Regarding last week’s blog, some asked for an elaboration on how worship has changed our congregation. There are a lot of essential elements to worship described in the New Testament. Prayer, singing, public reading of scripture, teaching/preaching, and observation of the ordinances are just a few. True worship is comprised not just of the elements…
We are all probably very familiar with the narratives of Scripture. If you are a new Christian, the narratives might still be new to you. Over time, they will all become familiar. We love to tell and retell these stories. Familiarity breeds, not contempt in this case, but probably some loss of understanding. In addition,…
I’d like to address an important topic for any preacher: how to apply the text to the contemporary audience. Application scares many pastors, with some asserting that they leave application entirely to the Holy Spirit. While the Holy Spirit is the power behind both the interpretation and application of Scripture, trying to “leave it all…
Red Rocks Baptist Church in Denver hosted our 99th annual FBFI Annual Fellowship meeting. What a tremendous time! I seem to say this every year, “best ever!” — perhaps that is a sign of advancing age and short term memory issues! Nevertheless, our meeting this year was outstanding, from our gracious hosts and their good…
Throughout their history Baptists have been committed to autonomous local churches. Like other Christians, however, they have often noted the value of cooperation and fellowship between churches. A tension has resulted between the principle of independence and the benefit of association. Actual Baptist practice has resulted in a range that has, at one end, radically…
In our fellowship meeting last week Kevin Bauder quoted Peter Masters saying that God is not the audience of our worship, He is the object of our worship. Immediately, I understood this to be true, but over the past few days I have contemplating its implications. Worship has been my “thing” conceptually since I did…
Back when I was a college student I believe I possessed a fairly well developed sense of style. I was certainly no clothes horse. However, whether motivated by trying to fit in with my peers or perhaps hoping to look appealing to young ladies, I was always careful to dress in a way that was…
Great leaders spend their lives pursuing clearly stated goals. William Wilberforce, for example, said, “Almighty God has set before me two great objectives, the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.” I am finishing up a biography on the life of George Müller. He, too, had a clearly stated goal in life.…
To pray for other believers, you may follow Paul’s example. He thanked God for his brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph 1:15-16). He also asked God to give them an understanding spirit (Eph 1:17). First, he prayed that they would increase in understanding the full scope of their calling (Eph 1:18). Then he prayed that…
Tonight at the opening service of the Foundations Baptist Fellowship Annual Fellowship, it was our pleasure to honor Dr. Ed Nelson for his many years of service. Dr. Nelson is 95 years old. He climbed the steps to the podium to offer his thanks, not wanting to wait for a portable mic. Of course, that…