Apr 29, 2008 | Southern Baptist Issues
Nathan Finn has written an excellent response to the latest figures that show that the SBC seems to be statistically dwindling. Does the SBC Have a Future? – The Fullness of... read more
Apr 28, 2008 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry
Being a small church pastor, I will be looking into these videos in the next few weeks: Videos From The Small Church Conference Now Online | Said at Southern... read more
Apr 27, 2008 | Interviews
My friend, Pastor Stephen Jones, points us to a great testimony about Master’s College professor, Dr. Daniel Wong. I first saw this video at the Shepherds’ Conference – very encouraging. The Desert Chronicle: Dr. Daniel Wong’s... read more
Apr 27, 2008 | Preaching
I will be asking these questions of myself today before I preach: Between Two Worlds: Questions to Ask before You Preach read more
Apr 26, 2008 | Blogging
In a guest post on Justin Taylor’s blog, Abraham Piper describes rationale for blogging and ways to improve yor blog. Bret, take note! Between Two Worlds: 12 Ways to Improve Your Blog by Serving Your Readers: What I Didn’t Say at Band of Bloggers (by Abraham... read more
Apr 26, 2008 | Worship
Bob Kauflin posts some excellent reflections on leading music at T4G. The simplicity of the instrumentation, the depth of the words, the choice and placement of the songs after each message, the unity of the men singing around the themes of the gospel were all major highlights for me at the conference. Bob did an outstanding job of keeping us Christ centered and truth focused in our singing. Reflections on Leading Worship at Together for the Gospel | Worship... read more
Apr 25, 2008 | Bookreviews
My wonderful wife and I just finished reading Jerry Bridges book, The Discipline of Grace. Here is her review (and yes, we really are trying to finish the books we have begun): The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges – The Capranica... read more
Apr 23, 2008 | Music
Bob Kauflin, worship pastor at Covenant Life Church did an outstanding job of leading the music at T4G. Here are the list of songs and speakers from the conference. Song List for Together for the Gospel Conference | Worship... read more
Apr 22, 2008 | Pastoral Ministry
My DMin work is on this very subject. Jeff Moody points us to Dr. Mohler’s recently posted article advocating the primacy of the local church in the training of men for pastoral ministry. Mohler on Church-Based Pastoral Training – SoCal Theologica: Theological Musings from the West... read more
Apr 15, 2008 | Pastoral Ministry
As this post makes its way to THE CAPRANICA front page, I will be getting into Pastor James Billings’ car headed to meet Pastor Stacy Johnson (Lord willing and he is feeling better), and we will together make the hour and a half to two hour trip to LAX to catch a plane and an all day trip (with the time zone changes) to Louisville, KY, to attend the Together for the Gospel Conference. The link below is to the article C.J. Mahaney recently posted about pastors taking time to make such trips for team building. I couldn’t agree more with his comments. In fact, our team has tried to do exactly as he has suggested and take a trip or attend a class together each year for the purpose of building our relationships as a team and taking in some great material that helps sharpen us and our ministry. We will laugh together (we normally do – but these times will contain more than the normal hilarity), eat together (again, not uncommon for us – but our weight loss plans will be savagely abandoned this week), pray together, sing together at the conference, talk, talk and talk some more about every conceivable element of ministry and life that comes to our minds. Not everyone may appreciate our taking the time this week to go to Louisville. I know that we leave behind a needy flock that all three of us love passionately and will look forward to being with again this Lord’s Day. Our wives and children (well, for two of us), will be left behind and we... read more
Apr 13, 2008 | Technology
Fred Butler points us to a host of helpful websites. Check them out. Hip and Thigh: Useful Websites read more
Apr 12, 2008 | Preaching
Pastor Steve Weaver points us to a new resource that boasts downloadable copies of some of the commentaries recommended by the late great Spurgeon. New Website Featuring Spurgeon’s Recommended Commentaries – Pastor Steve Weaver’s... read more
Apr 11, 2008 | Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
This past Wednesday during my quiet time, I finished reading D. A. Carson’s book, Memoirs of An Ordinary Pastor. I cannot think of a book in recent memory that has moved me so emotionally. I see myself as an ordinary pastor. In fact, weeks before the book was published I wrote a post about being an ordinary pastor. I had actually put down in writing a plan for a number of “Ordinary Pastor” posts, but I put them all on the shelf until I could obtain and read through Carson’s book. The most compelling portions for me in the book are his stalwart commitments to work hard in study, evangelism, prayer and family. Reading of his unwavering commitment to his wife during her Alzheimer years challenged me now to be more devoted to my wife and children. Learning of his final years of life – how full they were of commitment to serving the church, study hard and give himself to future generations of pastors, inspired a sense of renewed devotion within me. D. A. Carson’s final words about his father cap off what is a most excellent book: Tom Carson never rose very far in denominational structures, but hundreds of people in the Outaouais and beyond testify how much he loved them. He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday’s grace was never enough. He was not a farsighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity. He was not a gifted administrator, but there is no text that says, “By this shall... read more
Apr 11, 2008 | Seeker-Sensitive
Fascinating to watch the potential changes at Willow Creek. I simply wonder how significant the movement is. Between Two Worlds: Willow Creek: “We’ve Really Upset the Christ-Centered... read more
Apr 9, 2008 | Science
Scientists (especially theistic evolutionists) like to provide naturalistic explanations for most everything. In their quest to debunk “God” it seems they are now trying to find the missing link in their research: the God Particle. Scientists On Verge Of Finding The “God Particle” :... read more
Apr 7, 2008 | Time/Life Management
I have a helpful system for managing my e-mail, but I thought I would put this one out there to THE CAPRANICA readers to see what systems you are using. How do you manage your e-mail in-box? This article has some helpful thoughts. Give me some of yours. I’ll post my approach (or my former one if you have some more helpful ideas) after we have a few responses here. I will publish my own approach to handling e-mail clutter next week. Unclutterer » Archive » Simple strategies to clear email clutter From Gina Trapani of... read more
Apr 4, 2008 | Mobile Posts
This is a post from my phone on to the Capranica(?). listen Powered by Jott UPDATE: I know, David already sort of ridiculed me for posting this post. However, I thought it was rather unique. Are you a member of Jott? You should consider it. Jott is a nifty little tool that I’ve actually been using for a while. If I think of something I need to do, or I want to respond to someone’s voice mail via an e-mail while I’m on the road, I use Jott. I’ve programmed Jott‘s number into my speed dial. I call it up. They ask me “Who do you want to Jott?” If I want to send a task to myself that I will follow up with through Outlook, I say “myself,” record the task and hang up. It then sends an e-mail to me which I then incorporate into my task or appointment list(s). I can also upload my contact list to Jott and it will send my voice recorded notes to anyone on the list via e-mail. It works similarly in Twitter or WordPress. I can now simply say “Twitter,” or “WordPress” and it will post my comments to the blog. Being a Blackberry user, I am never away from the ability to receive or send an e-mail, but I really shouldn’t be doing much of that while driving. So, with my bluetooth headset on, I can send e-mail or task assignments via voice to anyone on my e-mail address book or to myself, respectively. Not... read more
Apr 3, 2008 | Blogging, Pastoral Ministry
Abraham Piper throws down the gauntlet and challenges pastors to blog. O.K., this motivates me to blog more. Well. . . we’ll see. 6 Reasons Pastors Should Blog :: Desiring God... read more
