Been Hurt by the Church, Part 3 of 3
***Part 1 made the “awareness” case. Part 2 and this week give the other nine of ten essentials for reaching those who’ve been hurt or disillusioned by the Church. For a full version of this article see here. 7) Humility: As Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5), and it’s at this point we should also enlist … Read More
Reaching Those Who’ve Been Hurt by the Church, Part 2 of 3
***Last week (Part 1) we made the “awareness” case. This week (Part 2) and next (Part 3) we get more practical, sharing the remaining nine of ten essentials for reaching those who’ve been hurt or disillusioned by the Church. For a full version of this article see here. 2) Empathy: It’s at this point that we, as believers, have a … Read More
Reaching Those Who’ve Been Hurt by the Church, Part 1 of 3
***Friends, this is an article I just prepared for Care Net’s network. I broke it down into three parts for the purposes of this blog. Spirituality wrongly understood or pursued is a major source of human misery and rebellion against God.[1] —Dallas Willard Last year, God gave me the fire to complete a book — and a handbook for discipleship … Read More
Finding Peace in a Global Pandemic
So much has happened these last few weeks and things keep changing every day! Praying for all of us to stay safe, flexible, and know how to navigate our responsibilities and callings in the coming days. The practical angst related to an incredulous lack of toilet paper aside, the more difficult quest for most of us is the search for serenity… Be … Read More