As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“… there has been an increasingly strident debate going on around the issue of sanctification. The differences were doctrinal and probably even more matters of pastoral practice and wisdom” CToday
From Sunesis. Posted with permission. Read the series so far.
The postmodern church began as a reaction to the megachurch movement and the impersonality of the big churches. The emerging churches all started small and promoted the superiority of their smallness. That is not heard so much anymore, now that some emerging churches have become the next megachurches. Some of the postmodern church members and leaders may not be believers; this is obvious as you look at some of their beliefs. There are, however, some believing postmoderns; there should and could be many more. Most postmoderns are outside any type of church. We have a great opportunity to evangelize them.
Postmoderns like groups, and there is much to be said for the use of small groups in reaching the postmodernist. Those who are truly postmodern still value the group and the group mentality. Small group Sunday Schools (perhaps too formal for some postmoderns) and home-based small groups (more inviting for the postmodern) can be used effectively to reach this group (and moderns, as well).
“None of the powers that be, however, ever mentioned anything to me … before Thursday when I was simply told that the transition needed to happen now.” I’ve Come to Set the Captives Free
I’d appreciate any suggestions you folks have on a basic discipleship book to walk new converts through. I was very disappointed to see that Regular Baptist Press doesn’t have hardly anything in this area! I’d prefer something dispensational and Baptist, but I fear that criteria is too narrow! Feel free to throw anything out there that you have found useful; I can tailor it as necessary.
Thanks very much!
“Are Millennials evangelizing more or less than previous generations? What is the future of evangelism?” CT
“The craft of communicating with speech and writing requires words, so if that’s your craft, you’ll want to develop your ability to use words well.” Andy Naselli, Thoughts on Theology
“Engaging the culture” has become one of the biggest buzz phrases in American Christianity today. The idea of seeking new and better ways to connect with unbelievers so that we can more easily give them the gospel is currently enjoying immense popularity. But what if as a result Christians in America have become more interested in engaging the culture than evangelizing it?
Take Lecrae for example. Christianity’s most famous rapper has recently made waves with his new stand on producing music. Ignoring for our purposes the debate over Christian rap, I think it his new philosophy models much of what is common thinking among Christians today. Lecrae has changed his lyrics from being explicit gospel presentations to a more subtle message of Christianity in his music. As one blog put it:
Rather than preach to his listeners, Lecrae aims to form a common ground. He will not share the gospel in every song, but he’ll address issues which relate to everyone. This allows him to reach a broader audience with the gospel when he feels God give him the green light. Even when Lecrae is writing about non-religious cultural issues, he’s still doing so with a Christian worldview.
The idea of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day does not originate in the Bible, although the idea of honoring parents does. Does your pastor (or you, if you happen to be a pastor) preach on those subjects when the particular holidays are at hand?
Poll Results
Do you (or your pastor) preach on Motherhood (or a mother) & Fatherhood (or a father) on respective holidays?
Discussion