by Bret Capranica | May 12, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
This week”™s sermon will look at 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and how the Lord”™s Supper should be a clear, visible indication of who the church is. Think through the following as you prepare for Sunday: Carefully Think Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. List as much as you can about the right ways we should approach the Lord”™s Supper. From what you read here, what were the Corinthians doing that prompted this instruction from Paul? In 11:28, we are called to examine ourselves so as not to participate in the supper in an unworthy way. How was the Corinthians”™ participation unworthy? What does that suggest about how we could participate this Sunday in an unworthy way? From what we learn about the Corinthian abuse of the Lord”™s Table, what does it suggest about how they improperly viewed the church? Read 1 Corinthians 10:16-17. What is the “body” referred to here? How does this impact how we should view the church during the Lord”™s Table? Prayerfully Meditate How do you normally prepare yourself to take the Lord”™s Table? How could what you see in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 help you? In what ways do you think about those in our church with whom you will take the elements of the table? How could 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 help you? In addition to personal reflection and confession of sin as a means of preparation, reflect on the benefits of the body of Christ and the relationships you share in the church. If your relationships with those in the body are weak, why? What can you do to strengthen them? If your participation in the lives of...
by Bret Capranica | May 11, 2011 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Taking a few mid-week minutes to think about how to enhance our fellowship with each other. Sunday’s Sermon, What Makes a Church? Baptism – Romans 6:3-5 Resources you may find helpful in thinking through baptism and children: Guidelines for Godly Parenting, Grace Community Church Evangelizing Children, Grace Community Church Look at pages 82-85 in Covenant Life Church’s New Member’s Material, Starting Point. Here you will find a section entitled, “The Sacraments-Questions and Answers for Parents” Why Wait for Baptism, Bethlehem Baptist Church Two Views on Childhood Participation in Church Ordinances, Bethlehem Baptist Church & Sojourn Community Church The Baptism of Children at CHBC, Capitol Hill Baptist Church Children and Baptism, Mark Dever (audio) Children and Baptism, Mark Dever – Q&A (audio) Resources from Children Desiring God Believer’s Baptism, Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright – excellent book on the biblical basis for...
by Bret Capranica | May 10, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
Over a year ago, I wrote The previous article discussed essentials for a pastor”™s study. In this one I want to think through the benefits and drawbacks of having a study primarily at the church or at home. For some this is not an issue. Either the church does not provide a place for a study (especially for church planters), or someone does not have the space at home for a study. I have served four churches in my almost 23 years of pastoral ministry. In two of the churches I kept the totality of my study at the office the church provided me. I did not have any place in the homes I lived in for a separate study. In the last two churches, I have maintained both a home and a church-based office and study. Even with very young children (and at times, a lot of them), I”™ve found it most helpful for me to do the bulk of my serious Bible study, thinking work, and sermon preparation at home. For meetings, planning, administrative work, etc., I love using my church office. Here”™s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of keeping the bulk of my study at home. Benefits Concentration. Years ago, I heard John Piper in a Q & A session indicate that he kept his study at the church for a few months, but found out that it didn”™t work for him to concentrate and so he moved it to his home. I have found it easier to have uninterrupted concentration at home as opposed to the church office. At my office, I want...
by Bret Capranica | May 9, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
I am in the midst of a short series of sermons on What Makes a Church. Yesterday’s sermon was on the subject of baptism and looked particularly at Romans 6:3-5. Here are my notes from that message: Baptism Makes a...
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by Bret Capranica | May 8, 2011 | Bookreviews, Pastoral Ministry, Southern Baptist Issues, Theological Education
Broadus On Boyce from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. A Gentleman and a Scholar: A Memoir of James Petigru Boyce, John A. Broadus John A. Broadus, an original faculty member, and the second President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes a warm and thorough account of the life and ministry of his good friend, and the first President of Southern Seminary, James Petigru Boyce. Published in 1893, Broadus”™s biography is an excellent illustration of life in antebellum and post-Civil War America. The first third of the book is devoted to the early life and education of Boyce. It is an excellent review of the providential circumstances that prepared Boyce to be a scholar and one devoted to training others in biblical scholarship and pastoral ministry. The majority of the book, however, is devoted more to a history of the founding and early days of Southern Seminary, emphasizing Boyce”™s critical life investment. Boyce is pictured as an avid reader, intense in increasing his knowledge throughout his entire life. From boyhood to the end of his life, Broadus depicts Boyce”™s thirst to grow. He is also shown to be a icon of perseverance, as Broadus describes Boyce”™s unflagging commitment to start and sustain Southern Seminary despite the enormous set backs from the civil war which included divesting Boyce of much of his personal wealth. Even to his last days, Boyce was immersed in promoting and securing the seminary”™s future. It is a fascinating and convicting look into a life of focus, discipline, and perseverance. Broadus”™ book is also an excellent look into how Southern Baptists, like Boyce, functioned during the tumultuous...
by Bret Capranica | May 6, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Time/Life Management
The previous post looked at the background, reasons, and benefits of having a weekly planning or review in order to focus on priorities in life. In this final post, I want to look at when you should do the review, what I do, and some things to watch out for. When Some of the principles that should govern when you do your weekly review are: “¢ Toward the end of your work week so you can look back on what was effective, how the next week will be affected by the previous week, what needs to be adjusted, and what needs to be followed up. “¢ Close to the beginning of your new work week. More than likely, your brain needs a break from the activity of the week. But before you begin a new one, your mind needs to gain an overall perspective of what”™s ahead. Pick an in-between time ““ where you”™ve had the opportunity to get away from the previous week and when you can mentally set the agenda for the next. For me this is Saturday morning. Friday is my day off and I typically block the day for family activities and rest. I don”™t want to think and plan on that day ““ I want to decompress and enjoy my family. So planning on Friday would simply be exhausting and frustrating. Sunday is filled with ministry opportunities. The morning is focused on preparing to preach and teach, the afternoon generally consists of lunch with church members and preparation for our evening gathering. I also often meet with a group of men to discuss Sunday”™s...
