bosalisbury.com Posts

Published April 1, 2015 by

Seven Myths About a Pastor’s Workweek

Clock

It is an old joke, one that is still told too often. You go up to your pastor and say, “I wish I had your job; you only have to work one hour each week.” It is likely your pastor will laugh or smile at your comment. In reality your pastor is likely hurt by your statement.

Or, put another way: Here’s a good-natured, self-deprecating jab via Dick Lucas:

“The Christian minister: six days invisible and one day incomprehensible.”

Personally? This one hit closest to home:

Myth #7: The pastor’s workweek is low stress compared to others. I believe pastors have one of the most difficult and stressful jobs on earth.

… Read the rest

Church • Ecclesiology Leadership Planting

Published March 27, 2015 by

FactChecker: Are All Christian Denominations in Decline?

Nope, you don’t want to believe everything you read. Christianity in America, particularly the Evangelical stream, is certainly under pressure from all sides. But, is the situation as dire as some like to think? Joe Carter takes on the doomsday crowd , beginning his factcheck on this nugget of conventional wisdom:

In a recent interview in which she announced she had joined the Episcopal Church, Rachel Held Evans said,

“Just about every denomination in the American church— including many evangelical denominations — is seeing a decline in numbers, so if it’s a competition, then we’re all losing, just at different rates.”

… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Leadership Planting

Published March 21, 2015 by

Your Unremarkable Days by Jon Bloom

Have you ever found yourself suddenly emerging from a blur of flashing lights and activity, slowing down to a crawl like the Millennial Falcon leaving light speed?  You take a breath, look around and wonder where all those days went. Jon Bloom has some good news for those of us who feel like we’re rushing at breakneck speed through the mundane: but, first he sets it up like this:

Let the unremarkable years of Genesis speak to you. A few days of your life are remarkable, containing events and experiences where you see God’s providence with startling clarity and when your faith and life course are indelibly and memorably shaped.

… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion

Published February 28, 2015 by

On The Waterfront: A Missional Movie Moment

It’s been said that the Bible is a treasure-trove of stories that translate into great film. Last night, I watched On The Waterfront for the second or third time and finally got it: The film is chock full of Biblical themes and Christ is exalted throughout this wonderful love story!

First, On The Waterfront is a story of young love. That’s what captivated me the first time around. This ironic romance involves a disgraced boxer and union thug, Terry, and Edie, the sister of a man who was murdered for exposing corruption on the waterfront. Edie doesn’t know that Terry was the one who set up her brother, Joey.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Film Leadership Planting

Published February 11, 2015 by

Advice for a New Elder on The Gospel Coalition

Character is king when it comes to church leadership. In fact, the best commentators on 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 will tell you that the qualities enumerated there don’t say as much about “what the elder ((The New Testament uses the terms elder, pastor, overseer or their various other translations, such as shepherd or bishop, interchangeably. This NT vocabulary serves to illustrate or emphasize the character and various functions of the leader(s) in local Christian communities. So, when I speak of elders, pastors or overseers on this blog, I am referring to the same leaders within a church – an elder is a pastor and an overseer.… Read the rest

Leadership Planting

Published February 10, 2015 by

Book Notice: Michael Langford on Liberal Theology

I know it may sound cynical and even presumptuous to impute motives, but I have to come clean. Any time I see a move towards classical liberal theology, from a more conservative view, I have the same thoughts as Michael Bird does. But, he is able to articulate it in a clearer and more memorable fashion:

I think Langford fails to recognize that what drives much of liberal theology is not so much rationality, but culture, the attempt to make Christianity palatable to the reigning cultural zeitgeist. That is why I’ve often thought of liberal theology as theological form of “Stockholm syndrome,” where liberal theologians identify with the values of their cultural captors in order to survive under adversity or strive to impress their contemporaries.

… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Religion

Published February 6, 2015 by

The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation

So, The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation came up with this cool graphic. I like it – I see God as the Superpower behind my survival. But, he’s more than a power, He’s a person and we have seen His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Anyway, why quibble? Maybe you don’t believe in God. But, those of us who have survived NF are just grateful to be alive and thankful for the caring, skilled hands of the physicians and caregivers who worked so hard to save us. We are also blessed by the support and prayers of family and friends — those other superheroes.… Read the rest

Life After NF

Published February 4, 2015 by

Well-Intentioned Dragons #3 New and Improved

Ministering to Problem PeopleMy new and improved edition of Ministering to Problem People in Your Church: What to Do With Well-Intentioned Dragons arrived in the mail last week and a quick perusal shows some needed updates and timely material in the original chapters. It also sports one of the most simple and attractive covers I’ve seen in a while (I’m a minimalist, in the tradition of the Swiss school).

Marshall Shelley has added two new chapters, which reflect our times. First, he grapples with the emergence of the internet and the challenges of social media that didn’t exist when the book was first published back in 1994.… Read the rest

Church • Ecclesiology Leadership Planting

church leadership Well-Intentioned Dragons

Published January 26, 2015 by

Well-Intentioned Dragons #2 Failure to Lead

well-intentioned dragons coverWith my first post about Ministering to Problem People in Your Church: What to Do With Well-Intentioned Dragons, I wanted to kick off the series on a positive or constructive tack, rather than just whining or blaming. Every church, going all the way back to Corinth and beyond, has had its share of folks who pass over the threshold of acceptable or normal misbehaving and into those super-descriptive, unflattering Scriptural categories reserved for the worst cases: they are gossips, slanderers, divisive persons, judgmental and evil, wild waves, and blemishes on your love feasts. ((1 Timothy 6:13, Titus 3:9, James 2:4, Jude)) The Lord is not pleased with those who trouble the church. From… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Leadership Planting Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter Well-Intentioned Dragons

Published January 25, 2015 by

Downton Abbey — What Are Americans Really Watching?

Downton Abbey

They are not merely watching an historical drama, they are witnessing the passing of a world. And that larger story, inadequately portrayed within Downton Abbey, is a story that should not be missed. That story is part of our own story as well. It is the story of the modern age arriving with revolutionary force, and with effects that continue to shape our own world.

Read Al Mohler’s essay at
Downton Abbey — What Are Americans Really Watching? – AlbertMohler.com.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion

Published January 22, 2015 by

Get More Rings in Your Tree

Get More Rings in Your Tree from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

The Gospel Coalition has a number of good videos and this one is worth watching and not so much because of the people they name, who actually influenced them: when all is said and done they only name a few! Rather, what I found most valuable are the reasons why they urge us to read, watch or listen to a variety of Christian thinkers, leaders, and noteworthy historical figures, after reading our Bibles. The panel is mainly addressing preachers or leaders, but I think their advice is sound for any Jesus follower.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Leadership

C.S. Lewis D.A. Carson John Piper jonathan Edwards Tim Keller u

Published January 16, 2015 by

Mandatory Reading for the Church Leader

well-intentioned dragons coverYeah, I’m really put off, too, when someone says, “you just have to read this.” But, if you’re leading the church in any capacity and especially if you are an idealistic young (or, not so young) church planter or minister, this book is a gem.

I wish someone would have pointed me to it back in 1994, when it was first published. Of course, at that time I probably wouldn’t have thought it that helpful. After all, I had my Bible and the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I was part of a young, growing movement of Christians, multiplying and establishing on-fire churches and ministries.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered Leadership Missional Communities Planting

church church planting Well-Intentioned Dragons wolves

Published January 5, 2015 by

New Years Resolution as a Form of Repentance?

Let’s start out 2015 on a positive note. Have you ever thought of a New Years Resolution as repentance — turning away from sin or indifference and back around onto a more Gospel oriented course for the future? Scott Thomas thinks so and I’m inclined to agree with him. Perhaps this more manageable, year-end sort of reflection on how our hearts are churning out idols, ((“From this we may gather that man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols…” John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion in two volumes, Westminster Press: Philadelphia, 1977, page 108))  may be more effective (and, certainly less painful and hurtful to others) than cruising along until we’ve foundered upon the rocks of sin and self.… Read the rest

Gospel-Centered Leadership Planting

Published January 2, 2015 by

A Little Help For Leaders

Christian theologian Francis Schaeffer once wrote:

in God’s sight there are no little people and no little places. Only one thing is important: to be consecrated persons in God’s place for us, at each moment. No Little People

