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Most believers recognize the fact that leadership in the local church is not a luxury but indispensable. But there is difference of opinion on who those leaders should be. The biblical answer is rather straightforward: the elders are called to direct and oversee the affairs of the church. But what is precisely their task? And what should their leadership look like? Here a...
Keep ReadingThe function and role of the deacon can seem very confusing to the average churchgoer. In some churches the pastor is assisted by a board of deacons. They support the pastor but feel little to no spiritual responsibility toward the members of the church. The pastor is the sole spiritual leader, end of discussion. In other churches deacons function as pseudo-elders, providi...
Keep ReadingOn January 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade and legalized abortion. Since that day, more than 60 million babies have been killed in the womb under the legal protection of the federal government. Imagine the entire population of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida gone, completely wiped out. T...
Keep ReadingSome churches have deaconesses and some have not. And the way deaconesses fulfill their role can be quite different from church to church. I know of a church where deaconesses are virtually co-leading the church with the elders. I have been in churches where they are treated as glorified janitors. Why do believers have a different take on this issue? What does the Bible sa...
Keep ReadingOn July 15th and 16th of this year, our church celebrated its 250th anniversary. We commemorated that on July 16, 1767, thirteen men and women signed a covenant establishing, what was then called, the Baptist Church of Montague. Our historical documents speak of great joys and incredible breakthroughs during those 250 years. For example, from 1830-1843 the church enjoyed ...
Keep ReadingGod has called us to make disciples of all nations (Mat. 28:18-20). This may seem like a huge and daunting task. What can we do? What should we do? There are multiple options, but prayer should be at the top of the list. It is something all of us can do. In fact, Jesus commanded us to pray: "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the...
Keep ReadingIf you are familiar with the story of Job you would probably agree with me that his friends were awful counselors. Their advice was not helpful for Job, on the contrary. With their false assessment that his suffering was the result of his sin they only made matters worse. On top of it all, they misrepresented God. Job's friends are not skilled physicians of the soul. Howe...
Keep ReadingHow often do we leave the church service unaffected? How about unchallenged? How frequently do we go home invigorated, encouraged or, dare I say it, changed? Going to church can easily equal going through the motions. Why? One reason is easily overlooked: we come unprepared. "Hey, be happy we're here", a father and mother of three small children may protest. I understand....
Keep ReadingHow can you make a difference in your church? I once asked an ordinary church member (if there is such a person...) this question. His reaction surprised and troubled me. This young man stated that he didn't think he was in any position to make a difference in his local church. When I asked him why, he answered: "I am not in a position of influence." It is not that I disa...
Keep ReadingIdolatry in church. The title sounds ridiculous. Does it really happen? Is it even possible? Churchgoers don't worship statues. They don't pray to icons or to Mary. When gathered together, we worship the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ. Our songs sing His worth and our preaching expounds His character. But unfortunately idolatry is alive and well in the Church of C...
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