The GARBC in Omaha
This summer I was able to attend the annual meetings of three Baptist fellowships. One of those was the annual conference of the General Association… Read More »The GARBC in Omaha
In the Nick of Time
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association
Among the benefits of my summer schedule is the opportunity to visit several Baptist associations and fellowships. This June and July I have attended three… Read More »The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association
Friendship
Philosophers and poets have waxed eloquent on the subject of friendship, but one verse from the Bible says more than all their panegyrics combined. It… Read More »Friendship
Change or Die
In a recent blog post, Pastor Travis Smith attributed the closing of Clearwater Christian College largely to a change in its position and standards. I… Read More »Change or Die
Change and Die?
I don’t know Pastor Travis Smith, but I like and respect him. For one thing, he has ministered at the same church for thirty years—an… Read More »Change and Die?
Adoration
The adoration of God is one of the most neglected practices in American evangelicalism. Many evangelicals could not even describe what adoration is. This neglect… Read More »Adoration
Providence
Most of the time I write these essays either in my study during working hours or else sitting upstairs at home in the evening. This… Read More »Providence
How To Think About Israel
The state of Israel is in the news at least weekly, sometimes daily. The United States is still the greatest supporter of Israel, but public… Read More »How To Think About Israel
Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 2
Last week, I wrote of several ways in which Paul evidenced his love for the very difficult congregation of Corinth. Now, I will add one… Read More »Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 2
Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 1
With only the possible exception of Galatians, 2 Corinthians is the most personally revealing letter that Paul wrote to a church. While good men differ… Read More »Some Reflections on Pastoral Love: Part 1
Pastors, Deacons, and Whatsits
The New Testament specifies two offices for the local church. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 3, told his young protégé that he was writing… Read More »Pastors, Deacons, and Whatsits
Who Redefined Marriage?
The Supreme Court of the United States has heard the case of Obergefell v Hodges, in which the core contention is that marriage between two… Read More »Who Redefined Marriage?
Institutional Alignments and the Unity of the Spirit
Ephesians 4:4 requires every Christian to endeavor to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This exhortation assumes that Christian unity… Read More »Institutional Alignments and the Unity of the Spirit
The IARBC
The Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches has entered its ninth decade. Messengers from its 90 churches gathered in Nevada, Iowa on April 13-14. I… Read More »The IARBC
The God Ask: A Fresh, Biblical Approach to Personal Support Raising: A Review Article, Part 2
Jeff Straub Last week, I began to evalutate Steve Shadrach’s book on raising ministry support, The God Ask. It is a how-to manual for Christian… Read More »The God Ask: A Fresh, Biblical Approach to Personal Support Raising: A Review Article, Part 2
The God Ask: A Fresh, Biblical Approach to Personal Support Raising: A Review Article, Part 1
This week and next, I want to interact with a recent book that has some bearing on the discussion we have been having over the… Read More »The God Ask: A Fresh, Biblical Approach to Personal Support Raising: A Review Article, Part 1
How to Have a Missions-Minded Church, Part 4: Raising the Missions Consciousness of the Church
Jeff Straub All churches should be growing in their commitment to fulfill the Great Commission, and having a missions-minded church is one way to increase… Read More »How to Have a Missions-Minded Church, Part 4: Raising the Missions Consciousness of the Church
How to Have a Missions-Minded Church, Part 3: More on Finances
The work of ministry on any significant scale requires resources. This is especially true of the work of missions. Nearly every country that admits missionaries… Read More »How to Have a Missions-Minded Church, Part 3: More on Finances
How to Have a Missions-Minded Church: Financial Support
Jeff Straub Last week, I began to offer some advice to help churches become more missions-minded. My first counsel was that the pastor must himself… Read More »How to Have a Missions-Minded Church: Financial Support
How to Have a Missions-Minded Church: The Pastor
Jeff Straub Seminary professors who come to the classroom with missionary and pastoral experience can offer immense practical value to men preparing for ministry. I… Read More »How to Have a Missions-Minded Church: The Pastor