New book and Other Writings
In this season of life (65 in October) the Lord has given me some time and opportunity to write. My first book was just published in July by Wipf&Stock. “Crossing Cultures: Preparing Strangers for Ministry in Strange Places.” https://wipfandstock.com/crossing-cultures.html I’m biased but I think it would be helpful for prospective missionaries and those sending them, Read more
Sign of Life
It’s hard to believe that five years have passed since I last blogged. I suppose there are many possible reasons. 1. My blog was not that popular, 2. I no longer had time or interest, or both, 3. I didn’t have anything to say. Whatever the case, I thought I would at least give a Read more
The Hubris of Faux Fundamentalists
One of my alma maters recently announced it will be closing after 38 years of training men and women for ministry. Personally I am saddened by its impending closure yet rejoice in how God used and blessed the school. I have not been associated with the seminary for several years and have no special insight Read more
Urban Grace – Church Planting Internships and Partnerships
Have you been praying about urban church planting? This week, March 5-8, Calvary Baptist Seminary is hosting Advancing the Church, a biennial conference which this year features D. A. Carson as keynote speaker. Grace Church of Philly will be among the exhibitors to speak with prospective church planters interested in doing internships in Philadelphia and to meet pastors Read more
Helping “Issue Christians” Move On
Ed Stetzer has a good article on helping "issue Christians" move on. The particular issue in this case was prophecy details. We see this problem not only in churches but on scandal blogs which exist solely to attack other Christians (under the guise of defending the faith of course). The issues and terms (Lordship Salvation, Read more
How Much Can We Disagree on Eschatology?
Recently I was briefly involved in an online discussion regarding Sam Storms’ change in his millennial view from premillennial to amillennial. There have also been recent videos discussing the importance of eschatology in the life of believers and church life. Several years ago Thomas Schreiner changed his view from amillennial to premillennial in his study Read more
Grace Church of Philly – University City Update
We continue to experience God's blessing at Grace Church. Next March will be the 3rd anniversary of Grace Church – University City site in West Philly. We have pretty much outgrown the hall we are renting. We use the same space for our worship services and our fellowship meal each week (see photos). So after the service Read more
Mission Tourism Season Begins
Mission tourism continues to boom even in times of economic crisis. Almost daily I receive emails or hear appeals from individuals, churches, and schools that are preparing for summer “missions trips” to send summer “missionaries” to far flung places to minister to those to whom they cannot speak without an interpreter, to build relationships with Read more
Leakey will be history first
Paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey has predicted the end of skepticism regarding evolution. According to news articles his “family claims to have unearthed ‘much of the existing fossil evidence for human evolution.’" The account of Mark Twain's premature obituary comes to mind. He allegedly commented – "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." Since we’re doing Read more
Homosexual and More
A recent imbroglio in North Carolina has set the blogosphere on fire. The video of a Baptist pastor's solution to getting rid of sexual deviants was applauded by his church and now defended by some church members. His solution was fence them, feed them, forget them. This is a great case for not needing to Read more