Justin Taylor has posted a summary of how some leading pastors and theologians answered that question. Click here.
If you only read one of the answers, I would recommend Dever’s.
Remember the Church (composed of local churches) is as much God’s plan for this age as the Ark was for Noah’s.
Mark Dever responds that the most crying need of the Church today is:
For pastors to know and understand what a local church should and can be and for pastors to teach this to their congregations. Much of the blessings and benefits of good teaching in evangelical churches in America goes into the hearts of individuals and then perhaps into the lives of their family and friend but is then largely lost in the sands of American individualism. If the preaching of the gospel and expositional preaching are the glorious founts of life, the local church is to be the bowl, the container, in which that life is caught and held up for display to a thirsty world. That pastors should know and understand and teach this is the most crying need in evangelical churches in America today.
Tullian Tchividjian reminds Christians that transformed people are called to transform culture. (Read it here). Certainly, this transformation includes evangelism. But, we should also transform culture by being salt and light wherever God has called us to live and serve.
Josh Harris wisely encourages his church (apparently a new members class? This was at a Member’s Meeting, see Gunny’s comment below) on how they should interact with one another about the choices families make in their children’s education.
Pornographic Sentimentalism: A man-centered airbrushing of the past that creates a fiction that never existed in the first place - - such that people lust after what was, though in fact it wasn’t.
Illustrated
“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic (Numbers 11:4-5).”
“. . .Oh, in the good old days . . . we never had this struggle . . . we always . . .”
Alternative
Remember in a Christ-centered way (Joshua 4:21-24).
Fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Today our church celebrates 150 years as a church. We’re only having one service, which means that we’ll be packed. . . it’s going to be a wonderful time.
So few churches make it to 150 years. And, far fewer make it to 150 years while continuing to be a vibrant witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. The logo to the right expresses much of our heart for the coming year. We want to be thankful for our history even as we are focused on our Lord and what He will accomplish in the future.
Other than the Chief of Police asking me if Ken Mrozek is my son, it was a great day.
One of the times I am most thankful as a pastor is when I see our people being salt and light in the community. Christians are called to preserve the culture, to glorify Christ, by reflecting his glory and brilliance in the different vocations to which we are called.
Today, one of our Deacons, Shawn Ross received a promotion to sergeant. The police chief mentioned how Shawn has distinguished himself in detetective work with graffitti.
Remember, to pray for Shawn and our police in general.
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Posted by Chris Brauns
