Posts

CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP

Image
  The germination of a scholarly book takes time. Seeds were planted during the process of writing a doctoral dissertation at Dallas Seminary in 1999. Growth came through the development of a presentation for the MacDonald Lectures at Central Baptist Seminary and the preparation of articles published by Shepherd’s Seminary, the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal , and Gloria Deo Journal of Theology. Now the full plant has emerged in the form of a new book called My Sheep Follow Me , published by Kregel Academic. Dr. Jon Pratt explained the process in an interview with Micah Tanis on the Central Seminary Podcast Videos, episode 79, which can be viewed on You Tube. The subtitle for Dr. Pratt’s book is “A Study of Perseverance and the Threat of Antinomianism.” The book surveys New Testament teachings about sanctification. It explores what progress toward holiness looks like and reminds Christians that all those who belong to Christ, who are His sheep, will follow Him by living h...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE EASTER HYMN

Image
  The sermon abounded with Easter imagery, hosannah, cross, and empty tomb. But one phrase caught attention: He came with the lambs. Bethlehem, surrounded by shepherd’s fields. Shepherd boys rushing to discover the babe in the manger. He came with the lambs. Jerusalem, sacrificial lambs crowding the very streets where a donkey carried Christ for the triumphal entry. Preparations for the Passover. He came with the lambs. The lyrics and music flowed. Allow the theme and thought to penetrate your heart and soul as well. Click the following link and make “He Came With the Lambs” part of your Easter celebration. Sing it. Offer it to one of your soloists at church. Include it free of charge in your Easter services. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18pph-V6ayL7Z6F7qnzHY6waQ-Rt2OebM/view?usp=sharing “Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NKJV). He came with the Lambs.
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE INVESTIGATION

Image
  The Bible College movement has supported and furthered the work of the church for many years. Now, some of those schools have closed.   Who Killed the Bible College?   suggests a lineup of (un)usual suspects, not for the purpose of assigning blame, but in the hope that further deaths may be avoided. It would be easy to focus on one culprit and make that suspect the scapegoat. Extensive research reveals a cumulative effect from many problems Bible colleges face. By considering each subject in the lineup sequentially, it is hoped that decisions in many individual areas may prevent that cumulative effect leading to further demise. Churches today desperately need the pastors, missionaries, musicians, teachers and biblically trained laymen historically produced by the Bible College movement. Perhaps by taking an honest look at the past we can solve potential problems before they take an even greater toll on our schools. Twenty-four (un)usual suspects are listed, along with a...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE PRAISE

Image
              We entered the auditorium of Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, in great anticipation. Let the Children Praise, a choir directed by Al Hawkins, would be performing. We had heard the choir before and knew the afternoon would be a tremendous blessing.             To our surprise, another performance would make the day even better. The first part of the concert featured soloists who had sung with the children’s choir in previous years. One of those soloists was someone we recognized immediately.             Brianne Ulrich presented two piano solos, Liebestraum , by Franz List, and All Creatures of Our God and King , by Ralph Vaughn Williams.             Brianne’s mother came from our church in Missoula, Montana, to Pillsbury Baptist Bibl...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE CARE

Image
  When I pastored the Bible Baptist Church of Missoula, Montana, Judd Lee served as our bus captain, bringing many children to hear the Word of God. Though many years have passed, the Lees have proved faithful to God in their care for those in need of the gospel. Judd’s wife Lisa returned recently from a trip to Kenya with her church. Their work lay primarily in the Mathare Valley where roughly 600,000 people live in only six square miles. Hope’s Promise works there to provide care for many orphans. Statistics do not tell the whole story. One of those with whom Lisa worked described the experience this way. “You have to walk there, your feet treading the dirt, the trash, the sewage. You must be taken by the hand by your 13-year-old guide and led like a child through the bustling, crowded paths. You must stand in the church in the midst of it all, lift your hands and sing.” The ministry included serving at the Sanctuary of Hope, one of the Hope’s Promise orphan care homes. Lis...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE INTERIM PASTORATE

Image
  The Bible often speaks of a local church as a flock and its pastor as a shepherd. When a pastor resigns or retires, that flock needs a new shepherd, but the candidating process can take months or sometimes even years. Gospel Fellowship Association in Greenville, South Carolina, provides a solution. They have a team of retired pastors who serve as interim shepherds in various states. Altogether this team of men represents nearly 1,000 years of experience. Pastor Paul Stevenson writes, “What an amazing privilege to serve with these dedicated servants.” He has completed four assignments as an interim, with the fourth church recently calling a pastor on January 4, 2026. Churches, and the pastors who serve with Gospel Fellowship Association, agree to a document called “Expectations in the Interim Ministry.” These include ministering the Word of God, being a person of integrity, providing spiritual leadership in helping to find a pastor, leading the church staff, and evangelizing...
Post a Comment
Read more

CREATIVE PUZZLE

Image
  It has been going on for years. The kids would ask what Carmen wanted for Christmas, and the answer would be the same. Current pictures of the family. This year they all took her at her word. All of them. The ones from Georgia and Pennsylvania and Minnesota. The in-laws and out-laws. Our immediate children and their spouses. The newlyweds and their spouses. And all the grandchildren. Everyone in one big picture. However, there was a catch. We had to put it all together because the pictures were part of a 1014-piece puzzle. Chad and Sarah planned it and ordered the puzzle from Snapfish. Carmen and I loved putting it together and planned to glue it and mount it, which may still happen one day. But the immediate plan is to disassemble it. We have a family reunion planned this summer and we want everyone to have a chance to work on it together. What fun that will be! We have assembled many puzzles over the years. But we have no doubt that this is indeed the best puzzle ever...
Post a Comment
Read more