We do not have an exhaustive list of gifts of the the Spirit in the Bible, but we do have a lot of them. These gifts are sovereignly distributed by the Spirit for the common good and edification of the church. When each member is working properly, the body grows and is built up in [...]
Archive for the ‘I Love the Local Church’ category
Spiritual Gifts Inform Us of Our Neediness
February 28, 2012My Song in the Night – New Website of Bobby Gilles
September 20, 2011Bobby Gilles is one of the most gifted and effective communicators I know. He is an accomplished songwriter and story teller and heads up the very impressive communications team of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, KY. I have had the privilege in recent years to get to know Bobby and benefit from his work. Specifically, [...]
More Thoughts on Sermon Manuscripts
September 9, 2011Since my last post, I have enjoyed considerable feedback on the use of a full manuscript in preaching. I thought I’d comment on some of the questions I’ve been asked, including practical inquiries. 1. Preaching from a full MSS is not for everyone. But even if it is not for everyone, I would argue that [...]
Preaching, Manuscripts, and Fraternal Critique
September 6, 2011“Pharaoh, let my people go!” That’s a joke my mother uses on occasion with my friends regarding my first sermon preached. Admittedly, it was not that great, and I did preach everything I knew in the Bible in one sermon. Prior to coming to Grace, I had eight years of Bible college and seminary training [...]
When the Bible Calls You Stupid
June 8, 2011This past Sunday, I taught our congregation on the profitability of God’s Word from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Apostle Paul brings out four categories where Scripture is profitable for the believer: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. The first two categories address Scripture being profitable for our beliefs (orthodoxy), and the latter two address [...]
Honoring a Faithful Shepherd
June 2, 2011Last night, I had the privilege of joining my church family in honoring Tom Ascol on his 25th anniversary as pastor of Grace Baptist Church. The evening was spent with members sharing stories and testimonies of how God has impacted their lives through Pastor Tom, and I began it with a few words about the [...]
The Places and Purposes of My Work
March 18, 2011Yesterday afternoon, I was discussing with a few guys on Twitter how and where we spend our time working. When I came to Grace nearly three years ago, there was no “office” space for me at the church building, which meant that I was to do the majority of my work either at home or [...]
Life Offline
October 26, 2010For the past 2.5 years, I have been serving as a pastor of Grace Baptist Church. I have not blogged much about my church or my role as a pastor (other than the kingly administration stuff). It has been an incredible journey so far, and I am loving being a church that is “reformed and [...]
The Transfer of the Gospel
October 25, 2010On October 3, our church launched our first daughter church. It was a great moment as we have worked over the past two years to transition into being a church planting church. I had the privilege of preaching at Grace that morning, and in light of the launch of our first daughter church, I decided [...]
Monday is for “kingly” administration: The Assimilation Process, Part 2 (Attenders – New Christians)
May 11, 2010I know today is not Monday, so I apologize for this post being a little late. Last week, I took up part one in the assimilation process, focusing on first-time guests. After people visit for the first time, there is typically an in between period where they are no longer new but also not in [...]
21 Questions I’ve Been Asking (Myself) Lately
February 17, 2010Several of you will find these questions familiar, but their familiarity does not minimize the piercing factor for this pastor. I wanted to put them out there in case others might find them helpful. 1. If our church would cease to exist in our city, would it be noticed and missed? 2. If all the [...]
Leadership Retreat Feedback
September 5, 2009This past week, the pastors of Grace hunkered down for three days for our leadership retreat. Just a couple of days out of it, the meetings are still fresh on my mind. I think we all agreed that it was really productive, but I also believe it can always improve and be done better. I [...]
Own Your Weaknesses
August 10, 2009During our evening service yesterday, Tom Ascol shared with the Grace family his reflections over the past 20+ years, addressing the strengths, weaknesses, and prospects for the future. What struck me in particular was the sincerity and humility of heart exhibited in addressing the weaknesses where Tom confessed his fingerprints over the areas where the [...]
The Pastor Shuffle
March 19, 2012Yesterday morning, I was getting ready to preach at our daughter church (Providence Church), when this crazy idea came to my mind. You see, also yesterday morning at Grace, Jamin Stinziano who is a pastor of Summit Church (in Estero, FL) brought the word. So a Grace pastor was at Providence, and a Summit pastor [...]
Categories: I Love the Local Church, Personal Commentary
Tags: Jesus, Kingdom, The Pastor Shuffle
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