Ministry Built on a “Foolish,” Cross-Shaped Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
CrossWay Community Church
January 8th, 2023
See all other content in this series.
Ministry Built on a “Foolish,” Cross-Shaped Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)
Confronting Christianity and The Secular Creed by Rebecca McLaughlin (Book Recommendations)
In her books Confronting Christianity and The Secular Creed, Rebecca McLaughlin excellently helps us think through some of the most pressing issues and challenges facing Christianity in culture today.
What Are Deacons? (with Matt Smethurst)
The Bible presents two offices (or formal positions) within the local church: elders (also called overseers and pastors) and deacons, which means “servants.” But what exactly are deacons? Who should serve as a church’s deacons? How are deacons meant to function? And why are they so very, very important to the health and mission of a church? Matt Smethurst joins us to discuss these matters and more.
Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)
From Womb to Tomb: On Being Pro-Life for the Whole Life (with Karen Swallow Prior)
What does it mean to be pro-life? Is it simply being anti-abortion (pro-birth)? Or is it something more? Karen Swallow Prior joins us to share, not only why we as Christians oppose abortion, but also how the same ethic that forms this opposition entails consistent care for human life.
Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)
10 Reasons for Practicing Formal Church Membership: The Case for Defining Who Makes Up the Church
- The gospel saves, not just individuals, but a people that take the form of local communities (churches).
- These churches have definable boundaries—who it is that makes up the church.
- The NT depicts the Christian life occurring in the context of the local church.
- The church is a community of believers. So we don’t want to assume someone to be a part of our church without confirming they are in fact a believer.
- People belong to a church voluntarily. So we don’t want to assume someone to be a part of our church without them agreeing to it.
- In order to discipline someone out of the church, they first need to be considered a part of the church.
- Being able to identify who makes up our church clarifies who actually represents our church, thereby guarding our testimony.
- In order to conduct our affairs as a church (e.g., voting), we need to know who makes up the church.
- Elders/pastors need to know who they are accountable for.
- Members need to know who they are accountable to (which elders/pastors?)
Kirk E. Miller 