Western participation in foreign missions is changing as more and more nationals take the helm, often supervised and supported by western missionaries who do not necessarily remain on the field. With computers and the internet, limited access to certain nations, and missions that help train nationals, we are living in changing times. But will we still see many missionaries from the west on the field, in addition to these new innovations? What is your opinion and/or experience?

It seems more and more pastors in our area have no professional training. Some are high school grads who can speak well and know their Bibles. Mega-churches often train their own staffs perhaps in conjunction with online classes.

Is this trend increasing, especially with the pastor shortage (if you believe it exists, as I do) in conservative churches? Please comment to add depth to the poll, if you wish.

Are conservative, Bible-oriented churches too driven (by and large), in your opinion. Or is the problem occasional here and there. Or is it a problem?

If you want an example of what I mean by “driven,” think of Amway or some other agency that depends upon motivational techniques and pressure.

Most of us would say that if you truly have turned from your sin and trusted in the work of Jesus Christ for your salvation, you will definitely be saved.

But how can your be sure that your faith is genuine? There lies the issue.

Many of us were told, based upon I John 5:13, that we could and should be sure we are saved. I believe there is merit in such an application. Yet, at the same time, “these things” refers to the evidences of genuine conversion John has just mentioned in his letter.

Okay, we assume “It Depends.” But, beyond that, for most Christians today in the western culture, what is a realistic perspective? Every church has its party line about attendance and the relationship of the official schedule and what good Christians are expected to do regarding that schedule.

We are not talking about baseball teams, Women’s Bible studies, or special concerts or fundraisers. We are not talking about showers, weddings, or funerals or Good Friday, but the regular weekly routine.

Aged baby boomers introduce choruses from the 1990’s as contemporary choruses. Are they right? The term is quite relative. Compared to the hymns of Isaac Watts, for example, they are contemporary. But only relatively so, IMO.

Others use the term as a code word for “rock” or “light rock,” which, at one time, was a taboo word in much of the evangelical world at large (esp. Baptists).

So when you hear the term, how do you interpret it?

Your comments make polls more interesting, so please feel free to opine.

I have friends who are Plymouth Brethren, and they will not allow a woman to ask questions in a Bible study based upon one of the passages below. Although I do not quite interpret things the same way they do, I respect them because they are trying to let the Bible, not the culture, dictate their beliefs.

What is your view on this matter? The trend toward shorter sermons and more music has not caught on everywhere. Likewise, many pastors still preach expository sermons that dig deeply into the Word, as well as well-studied topical sermons that are grounded in Scripture. In some churches, the Scriptures are read with little meaning, and texts are never expounded. Others emphasize theology and church history, but do so at the expense of actual Bible content. What are your views on the matter? All the aspects of a service matter, but do they matter equally? What is your view?

I have only pastored two churches, and neither had a budget (but we did have spending limits in certain categories). One was a small church of about 45, the other not as small (about 200 for at least a decade of my time there). My last church didn’t have a loan for over 25 years and both churches stayed in the black.

Of course, a lot of things factor into this, like buildings that were paid off, etc. I know of a Christian organization that did well financially until they got a budget.

Paul wrote (NKJV)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

I chose the NKJV because it retains the word “carnal,” and the term “carnal Christian” was derived from that. So do genuinely carnal Christians exist? Or are these new believers who haven’t progressed much? Or is Paul uncertain about their conversion?

This could tie in with 2 Corinthians 13:5 perhaps?