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Ecclesiology Archive
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Erick Puentez’s Church Planting Proposal
Posted on June 3, 2011 | No CommentsI asked Erick permission to post his church planting proposal. Great job, Erick, I pray that the Lord blesses you as you serve Him and His kingdom. PDF - A Church Planting Proposal [Erick Puentez] -
2Peter 3 – The Passing Away of Heaven and Earth – Gary Demar
Posted on November 30, 2010 | 4 CommentsI wanted to post Gary Demar’s commentary on 2Peter chapter 3 so that I can use it as a reference and also have it here on my blog for easier discussion among my friends. So here is it is, enjoy! ________________________________________________ What Does Peter Mean... -
MVC Elders’ Affirmation of Baptism
Posted on November 19, 2010 | No CommentsChristian Baptism is a sovereign New Covenant ordinance of the Lord in which repentant believers submit themselves to immersion in water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit at the hands of an authorized disciple. This act is a... -
MVC Elders’ Affirmation of the Church
Posted on November 18, 2010 | No CommentsThe elders of Murrieta Valley Church believe in the one universal Church, composed of all those, in every time and place, who are chosen in Christ and united to Him through faith by the Spirit in one Body, with Christ Himself as the all- supplying,... -
Five Advantages of Church-Based Counseling
Posted on November 10, 2010 | No CommentsArticle By Deepak Reju “God knows me well,” a friend once said to me. “He knew that, apart from the accountability and love that comes from a Christian community, I would not survive in this world.” God never meant for Christians to live alone. Through... -
Church Planting Resources
Posted on November 9, 2010 | No CommentsHighly Recommended Childers, Steven L., 2006 Church Planter Training Manual: A Gospel-Centered Approach. Orlando, FL: Global Church Advancement, Inc. Keller, Timothy and Allen Thompson, 2002 Church Planter Manual: A Church Multiplication Handbook (Center-City Church Planting). New York: Redeemer Church Planting Center. Lovelace, Richard, 1985 Renewal... -
The Two Experiences of a Counter-Culture
Posted on November 9, 2010 | No CommentsThe gospel transforms an individual from the realm of separation from God’s blessings into a personal relationship with God. This personal impact of the gospel is often taught by preachers But the gospel does more than just have an individual impact on a person. The... -
Who Should Not Be in the Driver Seat
Posted on November 3, 2010 | No CommentsI went to Ride Rite Motorcycle Training a few weeks ago which I would recommend for anyone who rides street motorcycles, even if you have been riding for years. It was very educational but a lots of fun too, especially because I went with three... -
The Church-city of God
Posted on November 3, 2010 | No CommentsThe church began in the Garden of Eden where God instructed Adam to “multiply and fill the earth,” building cities and civilization out of the resources of Creation. The civilization of earth was intended to glorify God. Adam was given every gift needed to accomplish... -
The Church is an Outpost of Heaven
Posted on November 3, 2010 | No CommentsIn Acts 16, God called the Apostle Paul to go to Macedonia which is a territory that is commonly today called Greece. Paul followed God’s call and went to the city of Philippi which had received its name from Philip of Macedon (the father of... -
The City of God in Philippi
Posted on November 3, 2010 | No CommentsThere is an ancient Jewish prayer that says, “Thank God I am not a woman, a slave, or a pagan.” But according to a different worldview, the Apostle Paul went to Philippi in Acts 16 and built a church with a woman named Lydia, a... -
The Church Cultivates a Counter Culture
Posted on November 3, 2010 | No CommentsWe must be very aware of the great challenges that lie before us to help our people live out their faith. Christians are asking us the right questions and we are seeing our “philosophy of ministry” mature into actual “living ministry” right before our eyes!... -