This should be very heartening because, like me, in the grand scheme of things you will probably find yourself serving the Lord as one of the little people. There: I said it. I hope this wounding truth won’t drive you away. It’s not my intention to discourage or disparage you but, rather, to remind you that if you know who you are in Jesus and are consecrated or set apart to God and for His purposes, your little efforts may play a disproportionately large part in His plans.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Leadership Planting

Published December 21, 2014 by

For God and the Salvation of Souls

The ministerial work must be carried on purely for God and the salvation of souls… They who engage in this as a common work, to make a trade of it for their worldly livelihood, will find that they have chosen a bad trade, though a good employment. Self-denial is of absolute necessity in every Christian, but it is doubly necessary in a minister, as without it he cannot do God an hour’s faithful service. Hard studies, much knowledge, and excellent preaching, if the ends be not right is but more glorious hypocritical sinning. Reverend Richard Baxter ((Baxter The Reformed Pastor pg.

… Read the rest

Blogging Christianity • Religion Leadership Planting Richard Baxter Uncategorized

Published November 30, 2014 by

Help My Unbelief by John Newton

Help My Unbelief

I know the Lord is nigh
and would but cannot pray
For Satan meets me when I try
And frights my soul away
And frights my soul away

I would but cannot sing,
guilt has untuned my voice
My sin, just like the serpent’s sting
Has poisoned all my joys
Has poisoned all my joys

Chorus

Help my unbelief
My help must come from Thee
I would but cannot love,
though wooed by love divine
No arguments have power to move
A soul as base as mine
A soul as base as mine

I would but cannot rest
in God’s most holy will
I know what He appoints is best
And murmur at it still
I murmur at it still

Chorus

I would but can’t repent,
though I endeavor oft
This stony heart can ne’er relent
Til Jesus makes it soft
Til Jesus makes it soft

Wilt Thou not crown at length
the work Thou hast begun?… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Music

Amazing Grace hymns John Newton Red Mountain

Published November 23, 2014 by

Profiteering Prophets

“For we are, alas, only too familiar with alluring prophets. We have seen them crumble into fragments.

We have seen them bring the Wholly Other into disrepute, by being themselves no more than ‘very strange.'” Karl Barth

Over on Pyromaniac a while back, there was s a discussion of the role of prophecy in the modern church, which began with Rubber Prophecies and a brief account of two of the “very strange” pseudo-prophets bouncing them. It’s amazing what a wide-ranging and informative overview you can get in the comments that followed.

Since then, we’ve had the Strange Fire brouhaha and the resulting fallout.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Wacky • Weird

Published November 17, 2014 by

Following God Can End Badly • Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler gets this so right. He lives up to the ideal of a shepherd of souls portrayed in the Scriptures, with wisdom beyond his years — he is an elder ((The New Testament uses the terms <em>elder</em>, <em>pastor/shepherd</em>, <em>overseer/bishop </em> interchangeably. This NT vocabulary serves to illustrate or emphasize the character and functions of the leader(s) in local Christian communities. So, when I speak of elders, pastors, or overseers on this blog I am referring to the same leaders within a church – <em>an elder is a pastor and an overseer.</em>)). It’s evident he takes the Bible seriously and has read Christian biography.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Leadership Planting

Published November 6, 2014 by

Being Human: The Nature of Spiritual Experience by Jerram Barrs and Ranald Macaulay

Being Human The Nature of Spiritual Experience Jerram Barrs Ranald MacCaulayBeing Human: The Nature of Spiritual Experience (BH) by Jerram Barrs and Ranald Macaulay – this book appeared at a crucial time in my walk as a young Christian and exerted a powerful influence on my entire life. Its message continues to play a valuable role, causing me to examine and evaluate the perpetual and ubiquitous ebb and flow of new movements, trendy philosophies and sure-fire techniques, rising and receding within the contemporary Christian culture. America has been appropriately described as a disposable society and the church has not only adopted a superficial, sanctified brand of consumerism, but might even teach the folks up on the Mad Avenue a few tricks!… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered Planting

culture Gospel Jesus sanctification

Published October 29, 2014 by

Timothy Keller: Belief in an Age of Skepticism?

