Recently I interacted on a blog where an assertion was made that rap music is sinful. No one would mistake me for a rap artist or aficionado. However, the charge that rap music is sinful is silly and biblically indefensible. Rap music may offend the cultural sensitivities of some and not always be the best Read more

We are committed to sound theological and practical training and have a burden for urban church planting. We do not think that everyone in Christian ministry must go to seminary or plant urban churches. At times seminary training may not be an option. However, in most cases, for pastors and church planters, it is advisable Read more

I'm spending a lot of time in prison lately (more about that later) and am posting my brother's blogs which of course I believe are excellent. Here's an excerpt. "The themes of promise, suffering, and deliverance are gospel themes repeated throughout Scripture. Faith in God’s promise is often tested in suffering and suffering is often Read more

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the ATC conference in Lansdale. One of my pastor friends expressed surprise in seeing me after having read a previous blog that I wrote about the value of conferences. I reminded him that I concluded the blog with an “I’ll see you in the hallway.”

The hearts of city dwellers cry out for redemption. On the surface it is often a cry for a Moses-like redeemer who can deliver them from their existential despair often magnified in urban living. Sometimes religion becomes the futile redeemer in its attempts to address this despair. Others seek to remedy their condition in the Read more

No, it's not what or who you think! I may interact robustly with some of my friends but they are friends, not stooges. I received this email invitation for the National Young Fundamentalist Conference. Unbelievable! I thought it was a spoof but it seems to be a real conference. Can someone tell me it isn't so? Granted it is Read more

After my recent blog on the value of conferences a friend asked me about my anti-conference posting (although he agreed with me). Actually I’m not anti-conference but simply relativizing their value. When the experts speak who have already written on the subject, I’m not sure much more is accomplished by hearing them speak about what Read more

I recently commented on Mark Snoeberger’s blog that I was appalled that he had preached five messages from the Old Testament and only mentioned Christ in one.  Maybe “appalled” was a little strong and since Mark is not a pastor it may not be five messages over a five-week period in the same church. So Read more

          I’ve attended many conferences over the years designed to help pastors succeed in their ministry. At first I went to learn from the experts the secrets to success in church planting and pastoral ministry.  Though I have always appreciated a carefully crafted message from the Bible, I soon became weary of experts who lived Read more

I realized long ago that I am one of those messed up missionaries, or former missionary in my case. Over a decade in France and Romania ruined me for ministry in the US, at least in closed circles in which I ran. When our family returned stateside, I knew I could not pastor a church Read more