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A La Carte (July 31)

friday

I know I had said I hoped to have my White Fragility review finalized by today, but sadly I’m going to have to bounce it to next week (for which you have my apologies). Life has become very topsy-turvy for reasons that will become obvious next week.

Those who keep an eye on Kindle deals will find just a couple today. We’ll hope for better tomorrow as we kick off a new month.

Calvin and That Awfully Divisive Person in Your Church

Ian Clary: “In Reformed circles, we pride theological orthodoxy and are quick to blow Knox’s proverbial trumpet at the slightest theological (or political!) provocation. Heresy is, rightly, seen as disastrous for the soul, but we forget that in the early church schism was as bad as heresy. To be a schismatic was akin to being an Arian.”

The Uncertain Future of Post-Pandemic Starbucks

Starbucks has had its ups and downs over the years, but the pandemic represents what is probably its biggest challenge. You don’t have to appreciate the company or its product to be interested in this analysis.

Rosaria Butterfield on Hospitality in COVID-19

In this episode of the MinistryNetwork Podcast (available in video and audio formats), Rosaria Butterfield speaks about COVID-19, hospitality, church ministry in the pandemic, the sovereignty of God over sickness, and growing spiritually during global crises. In previous episodes, you’ll hear other captivating interviews with Rosaria Butterfield (audio, video) and Paul Washer on missional conviction (audio, video). And subscribe to be notified of new episodes featuring Alistair Begg, Rachael Denhollander, and others. (Want to learn more about MinistryNetwork? Visit our site.)

Overwhelming Majority of Evangelicals Support Women Preachers

A new study shows that a great majority of evangelicals support women preachers. CBMW comments.

Which Door Will The Ball Hit? (Video)

This is kind of neat—something you may enjoy watching with the kids.

The Beautiful Inconvenience of Ministry

Joel Hart writes about the beautiful inconvenience of ministry, perhaps especially right now.

When To Use The Original Languages

I really appreciated this look at when to use the original languages and agree with the author that it’s usually best not to. “The point of this series is to argue that, unless you are currently engaged in an academic discussion, it is probably best to leave the original languages out of it. In non-academic settings the use of Greek and Hebrew is either wrong-headed or counter-productive.”

Trust Your Sixth Sense

“I’ve heard several self-defense experts through the years suggest that people trust their ‘sixth sense.’ If a situation doesn’t feel right, even if you can’t put your finger on the reason why, it is often best just to remove yourself from the situation.” Here’s an argument that Christians should heed that spiritual sixth sense, at least enough to investigate it according to the Word.

Flashback: How to Create a Reading Culture in Your Church

On a trip to Scotland, I held an Ask Me Anything event at FM Bookstore and Cafe in Edinburgh. One of the questions I was asked was “how do you create a reading culture in your church?” Here is my answer.

Men may die like lambs, and yet have their place with the goats.

—Matthew Henry

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    Weekend A La Carte (February 22)

    A La Carte: The ‘ordo amoris’ and immigration policy / Sin casts a long shadow / But For the Cross of Christ (a new song) / Don’t wait to be thankful / Prayers for scrupulosity / and more.

  • Either Or

    Either/Or or Both/And?

    It is sometimes difficult to know how to follow Jesus. It is sometimes difficult to encounter a situation, look to Scripture, and know how to live in a distinctly Christian way. Often it seems there are two options before us that appear to stand opposite one another. Do we respond by expressing truth or by…

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    A La Carte (February 21)

    A La Carte: The heavy seasons of life / Going against the grain / Should we call God mother? / If faithfulness isn’t the highest priority / A heart for adoption / and more.

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    A La Carte (February 20)

    A La Carte: Defining healthy masculinity / The women who disappeared / Dear older women / When leaders fall, are you next? / A Storm in the Desert / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Building Churches

    Building Churches Out of Other Churches

    What is your church really made of? Or perhaps better said, who is your church really made of? This is something we all do well to ponder from time to time, for there are good ways and bad ways, better ways and worse ways to fill a church.

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    A La Carte (February 19)

    A La Carte: Don’t let your fears hold back your children / Denominations in an age of online over-exposure / Full-circle prayers / Secret things and revealed things / Building habits / John Mark Comer’s view of God / and more.