Piper: God’s Word Grows Church
Posted on April 22, 2010 | 1 CommentThe Lord uses the Word of God to build the Church. May your church be a Word-saturated, Word-goverened church, saturated with Bible-talk! -
Demographic Data Sources
Posted on November 19, 2009 | 1 CommentCity-data.com U.S. Census Bureau -
Church Planting Action Plan: Memphis
Posted on November 16, 2009 | 1 CommentS C Church A Church Planting Prospectus Our Purpose SCC exists to joyfully bring God glory by transforming individuals, the Greater Memphis area, and other parts of the world with the power of the gospel. Our Vision To be a healthy church that balances worship,... -
Church Planting Action Plan: Orlando
Posted on November 16, 2009 | No CommentsTable of Contents Our Purpose. 1 Our Core Values and Vision. 1 Our Target Area. 4 Our Philosophy of Ministry. 6 Worship. 6 Learning. 7 Evangelism.. 8 Fellowship. 10 Social Concern. 11 Our Ministry Strategy. 11 Our Core Beliefs. 15 Our Projected Ministry Timeline. 16... -
A Church’s Purpose Statement
Posted on November 4, 2009 | No CommentsOur Vision: “Our church exists to exalt Christ and manifest His Kingdom through the power of the Spirit to the glory of the Father as His covenant people.” Our Mission: It is our mission that our church would become a community that is being freed... -
The Sacraments: A Ten Sermon Series on Baptism and Communion
Posted on September 30, 2009 | 1 CommentMVC Elder Affirmation of Communion: We believe that Communion is an ordinance of the Lord in which gathered believers eat bread, signifying Christ’s body given for His people, and drink the cup of the Lord, signifying the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. We do this... -
Twenty Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Starting a Church
Posted on September 23, 2009 | No CommentsIs my primary motivation for considering church planting the glory and worship of God and not primarily dissatisfaction with my present situation? Am I truly convinced that church planting is the most effective strategy under heaven to advance the kingdom of God, make disciples of... -
Confirm a Church Planter’s Calling
Posted on September 20, 2009 | No CommentsThe Importance of a Clear Call to Church Planting The first lecture of my church planting class each semester is always an exegesis of 2Timothy 2:1-7. That text has been my source of strength through the years in ministry. Timothy was very discouraged in the... -
What does it take to be an effective church planter?
Posted on September 10, 2009 | 1 CommentCharles Ridley conducted a study of church planters in the United States and Canada. His subjects in the study represented 13 Protestant denominations. Based upon his research and subsequent field testing, he developed a list of 13 prominent performance dimensions. For over a decade, these... -
Book Review: Church Planting Movements
Posted on September 9, 2009 | 1 CommentBy David Garrison Reviewed by Ed Roberts Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World WIGTake Resources, 2003. 362 pages. $18.95 Sometimes a book contains important biblical truths and helpful suggestions even though its theological methodology or hermeneutic is flawed. In that situation,... -
A Pastor’s Forum Concerning Pastor’s Training New Pastors
Posted on September 3, 2009 | No Comments9Marks asked a roundtable of pastors the following question: Do local churches have the responsibility to help raise up the next generation of pastors, and if so, why? Answers from: Rickey Armstrong (Glendale Baptist Church, Miami, FL) Stephen E. Farish (Crossroads Church, Grayslake, IL) David... -
A Seminary President’s Forum
Posted on September 3, 2009 | No Comments9Marks Ministries asked a roundtable of seminary presidents the following two questions: Why is your seminary needed? What’s an exciting example you have seen being done in a local church that would encourage pastors to think of raising up the next generation? Answers from: Daniel... -
Seven Seasons of Church Planting
Posted on September 1, 2009 | No Comments -
Pragmatism, Pragmatism Everywhere!
