My friend, Dan Strange of Crosslands has recently contributed to the discussion about ministry pathways and pipelines in the latest edition of Themelios. Here’s my response to the article which I shared with Dan via Facebook inititially. Thanks Dan, There is much that chimes here with things I’ve been saying for some time, not least… Continue reading Pipelines and pathways: A response to “Strange Times: On (Not) Considering Theological Training”
Category: Leadership
What really are the qualifications of an elder/pastor?
I’ve been thinking about this because there is a trend amongst theological educators to talk about the need to emphasise spiritual formation as much as theological training for potential pastors. However, when you look at what the Bible says about the qualifications of an elder in 1 Timothy 3, it says that they are to… Continue reading What really are the qualifications of an elder/pastor?
If a “learned ministry” is important then what is it?
Josh Moody writes with a US Evangelical perspective in mind about the relocation of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to Canada in Evangelicals Now. He observed that the relocation has provoked a significant discussion about theological training. It might be helpful for him to know that such a conversation has been going on, at least at… Continue reading If a “learned ministry” is important then what is it?
Promotion, drama and distraction
It’s the 96th minute of the final game of the season, it’s 0-0 at Valley Parade, the place is rocking as a late late goal goes in and Bradford City secure third place and promotion. For a Bradford fan like me, the emotion is sheer delight. We did it! I can imagine too, the crushing… Continue reading Promotion, drama and distraction
A little proposal, what if we got rid of the distinction between elders conpletely?
My friend Steve Kneale recently wrote in praise of unpaid elders. He began by talking. about the problems with different descriptions for paid and unpaid elders. I agree 100 percent with him. In fact the one thing I’d want to do is make explicitly clear that there is no Biblical foundation for the presbyterian distinction… Continue reading A little proposal, what if we got rid of the distinction between elders conpletely?
What do we value more, the theologian or the pastor? …and is it possible to be a great pastor but a poor theologian
There have been a few recent articles examining the relationship between two significant puritan figures, John Owen and Richard Baxter. John Steven’s recently commented on Facebook about their falling out and described them as “puritan greats”. This led to one person challenging whether or not we could describe Baxter as “a great”, his assessment was… Continue reading What do we value more, the theologian or the pastor? …and is it possible to be a great pastor but a poor theologian
Cities need walls but they need more than walls
The other Sunday I was preaching on Nehemiah 11. It struck me that there was a crucial link between what was happening here and what the situation was described as back in Nehemiah 7 where we are told: 4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had… Continue reading Cities need walls but they need more than walls
In defence of Executive Pastors
I saw this article the other day and I’m not completely unsympathetic to the concerns. However, I’m not completely convinced by the arguments either. So I thought it was worth saying something in defence of the executive pastor. It’s worth saying two things up front. First of all, the term tends to refer to a member… Continue reading In defence of Executive Pastors
Church leadership should reflect not mitigate the home
I’m a complementarian in regard to church leadership because I believe two things, first that this label best describes the pattern for relationships between husbands and wives in the home. Secondly, that the local church is mean to function as an extended family. Let me expand on that a little. First, complementarianism is based on… Continue reading Church leadership should reflect not mitigate the home
Remember, you don’t have a helicopter
David Robertson tells Evangelicals Now readers that he likes to try and take a helicopter view of the UK church scene. He explains that he tried to do this whilst in Scotland and continues to do so now that he lives and works in Australia. He goes on to say that he doesn’t like what… Continue reading Remember, you don’t have a helicopter
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