Clement writes a letter condemning the sin of envy that was manifesting itself in the church in Corinth in the form of ministers being kicked out of office. Clement writes a treatise against envy that is relevant in a multitude of situations. ...
Keep ReadingI read of a Southern Baptist Church in Florida which is growing through an internet membership. Despite concerns that those who are members via internet will not be able to really connect with the church, Flamingo Road Church is determined to make it work. They insist that they are, indeed, "faithful members" who interact with the church by watching videos and through onli...
Keep ReadingWhat happens when someone argues that their own private times with God are more important than corporate gatherings of the church as a whole?Each of us, I'm sure, have heard those who have questioned the necessity of corporate worship, thinking that it is less "spiritual" than their own private times of reading and meditation.Well, R. Scott Clark, professor of Church Histo...
Keep ReadingThe following comes from some of the notes from a membership class I did at a church plant in Virginia. It borrows heavily from the membership class of Capital Hill Baptist. First a consideration of "membership" in the Bible. There is no denying that the word "membership" is not in the Bible. However, the concept of church membership is certainly implied. How so? Whe...
Keep Reading"Let deacons each be the husband of one wife." 1 Timothy 3:12 In a discussion which followed the nomination of a single man to the office of deacon in our church, a comment was jokingly made concerning whether or not he would have a wife in time for the vote and if she would, indeed, be dignified (1 Tim. 3:11). While the comments were made in good fun, they do present a s...
Keep ReadingFormal on-campus seminary training has an honorable past and tradition and my desire is not to take away from that history. However, I believe that with the good that seminaries have provided, there have been negative unintended consequences for the local church. In an age of online training, I believe that new opportunities have opened up for local churches undertake thei...
Keep ReadingScripturally, the local church should be ruled by a plurality of elders (James 5:14 and Acts 14:23) who have been set apart by the Holy Spirit to oversee and care for it (Acts 20:28). The fact that they are set apart by the Holy Spirit emphasizes the fact that they are not the head of the church, God is. Specifically, we are told that Christ is the head of the church (Eph....
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