Posted on July 13, 2009 | No CommentsBy Andy Johnson A friend and I were riding in his car after lunch vigorously discussing a controversial topic in missiology, and with good reason. We served together on the board of trustees for a mission sending organization, and a number of board members had... -
Why Do the New Calvinists Insist on Complementarianism? by DeYoung
Posted on July 6, 2009 | 3 CommentsThe following was posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 by Kevin DeYoung. I am reposting it here on FIDE-O because I think that it is worth reading. DeYoung writes: A friend of mine pointed me to a fascinating, and I think sincerely inquistive, blog post... -
Blessed with One Worship Service
Posted on June 8, 2009 | 1 CommentAbout a year ago our church decided that we would no longer have two worship services on Sunday mornings. We made this decision based on our ecclessiology. We knew that having two worship services had caused a division in our church body and had robbed... -
We are Soldiers – 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Posted on May 25, 2009 | No CommentsA strong believer is one who has the truth and guards it and gives it away. So a strong Christian is a diligent student of Scripture. A strong Christian is faithful to articulate that Scripture. A strong Christian is loyal to the intent and content of that Scripture and involved in the training of others who can train others still. What does it take to be successful in this endeavor? Consider the following characteristic of a successful soldier of Christ: -
Comparing Dispensational Theology and Covenant Theology
Posted on May 20, 2009 | 11 CommentsChart: Dispensationalism vs Covenantalism, comparing the two theologies and providing a short list of proponents. -
Two easy ways church can shape the culture
Posted on May 4, 2009 | 23 CommentsThe homepage of the 9Marks.org website poses the following question: Is Your Church Reflecting the Culture or Shaping It? That is a great question. In fact, that very question is being asked by many various groups (Emergents, church growth experts, church planting organizations, postmil thinkers).... -
When Pastors Stoke the Fire
Posted on May 2, 2009 | No CommentsIn Paul’s first letter to Timothy he had already established that the best medicine for false teaching and apostasy is “sound doctrine” (1 Tim 1:10; 4:3). So vital is sound doctrine to the health of the church that it is something to be pursued (1... -
Will the Real Church Planter Please Stand Up
Posted on April 30, 2009 | 1 CommentMuch of the Church is in competition with the world for popularity these days. The world is very good at capturing people’s attention and affections because it targets and appeals to the pleasures of humanity. The church, on the other hand, tends to be very... -
Misconceptions About Plural Elder Led Congregationalism
Posted on April 28, 2009 | 13 CommentsI want to put the following article into the FIDE-O archives. It is a worthy opinion of a fellow blogger, Ben at PALEOEVANGELICAL Once every few months I find myself in a conversation about church polity. When I describe what I believe, more often than not... -
Baptists and Elders by Mark Dever
Posted on April 27, 2009 | No CommentsGo here to read Mark Dever’s great online article about Baptists and Elders. -
What is an Eldership and What Does It Do
Posted on April 27, 2009 | 2 CommentsBiblically the church office of pastor and elder are the same. Pastors are elders and elders are pastors. And the Biblical instuction is that each local church should have a plurality of pastors. The decision of churches as to who shall be their pastors is one... -
Cowards Should Not Apply
Posted on April 24, 2009 | 3 CommentsGod does not call cowards. Thankfully, with the calling of God comes the boldness of God. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Paul was calling for... -
Pastors Should Suffer
Posted on April 23, 2009 | 2 CommentsThe Apostle Paul told Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8-10, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us... -
In what way should a pastor be shameless?
Posted on April 18, 2009 | No CommentsShamelessness is a result of Lordship. Paul was surrendered to the Lordship of Christ as seen in his embracing of a life calling. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 “for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer... -
How Do We Revitalize Dead Churches?
Posted on April 13, 2009 | No CommentsWe should help dying churches plant new churches. It very well may result in two vibrant churches; it will at least produce one vibrant church; it is doubtful that it will produce two dying churches. Why might this work? It will work because this is... -
Getting Honest with God
Posted on April 4, 2009 | 2 CommentsIf a person is going to live by faith, he is going to be confronted by problems. Habakkuk’s life and ministry were plagued with problems. In the first chapter of Habakkuk the man of God complained about his problems and even assigned the blame on... -
Gender Roles at Home, Church and Abroad
Posted on September 10, 2008 | 6 CommentsThe Bible is full of commandments (instructions and prohibitions) for mankind. The Bible is not sexist, racist, or discriminatory in any way. God has created us all for the purpose of giving Him glory, and He has given us clear precepts in the Scriptures that... -
Mark Dever: God’s Role for Women in the Church
Posted on September 10, 2008 | 15 CommentsIn light of the nomination of Sarah Palin to the office of VP, Christians are looking to the Scriptures for God’s wisdom concerning mothers holding such a demanding job in light of her responsibility to her children. Mark Dever, the pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist... -
What Do We Call It?
