It’s a question discussed in seminary classes and missiological circles. Profs and students exchange views and opinions. Mission committees and sending agencies share their stances. The question? “Is Christ’s return contingent upon the completion of the Great Commission?” My short answer: Yes, it was. Let … Read More
More Than a New Year is Next
With 2021 just around the corner, many are most likely looking forward to new things. Perhaps some will be setting new goals; others may be excited about a new start; for sure many are anxious about a new vaccine. Yes, a new year is expected … Read More
Our Perfect Sympathizer and Savior
The mystery and miracle of the incarnation is a wondrous truth that is essential to our faith. Like the Trinity, however, it is hard to find ways to illustrate it well. Perhaps John Howard Griffin’s memoir Black Like Me will give us a small bit … Read More
Pray for BOB
The Apostle Paul urged his fellow believers to pray for BOB. Not, not Bob, as in a person, but for BOB, as in an acronym. With either apologies or congratulations to those reading this named Bob, consider these three ways Paul exhorted us to pray. … Read More
Where Thankfulness Begins
Tomorrow, the vast majority of people in our nation will take intentional time to be thankful. Yes, Thanksgiving is the holiday we’ll celebrate, and gratefulness is the action we’ll take. But how does one go about being thankful? In short, by being thinkful. This is … Read More
The Great Scope of the Great Commission
A grammatically close look at Matthew’s account of the Great Commission reveals there’s really one verb in play: make disciples. This is modified by something quite important, however: of all nations. Here really is the core mandate of the Great Commission: spiritual reproduction without ethnic … Read More
Is it Missions or Mission?
The primary marching order for the church, the Great Commission, was given by Jesus and is recorded in all four of the Gospels as well as in Acts. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the … Read More
Christ’s Last Words, Our First Concern
Over the next few weeks, I intend to post excerpts from a booklet I recently wrote for our church, a publication I subtitled “a little booklet about a big deal.” The big deal? Christ’s last words. Of course, we commonly know those last words as … Read More
Election Questions I Doubt Any Candidate Will Attempt to Answer
Okay, I admit it. I teased you with the title. This post has nothing to do with the upcoming election. But don’t stop reading! It does have everything to do with the most important election—God’s! And perhaps today would be a good day for a … Read More
Why I’m Thankful for My Fellow Pastors
One of the reasons I am ardently committed to a plurality of leadership in a local church is because pastors need pastors too. I’ve written about it before, and this month (Pastor Appreciation Month) is a prime opportunity to express specific reasons I am thankful … Read More