Category Archives: Christianity

Gross sin & sordid gain in Florida ministry

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Just this week the elders of CPCC reviewed the biblical qualifications for an elder, from three key NT passages (1st Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1st Peter 5). The moral bar is set high for those who would lead God’s people. Remember to pray for your elders.And pray for the Lord to clean house of those who should NOT be in ministry. A recent Tampa Tribune online aritcle announced:

Randy and Paula White, the founders and co-pastors of what has been one of the nation’s biggest and fastest-growing churches, plan to divorce. Members of Without Walls International Church reacted with tears and a chorus of “Oh, no’s” after the Whites’ announcement at Thursday night’s service. Randy called Paula to the podium about an hour into the service. He was somber; Paula appeared choked up. “It’s the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make in my entire life,” he told the congregation, describing Paula as an exceptional woman, mother and preacher. She pledged to return frequently to preach.

I am nearly at a loss for words. What a horrific and public sin on the part of this couple and also on the part their “church”! Where is church discipline to divest them from any form of ministry? What sort of Christian would sit under any ministry led by such people? May the Lord deal swiftly with all who bring such disrepute to the gospel!!

Preaching’s priority

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God’s people have always been created by God’s Word.  From creation in Genesis 1 to the call of Abram in Genesis 12, from the vision of the valley of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 to the coming of the living Word, Jesus Christ — God has always created his people by His Word. 

So writes Dr Mark Dever in his excellent new little book, WHAT IS A HEALTHY CHURCH (pp. 66-67).  He continues…. 

As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Or, as he wrote to the Corinthians, “Since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (1 Cor. 1:21).Sound, expositional preaching is often the fountainhead of true growth in a  church. Martin Luther found that carefully attending to God’s Word began a reformation.  We, too, must commit to seeing that our churches are always being reformed by the Word of God.