Posted on August 26, 2008 | 3 CommentsWhat do we call it: The Lord’s Supper, an Ordinance, Sacrament, or Communion? This question is common. So let me try to answer it. First, take a look at the 1689 Baptist Confession and notice the four things I emphasized in bold-italics: CHAPTER 30 –... -
30 Practical Ways For Pastors to Love Their Wives & Families
Posted on August 12, 2008 | No CommentsCompiled by several pastors The demands of pastoral ministry can be tough on the pastor’s wife and family. Not only do they tempt him to neglect his family, they can leave him void of good, creative, meaningful ideas on how to love and serve them.... -
The Question of the Reformed Ages: Baptism and Local Church Membership
Posted on July 31, 2008 | 22 CommentsSeveral years ago the elders of Bethlehem Baptist Church, which is pastored by John Piper, wrestled with the issue of allowing Christians to join their church who have not been biblically baptized. Every reformed pastor I know has admitted to me that he and his... -
Closing the Front Door and Opening the Back
Posted on July 27, 2008 | 1 CommentA few years ago, I [Mark Dever] conducted a seminar at a state Baptist Convention on “Getting your church off the plateau.” I picked up some typical modern liturature to read. In it, the author encouraged pastors to “Open the front door of your church... -
Chick Flick Christianity in a Feminized Church
Posted on June 16, 2008 | 5 CommentsI never really understood the draw of romance novels or movies, until I was old enough to understand just how different women think than men. I am not saying I understand how women think; I just now understand they don’t think like me. However, I... -
Cutting Edge Church (the New Church Growth Model)
Posted on June 3, 2008 | 26 CommentsI wanted to give some commentary on Jason’s much appreciated and understandable rant on David Olsons Press Enterprise article, but the more I thought about it the more aggravated I got at the article. Cutting edge means leading the way. Nothing against Sandals but it... -
The Importance of Prayer
Posted on May 27, 2008 | No CommentsCorporate Prayer: God’s Power Creates Unity (click here for full manuscript) “Living as a Church” I. INTRODUCTION Generally speaking, why is prayer so important? Prayer is how God’s people respond to him in thankfulness and praise. Prayer is how God’s people cry out to him... -
The Importance of Preaching
Posted on May 26, 2008 | 5 CommentsPreaching—The Foundation of Unity (click here for entire outline) As Christians, we probably all agree that preaching is important. But what’s not immediately obvious is how the act of preaching—and the act of listening to preaching—contributes to the unity of a local church. How exactly... -
Asking for Advice on How to Handle a Semi-pelagian Adversary
Posted on May 23, 2008 | 9 CommentsThe following email was sent to me… Jason, I have enjoyed reading your blog for some time, and want to thank you for the work that you put into it. I am a pastor myself, and was thinking back upon a situation at a church... -
Suffering for the Gospel
Posted on May 16, 2008 | 3 CommentsThe Apostle Paul told Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8-10, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us... -
“All Glory” Worship At the Merc
Posted on May 14, 2008 | No CommentsI call this Dave’s “song that bought the bus” although maybe a small bus. “All Glory” has been recorded by Women of Faith and by Dave. I think it is one all churches should be singing. If you want a chord chart let us know.... -
Worship At the Merc May 2008 “Now We Can Sing”
Posted on May 12, 2008 | 5 CommentsThis video is from the May “Worship At the Merc”. We do this event the first Monday of every month at the Merc which is a smaller venue associated with the Old Town Temecula Theater. This is another song written by Dave Regier on keyboard.... -
Courageous Ministry
Posted on May 5, 2008 | 3 CommentsGod does not call cowards. With the calling of God comes the boldness of God. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Paul was calling for a... -
Which Generation is Your Church Filled With?