Here’s an “oldie but goodie” from March 4, 2008, at The University of California, Berkeley

Timothy Keller begins by stating the concern that belief  in religion and Christianity, in particular, is  “too divisive in a free democratic society” People with strong religious convictions, “feel impelled… to impose those beliefs and… to really oppress and marginalize people.” He concedes, “I do think that religion is part of the problem with the world,” but goes on to state that robust, crunchy religion is on the ascendancy, so we must find a way to deal with exclusive truth claims. Get a drink and snack, settle in and give him a listen.… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Religion

apologetics atheism Christianity • Religion exclusivist philosophy skepticism Tim Keller truth Veritas Forum

Published October 23, 2014 by

Spooky and Sad

I originally wrote this post back in 2005, after being wowed by the web design of Hillman Curtis.

Wanna see something spooky… and, beautiful? Follow the hillmancurtis link. Just keep watching. And, be sure to look at his work. I heard he was moving to Nevada County, but haven’t seen him yet.

The link no longer takes you to the video that was featured back then, but a collection of his work. I just learned today that he died back in 2012 and now I’m sad.

O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!

… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture

Published October 11, 2014 by

Blogs, Boors and Barth

Blogging is a dangerous business for the Christian to engage in: particularly when commenting on culture, politics, religion, art, humor, sexuality or other volatile subject matter.

One can come off sounding self-righteous and condescending, as I often do — being boorish. Then, there’s also guilt by association: “That’s fine coming from the religion that gave us the Inquisition, the Crusades and the Salem Witch Hunts.” From the other direction, you open yourself up to insults by, so-called Christians, who want to hunt down witches, launch a crusade against the infidels or turn you over to the inquisitors! Indeed:

Sufferings must be the Churches most ordinary lot, and Christians indeed must be self-denying Cross-bearers, even where there are none but formal nominal Christians to be the Cross-makers… Richard Baxter

I was studying Paul’s letter to the Romans and reached for Karl Barth’s classic commentary.… Read the rest

Blogging Christianity • Religion Religion

Published October 8, 2014 by

Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call To Restore Biblical Church Leadership

512YfhhKXNL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_Alexander Strauch’s Biblical Eldership (BE) packs the most thorough exposition of relevant passages concerning elders in the Bible into one volume, while offering a spirited and compelling apologetic for the practice of non-clerical, plural leadership in the local church. But, it’s not just for church leaders – all readers will find a clear and well-reasoned appeal to all Christians to practice a humble, relational style of Christianity modeled after Jesus Christ. And, even if you do not find Alex Strauch’s model or paradigm ultimately convincing and advocate a monarchical episcopacy or congregational form of church government, I guarantee you will be challenged, inspired and equipped to take your ministry, whatever it may be, more seriously and you will serve with greater passion and effectiveness.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered Leadership Planting Religion

Published October 3, 2014 by

J.I. Packer Is A Gentleman

J.I. Packer is a true gentleman. He read my biography of Richard Baxter and mailed me a copy of his book, A Grief Sanctified, along with a thoughtful note. This is the second time I’ve received a personal communication from the world-class theologian and author of the classic, Knowing God. The first was back around 1988, when he sent me a detailed, thorough reply to a question about ecclesiology, along with a fairly lengthy paper (which he obviously read).

I’ve learned something through all my research and writing adventures over the years. The great ones are generous with their time, their writings, and their knowledge.… Read the rest

Books • Literature Christianity • Religion Richard Baxter

A Grief Sanctified Alex Strauch F.F. Bruce Geoffrey Bromiley Good Mr. Baxter J.I. Packer James Boice Knowing God Leon Morris puritans Richard Baxter

Published October 1, 2014 by

Denise: How Do I Love Thee?

IMG_9668How do I love thee? I love thee for thine funky retro greeting cards that thou dost findeth in thrift stores. Man, I hate trying to write prose in Elizabethan English. Anyway, when we bought our home from Mrs. Brass in 1997, we also took possession of a huge stash of greeting cards from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. That supply ran out a couple of years ago, so Denise scours the thrift stores and eBay to find the finest cards for loved ones. That’s one way Denise demonstrates her affection – by sending folks cool special occasion cards. Here is the one she gave me this year for Valentine’s Day.… Read the rest

Family • Friends Vintage • Retro • Kitsch