Accountability Therapy?

by | Aug 8, 2006 | Christian Living

Between Two Worlds: Accountability Groups Justin Taylor points to a great article exposing some of the dangers of and a good approach to accountability groups. I would hope that my relationship to my wife and my fellow pastors is one that prods me to greater holiness and accountability before the Lord.  I’m not sure we are as deliberate as the article suggest. Anyone out there in a deliberate accountability group – what have been the benefits and...

I Married Late – Glad I Waited

by | Aug 7, 2006 | Culture, Marriage and Family

Men Marrying Late — Or Not At All Actually, I was 31 when I was married – five years ago this coming September. I suppose that is not late according to th NY Times article quoted by Dr. Mohler. In fact, I give credit to Dr. Mohler for my proposing to my wife when I did. Dr. Mohler was the commencement speaker when I graduated with my MDiv. from The Master’s Seminary (2001). He graciously agreed to speak to a group of Southern Baptist pastors the next morning and take a few questions. I don’t remember how it got started, but Dr. Mohler began to bag on “single pastors” – of which I was one and had been for about fourteen years at that point. He began his tirade about how a man could not be an effective shepherd as a single man. I didn’t take it so well. He even tried to quote Scripture in indicating that an overseer should be “the husband of one wife.” He did stop a little short in that conversation in demanding that pastors have children in order to be qualified. Yet, what was a single, presumably ineffective pastor, fresh with his MDiv. to do? Well, it was easy for me. That night, with fresh motivation (who can or should buck the wisdom of a man like Mohler), I proposed to the woman who is now my wife. Three months later we were married. Five years later – I’m still glad I waited until I was old. I suppose I should say that I was already planning to propose to Kelly that evening....

The Criswell Era is Over

by | Aug 4, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues

W.A. Criswell’s widow, Betty, dies at 93 – (BP) No end of the speculation and conjecture could be reached as long as Mrs. C. remained alive and influential at FBC Dallas.  Three + pastors following the great pulpiteer, W.A. Criswell, the church may now be able to find a man to shepherd the...

Blogging and Influence

by | Aug 4, 2006 | Blogging

Challies Dot Com: Influential Bloggers Always thoughtful and measured – one of the most influential bloggers (regardless of how you define influence), Tim Challies writes on the influence of blogging.  What makes for an influential blog?  Tim has some good points.  Too bad I make no use of...