Free E-Book for You (or a Friend)
Most of you probably did not get up this morning thinking, "I really need to find some good material on leadership in the church!" That is the topic of this free e-book, so let me tell you two things before you tune out.
1) It is important for believers who are not paid or educated for ministry to provide leadership in their church.
Often the overall direction of the church is not determined by pastors, but by the people who appoint pastors and establish policy. Unfortunately, many are sitting back and allowing the pastors to make all the decisions.
You, or someone you know, may be in a position to provide important leadership in your church, even if you are not a pastor or elder. This free e-book can be a useful tool in trying to understand what the Bible says about pastors or elders.
2) You might know someone who is interested in the topic of leadership in the church, so please pass this on to them.
There is a significant movement of people leaving the church, but it is not because they are losing their faith; they are disenchanted with the church. Some are asking questions about how we should "do" church. I don't think anyone should leave regular fellowship with a local church (even though it has problems). But we should be asking what the Bible says about church.
There are also many pastors and leaders who are frustrated and are looking for answers. One of many issues about church is leadership. "How should pastors lead?" "Who should be in charge?" "How many pastors (or elders) should there be?" "What are pastors (or elders) responsible for?"
This free e-book attempts to find answers from the Bible for each of these questions and more!
ONE LAST ENCOURAGEMENT: You do not have to read this whole book to find out what you need to know. This is a pdf version of my Ph.D. dissertation and is therefore quite detailed.
You might want to start with the conclusion and dig in where it seems interesting.
Here is an excerpt from the conclusion:
"That elders in sin are to be confronted demonstrates that the church is not to submit to their leaders blindly. Instead, they are to follow as those who are persuaded (Heb 13:17). Elders and leaders who teach twisted things are not to be tolerated (Acts 20:29–31; Titus 1:9–16). The ultimate basis of the authority of an elder, therefore, is not his office or his authorization to lead and teach. The basis for his authority is the alignment of his life and teaching with the truth of God’s word. While elders have authority de jure of position and responsibility, the primary authority that elders exercise in the community is authority de facto of influence based on sound teaching, wise leadership, and godly character."
Defeat Satan - Be a Mother [Podcast #8]
Satan has launched a historical, worldwide attack against motherhood. Why? What's the big deal? And why does Paul mention Satan several times in his writings about women? Find out in episode 8 of the Truth to Freedom Podcast.
Defeat Satan - Be a Mother Notes
- In general, God intends for women to be mothers (Gen 1:27-28b; 1 Tim 5:10, 16; Titus 2:4-5).
- When women live out their role as mothers, they are less vulnerable to the attacks of Satan (Titus 2:5; Gen 3).
How Can We Know God's Will for Our Lives? [Podcast #7]
Do you know God's will for your life? Do you want to? Do you know how to find out what it is?
In episode seven of the Truth to Freedom Podcast, I address the topic of knowing God's will. It is part of the How to Be Happy series. In the podcast I refer to a series I did several years ago on Discerning the Will of God. As you read this outline, keep in mind that, aside from God's Word, none of these means should stand alone.
1. We can discern God’s will by surrendering our lives to him (Rom 12:1-2; John 4:34; 5:30, 39-40; 6:38; 7:16-17; Luke 9:23-25).
2. We can discern God’s will by studying Scripture (Psalm 19:7-11; 1 Thess 4:1-6; 2 Tim 3:16-17).
3. We can discern God’s will by seeking him in prayer (Phil 4:6-7; 1 John 5:14-15; Jer 29:11-13; James 4:2b).
4. We can discern God’s will by waiting for him to lead us (Ps 25:4-5; 106:13).
5. We can discern God’s will by the testimony of the Spirit.
a. The Spirit has a ministry of witnessing to truth (Acts 5:32; 20:23; Rom 8:16; John 15:26; 16:7-11).
b. When we trust and walk with God, there is peace (Isa 26:3-4; Phil 4:6-9).6. We can discern God’s will by observing our personal desires, convictions, and abilities (1 Cor 7:8-9, 36-38; Ex 25:2; 2 Thess 3:5; 1 Cor 12:4-7, 11).
7. We can discern God’s will by observing God’s work in our circumstances (James 4:13-17; 1 Kings 12:15; 1 Cor 16:8-9; 1 Pet 3:17; 4:19).
8. We can know God’s will by listening to the counsel of the church (Matt 18:15-17; Heb 13:17; 1 Cor 12:4-20; 14:29-33; Prov 15:22)
9. We can know God’s will by reasoning and testing (Prov 14:15; Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 1:20-21; 2:4; 4:6; 10:15; 14:; Acts 17:2, 11, 17; 1 John 4:1-6; James 3:17).
10. We can know God’s will by revelations and signs (Acts 8:26; 22:17-18; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Gal 1:8).
