Christmas Eve worship is one of the most beautiful and inspiring times in the life of a congregation and in the ministry of a pastor. The service may be seen by the pastor as challenging because everyone knows that you are going to say something about Continue Reading
November 4, 2010
Now What? Some thoughts after the Election on Lessons and Expectations
On the other side of the election, what can we learn? What can we expect? For the believer, our lessons and our expectations are grounded in the Word of the Lord. Our hope for our nation is grounded not in electoral victories, but in "victory in Jesus" Continue Reading
September 14, 2010
Peter’s Recommitment and Ours: A Message to Army Chaplains about Loving Our Vocation
A message given at the opening of the Chief of Chaplains’ Preaching Conference, September 13, 2010 at the US Army Chaplain Center and School, Ft. Jackson, SC John 21.1-22 It is customary to begin a relationship like this by saying, “I am honored to Continue Reading
August 24, 2010
The Blessings of Being in Seminary
The following message was delivered at New Student Orientation, on August 23, at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC Seminary: A Ministry of Preparation Recently I participated in the ordination of a young man to the Gospel ministry, to pastor a Continue Reading
July 29, 2010
Thinking about the Cedar Falls Bible Conference, Willa Cather and Ha Erets
This summer I’m preaching at the annual Cedar Falls Bible Conference in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They hold it at a campground just like they’ve been doing since the turn of the last century. Some of the same families who were there when these hearty, godly Continue Reading
May 27, 2010 Leave a Comment
Why I am a Pentecost(al) Presbyterian
I read the following story this week: “Erasmus, the famous Renaissance scholar, once told a classic story which was designed to emphasize how important it is that we take up the torch of Christ’s ministry with great commitment. In the story, Jesus Continue Reading
July 25, 2008
When Your Creed Cracks, Your Code Crumbles
The worldwide Anglican Communion is meeting at Lambeth. The controversies over the ordination of a homosexual to bishop in the Episcopal Church US are threatening to fracture that Communion. Meanwhile, the African bishops and other evangelicals around the Continue Reading
July 25, 2008
When Your Creed Cracks, Your Code Crumbles
The worldwide Anglican Communion is meeting at Lambeth. The controversies over the ordination of a homosexual to bishop in the Episcopal Church US are threatening to fracture that Communion. Meanwhile, the African bishops and other evangelicals around the Continue Reading
February 6, 2008
The Secret Life of a Seminary President: Reflections on Ash Wednesday
Introduction to the ReadingYou have heard the old adage, "I must catch up with the others for I am their leader. Well that is the way that I feel. I sat at my desk yesterday and thought, "Well I am the president...so, now what do I do..." I doubt that is Continue Reading
