As detailed in the previous post, we at Kenwood made a fresh English translation of the Nicene Creed for use in worship in 2018. We recited the Apostles’ Creed in 2019 and 2020, and we decided to return to the Nicene for 2021. When we did our translation, we initially decided not to include the …
Category Archives: Church
The Lord’s Supper
The early Christians met on the first day of the week for the breaking of bread and instruction in the Scriptures (Acts 20:7; cf. Justin Martyr 1 Apol. 67). This breaking of bread was in obedience to the instruction of the Lord Jesus, who told his disciples to do so in remembrance of him. Celebrating …
Is This What You Mean by “Church Growth”?
“to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer …
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SBTS Alumni Academy on Biblical Theology
Is there anything more important than the Bible? Jesus said Scripture can’t be broken, and he prayed that the Father would sanctify his people in the truth, then said, “Thy word is truth.” God’s people need God’s word. The word doesn’t work like a magic formula, however. We don’t just pass our eyes over a …
Update on Beijing Shouwang Christian Church
Some time back there was a lot of interest in what was happening to the Beijing Shouwang Christian Church. I don’t think the interest has faded, but the stream of information has run dry. Recent days have given me the opportunity to see some Chinese friends face to face. With the language barriers and the …
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The Debate about Shouwang Church
Here’s an interesting article about what is taking place in China: “The Debate about Shouwang Church.” I have a proposition, then a question prompted by the article, then brief thoughts on Paul’s response to such situations: Proposition: The Chinese government is wickedly persecuting Christians and opposing God and his gospel. May God break the teeth …
9Marks Regional Workshop in Wheeling, WV
If you’re in the area, or if you’re looking to get away for some refreshing time in the word with some co-laborers in the Gospel, it would be a joy to see you April 8–9, 2011 at the 9Marks Regional Workship in Wheeling, West Virginia, at First Baptist Church of Wheeling. Details on the Location, …
See You in Bowling Green?
I’d love to see you in Bowling Green if you’re in the area. You can register here. Schedule August 13, 2010 5:30pm – 6:30pm Check-In 7:00pm – 10:00pm Session 1 – A Theological Vision—Churches that Display God’s Glory Session 2 – Preaching & Biblical Theology Q&A August 14, 2010 8:00am – 9:00am Continental breakfast (provided) …
Interview with Jonathan Leeman on The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love
My friend Jonathan Leeman is the director of communications for 9Marks and edits their eJournal. It has been a blessing to know him for lo these many years now, and I’m excited about the appearance of his first book, The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and …
Tim Keller on the Multi-Site Model
I appreciate this from Tim Keller: 1. First, we sent our services out into different locations so that people could worship closer to where they lived. People can become more deeply involved in the community and can more easily bring friends if they attend services in their neighborhood. This was an ‘anti-mega-church’ move, since huge …
Towers Article on Brian Croft’s Visit the Sick
Good article here. No substitute for loving people this way. Earlier post here.
What I Learned in My First Pastorate
Jesus keeps his promise his way. The power of the Word of God. The joy of loving people. For elaboration, read the whole thing.
New Website for Kenwood Baptist Church
Thanks to the valiant efforts of Dan Born, Kenwood Baptist Church has a new website. Check out the revamped www.kenwoodbaptistchurch.com, and if you’re interested, you can podcast the sermons here.
Franchising the Church or Fulfilling the Great Commission: A Forum on Multiple-Campus Churches
I’m glad to see some discussion of the multi-site-church movement. SBTS recently held a public conversation between Gregg Allison, Chad Brand, and Jimmy Scroggins on this issue. Here is the link for the audio on the conversation: Franchising the Church or Fulfilling the Great Commission: A Forum on Multiple-Campus Churches I think this is a …
Interview with Thabiti on Being a Healthy Church Member (particularly as a seminarian)
Thabiti Anyabwile was kind enough to interact with me on topics related to his new book, What Is A Healthy Church Member? Our exchange is below. Enjoy! [JMH = me; TMA = Thabiti M. Anyabwile] ——— JMH: Dear Thabiti, Thanks for your service to us, brother. If I may, I’d like to ask you for …
It will be sad to say goodbye . . .
Our brothers and sisters at Redeemer are hosting a going away party. If you’re in the area and want to join us, we would love to see you. The details are on my dear brother Travis Cardwell’s blog here. Because Travis’s post says such nice things about us, I must note that every good thing …
A Wedding Sermon
Yesterday I had the great joy of preaching at a wedding for one of the guys in our church, who is also a student at SWBTS Houston. At the encouragement of a couple friends who were present, I’m posting my remarks here. May the Lord be pleased to bless our marriages that we might be …
So, Aren’t We All Cessationists? (at least on this point)
I have been sitting on this post for a long time. My students have heard me make this argument in class, but I have been hesitant to post it. The main reason I haven’t posted until now is my great respect for the continuationists at Sovereign Grace Ministries. Those guys are among the most humble, …
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Family Equipping Youth Ministry: Alex Chediak Blogs the reThink Conference
Those of you interested in approaching youth ministry in terms of equipping parents to disciple their children and helping them in that process will want to check out Alex Chediak’s blog report of the recent reThink Conference. Here’s the lineup of posts: 1. Introduction 2. Interview with Steve Wright (part 1) 3. Interview with Steve …
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A New Ministry: SBTS in the Fall
In God’s great mercy I will be joining the faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall. Here’s the story in the Towers Online. Here’s what I said when I shared this news with our church family at Baptist Church of the Redeemer: Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your …