Biblical Truth on Comedy Central
Well, sort of.
In this skit, Katherine feels helpless. She is afraid and believes that she can't do anything about it. Bob gives her a very simple answer, "Stop it!" But this is too simple for Katherine. For her, it is more complicated than that. She believes she is a victim of her thoughts, her childhood, her parents, her dreams. Bob says, "We don't go there."
In a way, Bob is right. Often Christians believe that they are helpless in the face of their emotions and desires, or even their sin. We over complicate the situation because we don't understand or believe who we are in Christ. Listen to what Paul tells the Roman believers:
"We know that our old self was crucified with Christ . . .
So that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
So you must consider yourselves dead to sin.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness."
- Parts of Rom 6:6, 11-13
In a sense, Paul says, "Stop it!" We must understand that Christ has set us free from sin and act on it. Our desires cannot rule over us. Our past cannot determine our future. What others say and think cannot keep us down.
Are you still living in bondage to the sin from which Christ has already set you free! Believe that Christ has set you free and stop it!
How to Have a Clear Conscience [Podcast #6]
One important way to be happy is to have a clear conscience. When we are carrying guilt or sin, we are not happy. We are not peaceful and free. That is why the forgiveness that Jesus extends to us through his death is so precious. Forgiveness! Are you enjoying forgiveness and a clear conscience? Learn how in episode 006 of the Truth to Freedom Podcast.
Fun Family Time, Great Food, and Home School Encouragement
Coming up at Cherokee Cove is the annual Home School Family Camp Out. Go HERE to see more details about this event and sign up today!
I will be teaching on the following two topics in four sessions:
How to Stop the Fighting in Your Home
Are you fed up with the ugly talk and fighting in your home? Amazingly, it is easier to be polite and patient with those outside the family than those we love the most! A major part of preparing our children for life is teaching them how to interact with others. In this session, we will apply biblical conflict resolution principles to the relationships in your home. You will receive practical tools for how to teach your children to handle conflict (and how to practice it yourself!).
How to Help Your Children Become Self-Motivated
Are you tired of working so hard to get your child to do their work or make the right choices? When will they be self-motivated? How can you help them develop this? Discipline is when parents provide external motivation for right choices (which is a necessary part of the process). Discipleship is when parents help children develop their own motivation for making the right choices because of their love for Christ. In this session, we will discuss how to make the difficult transition from discipline to discipleship. You will receive practical tips on helping your child develop godly self-motivation.
My 4th Grade Goals, Continued
Here are the life goals I wrote when I was in the 4th grade:
1. Teach as much people about God.
2. Learn as much as I can about talking in front of other people.
3. Raise a good family.
4. Try to learn as much Scripture as I can.
I already gave the back-story of my 4th grade life goals HERE and explained the present significance of the first two. Now I want to explain the last two.
I want to raise a good family.
Again, it is amazing to me how the importance of family has developed as a significant theme in my life. It started with my own family. I grew up believing and experiencing that family is important.
My conviction deepened as I spent many years in youth ministry. I observed the spiritual maturity of young people and the fragmentation of the family unit. Many families were not unified and many parents were not taking any responsibility in training their children in the Lord. A desire was born in me to minister to the whole family, and especially parents, equipping them to disciple their children.
Then Dana and I started our own family. Wow, what a privilege and responsibility! We quickly came to the conclusion that the general attitude of our culture was not the way God views children. Children are a blessing, not a liability, an expense, or a burden. Having children and passing faith to them is a central part of God’s program. While we are not opposed to birth control, we have taken that program pretty seriously and now have nine children. Our calling now is to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, teaching them to love God.
Back row from left: Caleb (13), Dana holding Andrew, Matthew holding Isaac (2), Bethany (14).
Middle row: Nathaniel (7), Josiah (11), Hannah (10). Front: Kathryn (6), Samantha Ruby (3).
We also have had the privilege of helping to start a family integrated church in Boone, NC. A family integrated church is one in which there are no nurseries or classes for children to go to. The whole family worships together all morning. It hasn’t always been easy, and it certainly isn’t always quiet, but we love worshipping and learning together! The children get to be observers and real participants in the function of the church family and the parents are given the primary responsibility of leading and teaching their children.
I want to learn as much Scripture as I can.
My parents taught me to memorize and study God’s Word. My Dad taught me to teach God’s Word. My second master’s degree and Ph.D. are in Biblical Studies with a focus in New Testament. I love memorizing, studying, and teaching the Scripture. And there is still so much to learn!
God’s Word is how we learn the truth that sets us free. That is the entire purpose of my ministry:
I hope you can see now why this little paper, written 32 years ago, is so amazing to me. Not long after I gave my life Christ, he began to put in my heart his own desires for me.
“Not that I have already attained all this,
or have already been made perfect,
but I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Phil 3:12