Posted on May 5, 2008 | No CommentsIn the first generation truth is a conviction. Those who hold that conviction, hold it dearly. They do not know the meaning of compromise. They are willing to die for what they believe to be true. In the second generation the conviction becomes a belief.... -
Stoke the Fire
Posted on May 1, 2008 | 1 CommentLets consider 2 Timothy 1:1-6. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he had already established that the best medicine for false teaching and apostasy is “sound doctrine” (1 Tim 1:10; 4:3). So vital is sound doctrine to the health of the church that it is... -
Engage the Culture, Not to Save the Culture but to Save Sinners
Posted on April 3, 2008 | 2 CommentsBoth of these short videos are helpful for those who are trying to gain a balanced, biblical view of our relationship and responsibility to the culture in which we find ourselves. Guard that which has been entrusted to us. -
New Word! Contentualization
Posted on March 10, 2008 | 1 Commentby JasonConcerning this whole contextualization debate, I was talking to a good friend of mine today who said that that it seems that some people are confusing contextualization with contentualization. He explained that the real issue is not how a person is contextualizing but if... -
Are you a Jew?
Posted on February 1, 2008 | 6 CommentsWalter Price answers this question in this sermon. Also get to this sermon by going to this page and clicking on the sermon entitled “Are You A Jew?“. Guard that which has been entrusted to us. -
Which Approach is Right
Posted on January 23, 2008 | 4 CommentsFacing the Current Challenges with Comprehensive Church Reformby Jason Consider this analysis of our current challenges:“The relationship of Christians to culture is the singular current crisis point for the church. Evangelicals are deeply divided over how to interact with a social order that is growing... -
Christians are Defined by Certain Attributes
Posted on January 12, 2008 | 1 Commentby Jason We have to be defined by our service and sacrifice, by lives that exude humility and grace. (unchristian, 206) We must not be bothered by the critics in our culture. But we should not be defined by our critics, as well. We should... -
unChristian
Posted on January 9, 2008 | 10 Commentsby Jason I am reading unchristian and was thinking about a statement on page 26. David Kinnaman says that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. “We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.” I agree that... -
Know Your Audience
Posted on December 11, 2007 | 14 CommentsLike a missionary.Do you live like a missionary in your “Jerusalem”?I know many conservatives balk at any talk of contextualizing the gospel. But let me ask you: do you preach out of an English translation of the Bible, does your church have a men’s ministry,... -
Relating to a Torn Heart
Posted on December 3, 2007 | 4 Commentsby Jason Robertson Watch this short video as Les Miles talks about his love for both LSU and Michigan. Then read my reflections below and how it relates to pastoring. When I watched this video I got a little emotional because I can relate to... -
How’s This for a Church Covenant?!
Posted on November 29, 2007 | 1 CommentDavid Fairchild is a church planter in San Diego. His church Kaleo is a great example of a church that understands the mission of God’s people in this world. Recently he preached a sermon entitled “One Anothering” and spoke of Kaleo’s Community Covenant. It is... -
McCoy’s Mission to Suburbia
Posted on November 27, 2007 | No CommentsI want to thank Steve McCoy for this online list of resources for churches in Suburbia! I was in San Diego a few weeks ago meeting with Dick Kaufmann (from Redeemer Church NY) and 14 other church planters who are in the urban San Diego... -
Born to Plant a Church
Posted on November 26, 2007 | No CommentsGuard that which has been entrusted to us. -
The Church Should Be Counter-Culture
Posted on November 16, 2007 | No CommentsAl Mohler Guard that which has been entrusted to us. -
Discernment: The Gospel and Graymatters
Posted on November 16, 2007 | No CommentsMark Dever Eric Simmons Guard that which has been entrusted to us. -
When God’s People Worship, Sinners are Converted
Posted on November 14, 2007 | 6 CommentsRecently I had was blessed to discuss with some brothers the evangelistic power found in a church that truly worships. In recent decades, seeker-churches had “dumbed-down” their worship services to try to appeal to the world. They even used secular songs, skits and drama, stand-up... -
Missional vs Seeker
Posted on November 12, 2007 | No CommentsGuard that which has been entrusted to us. -
It Gets Messy
Posted on November 7, 2007 | No CommentsGuard that which has been entrusted to us. -
Be Both
Posted on November 6, 2007 | 6 Comments“Evangelistic” is the adjective form of the noun “evangelist.”An “evangelistic” church preaches the gospel calling people to repentance.An “evangelistic” church exhorts the gospel and calls people to a decision.“Evangelistic” churches strive to be attract the lost that they may come, hear, and be converted. “Missional”...