by Bret Capranica | Apr 6, 2011 | Preaching
Even when preaching the Word of God does not soften and save and heal, it is not necessarily ineffective. This preaching of the Word may be doing God’s terrible work of judgment. It may be hardening people, and making their ears so dull that they will never want to hear again. . . . Don’t be cavalier in the hearing of God’s Word week after week. If it is not softening and saving and healing and bearing fruit, it is probably hardening and blinding and dulling. John Piper, “Take Care How You Listen,” Part 1, Part 2 – quoted in Expository Listening, Ken...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 6, 2011 | Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Mid-Week Minutes 4-6-11 from Summit Woods on...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 2, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Presidential History, Time/Life Management
What should an ordinary pastor glean from how the President”™s office was organized and functioned? The pastorate is not a political machine like the White House, so many issues are simply inappropriate and unnecessary. But I can find a number of helpful points to consider when thinking through how a pastor should think about how to make the best use of his time. A pastor can”™t run ministry on his own, but needs key and capable people to rely upon. The biblical principle of eldership indicates that no one man should be directing the affairs of the church. Qualified and capable men who can collectively oversee the church”™s ministry are needed. Ephesians 4:11-16 is a great picture of every part of the body doing its share, with pastors assuming one key role ““ that of equipping others to carry out the ministry. We need some regular (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual) time to think, write, plan, pray, and rest. Otherwise, a pastor”™s time will be reactive rather than proactive; he will lose focus on what is most important for the whole of the church because he is caught up in putting out immediate fires, and he will mentally and emotionally wear himself out from trying to keep up with every conceivable issue beyond his control. Trust and focus are key commodities in how we work with staff around us. Written plans culled and vetted by key staff as opposed to spur-of-the-moment conversations with innumerable personalities provides a more proactive, and thoughtful approach to advancing ministry objectives. Ministry needs to be thought through. What are the biblical parameters and implications...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 2, 2011 | Twitter
Biggest earth quake I've felt in CA. Looooong! First time we all ran outside. # @temek85 did you and Jaron pick one up together? OK, you're obligated to show me! in reply to temek85 # Home from an enjoyable evening of Q&A with the church. Good fellowship among God's people. Thankful for our folks love for God's Word. # Sick. # RT @drmoore: Michael Spencer, the Internet Monk, RIP http://bit.ly/bmMiAT . (via @mattleeanderson) # My precious friend, Kin Gibbs, passed away earlier this evening. God used him to spark a revival in me & a small church in Texas years ago. # RT @HarrisJosh: Dear Steve Jobs…http://bit.ly/bzx992 # @walterprice praying for you. Great that you can Tweet your time there. in reply to walterprice # RT @Phil_Johnson_: "The Preaching of John MacArthur," by Hughes Oliphant Old. Book excerpt at the blog: http://bit.ly/byxIpH # @temek85 I just couldn't find the purpose in Buzz over Twitter. Why did you like it more? in reply to temek85 # @temek85 what did you like about buzz above Twitter? in reply to temek85 # Trying to go to sleep; not doing so well. Have to be up in a few hours to leave for TX. # @12hourhalfday thanks Brian. It's been fun trying to live it out. in reply to 12hourhalfday # At the Ontario Airport about to board for TX. # Was just hapily reminded of Phoenix's rebellion against daylight savings time. Whew! We are not late for our connection. # RT @ThomRainer: New blog post "Pastors and Time" http://www.ThomRainer.com # Any guesses where we are? http://ow.ly/i/10K1 # Honey-child, we ain't in Cali...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 1, 2011 | Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Carefully Think Think back on the series we have done on worship and write down how you would answer the question ““ “what defines genuine biblical worship?” What did Jesus mean by “Spirit and truth” in John 4:24? How did you come up with that answer? How does that answer fit with what Jesus and the woman at the well were discussing in the surrounding context? Read through Ephesians 5:18-19. What is the connection between being filled with the Spirit and singing? In addition to edifying one another and adoring God, what other elements about singing do you find addressed in Ephesians 5:19? Prayerfully Meditate Throughout the series on worship, what has been the most impactful truth for you personally? Why? How has your thinking about music changed, been reaffirmed, or been enhanced by thinking through Revelation 4 & 5 and Ephesians 5:19? Consider what “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” means and how it should affect your singing when the body of Christ gathers. We all have personal preferences when it comes to singing. List what yours are. What Scriptures would you associate with those preferences? Read through Philippians 2. How would this passage impact the way we view preferential issues in regard to music? Actively Respond Read through Revelation 4 & 5 again and reflect on how these passages should enhance the way you think about our public gatherings on Sunday. Read through Ephesians 5:18-19 with your family and discuss how these verses should impact you when you gather with God”™s people and sing this Sunday. Pray for those who will be leading...
