In which I respond to some (mis)characterizations of the so-called "proclamational" model of evangelism and church planting.
When the Foreigner Comes
Unreached people groups are migrating to North America in record numbers. What does that mean for the church? In this message preached on October 23, 2022 at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church in Allentown, PA, I explore 1 Kings 8 and its implications for believers in the new covenant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ab_ikzTO1M
I’m Not a Missionary. Am I Making Excuses?
I have no regrets. Given the chance, there are plenty of things in my life I would’ve done differently. I would’ve listened more to my dad. I would’ve read more attentively in school. I would’ve gone on a short-term missions trip in college. I would’ve entered foster care and adoption with my wife with more … Continue reading I’m Not a Missionary. Am I Making Excuses?
Missions by the Book
Why study theology if my goal is to go impact people overseas who don’t know Jesus at all? Why do the missionaries I know sound so different from my pastor? Which missionaries should our church support? If you’ve ever had thoughts like these, it’s because across the church, there is a rift between the realm … Continue reading Missions by the Book
3 Reasons Complementarianism Is a Missions Issue
This article is cross-posted on ABWE. Christian love across lines of differing convictions are essential to the missionary task of the church. To make disciples of all nations invariably involves flexing, adapting, and bending to an innumerable number of circumstances in the name of Christlikeness. Culture and language acquisition are only the beginning; to reach … Continue reading 3 Reasons Complementarianism Is a Missions Issue
Radical or Reasonable?
I remember one Sunday morning in my teen years on which a woman at church made a passing comment that I was “very pious.” The comment came during an angsty phase of my life, in which I was just beginning to learn theology and take my Christian walk more seriously. I was unsure how to … Continue reading Radical or Reasonable?
Questioning the Kingdom? – Part 3: Gospel Centrality
When the atomic unity of the first and second greatest commandments is split, nuclear reactions are unleashed. What God has brought together in his law, let no man tear asunder.
Questioning the Kingdom? – Part 2: Cultural Transformation
Does God promise to change our society in the gospel, such that we should expect him to do it if the church is faithful?
Questioning the Kingdom? – Part 1: Definitions
What is the kingdom of God? How is cultural, societal, political transformation related to the kingdom?
Why Risk Is Still Right
This article is cross-posted on ABWE.org. Several years ago, when I was contemplating a transition from my role as a youth pastor into missions mobilization, one of the questions that gripped me was: Am I deserting my “flock”? How many of the young adults I’m leaving behind will make shipwreck of their faith? As I … Continue reading Why Risk Is Still Right