by Bret Capranica | Apr 26, 2006 | Blogging, Ecclesiology
The T4G conference begins today. It was the intention of our pastoral staff to be at this conference, but circumstances did not allow us to attend. So, I will be checking out the multitude of individuals blogging on the conference: Tim Challies, official T4G blogger. Jason Robertson – who is there and should be blogging, it would be sin for him not to Pastor Steve Weaver Marc Heinrich Paul Lamey Paleoevangelical Nick Reddin & Chris Hinton . . . Just to name a few. Give us good posts guys. We will be...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 25, 2006 | Ecclesiology, General Theology
Faith & Practice: Cooperation with Conservative Charismatics? Nathan Busenitz provides a good review of how a cessationist like John MacArthur can comfortably join up with a charismatic like C. J. Mahaney. This is helpful...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 25, 2006 | Culture, Ecclesiology
Ohio Churches’ Political Activities Challenged I’m not one for pushing political activism in and through the church. I certainly believe we need to bring the Word of God to bear on the issues of our day, and I do have certain personal political convictions, but my church is not the forum for supporting specific political candidates and publicly advocating legislative initiatives. Though it is my right and responsibility as a U.S. citizen to be involved in the political process, I have yet to read where Christ indicates such political involvement should be my emphasis through His church. Even with my reservations toward political activism, I do find it facinating to hear the frequent jabs conservative Christians take from the left when they do happen to mention politics from their pulpits. The cry rings out on the nightly news and from the ever talking cable cronies that such churches should have their IRS tax exempt status revoked. So says 56 left leaning Ohio clergy regarding two conservative Christian churches – as well as The Washington Post. O.K. – remove their tax exempt status. But let’s also do it with churches such as The Riverside Church in New York City who bosts of left-wing politicians given politicaly partisan speeches from their elaborate pulpit on a regular basis – a church that seems to exist purely for political purposes. Or how about when Barak Obama was introduced at the Democratic National Convention by his pastor via satelite from the sanctuary of his church with choir members standing behind him, while also publicly endorsing John Kerry for President. I don’t remember any outcries...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 24, 2006 | Church History, Ecclesiology
Historia ecclesiastica: HISTORICAL REFLECTIONS ON BAPTIST ORDINATION Michael Haykin reflects on ordination from a historically Baptist...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 21, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry
Challies Dot Com: Training For The Ministry Tim Challies writes on training for ministry. I agree with his assessment for the need for formal ministry training. He notes that we live in a day that tends to eschew formal theological training. I would say that we have lived in such a day for many moons in this country. Among Baptists of most flavors, formal training, from my own experience, has been strongly recommended, but certainly not required. The early ministry of Baptists in pioneer areas in the western U.S. did not necessarily require theological degrees of its preachers. It did require being sent by a local church who recognized the man’s call and giftedness, but not necessarily a degree. I would assume this was true of some other evangelical groups that were evangelizing the unconqurered...
by Bret Capranica | Apr 20, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry
Here are a few more thoughts regarding training for pastoral ministry (Note past articles HERE and HERE). In a few previous posts, I suggested that the local church was essential for adequate formal pastoral training. I don’t think local church involvement in formal theological training is merely a good idea. I believe it is essential. In other words, if all one has received is a degree from a formal theological institution without specific input, accountability, involvement and approval from a local church, more than likely, he is not ready to begin serving as a pastor. As I have stated before, I am pro-academy when it comes to theological training. There are areas of ministry of which the academy can train to a deeper degree than the local church. However, in my estimation, the number of such areas is few. Just to throw a few more bones out to gnaw on, I want to propose some areas of ministry training that the academy can serve best and those they can not and should not assume for themselves: WHAT THE ACADEMY DOES BEST Training in the biblical languages. Use of the biblical languages in the details of exegesis. Equipping a student for a ministry of professional scholarship (a teacher in a theological institution). Providing an environment of concentrated study and academic evaluation. WHAT THE ACADEMY IS NOT DESIGNED TO DO Determine if a man is qualified for, or called to the ministry. Even the best of theological institutions is not designed for (and should not be) evaluating a man’s life in terms of character and overall preparedness for pastoral ministry. Perhaps...
