California Celebration 2021: Three Churches. Two Days. One Mission.

Q. Why would 200 people from 3 different California Sovereign Grace Churches pack their bags, load up their cars, and travel 2 hours into the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest to spend the weekend together?

A. To attend our California Celebration! The purpose of this gathering was to worship and seek the Lord together, to build unity, and to be renewed in our vision, purpose, and calling as churches living in Southern California.

Three Churches.

Sovereign Grace Church of Orange (Eric Turbedsky), Cross of Grace Santa Ana (Kyle Houlton), and Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena (Ron Boomsma) held a weekend church retreat in October at the Tahquitz Pines Conference Center in Idyllwild, CA. Our churches are located in three disparate cities in Southern California. We have many differences between us in terms of age, style, demographics, and church culture, but we have this in common: we each possess a commitment to God’s Word, to Sovereign Grace Churches’ shared values, a desire to see the gospel preached and more churches planted in California!

Two Days.

We spent two days together cheering teammates on as we competed for the California Churches trophy; talking as we strolled from our cabins to the sessions; lingering over meals with new friends; and taking lots of pictures of this soul-reviving and spirit-renewing experience of fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters from other churches. And, most importantly, we were refreshed in worship and in God’s word together and because we know that we were meant to relate like this: in person, face to face, authentically, and biblically with others.

One Mission: Spreading the Joy of Jesus to every Californian.

Our California pastors (plus a guest speaker, Derek Overstreet from Tucson) taught from the book of Jonah to challenge, inspire and equip us in this mission.

Session Audios:

• Great Mercy - Jonah 1 (Eric)

• Deep Work - Jonah 2 (Ron)

• The Church in the City - Jonah 3 (Kyle)

• God’s Heart - Jonah 4 (Derek)

The teachings were rich, challenging, and convicting and we left the retreat with these highlights:

• Understanding and marveling in God’s great mercy to us and to others

• Remembering our purpose in living here - in Southern California

• Recognizing our mission and calling while living in our own “Nineveh”

• Being challenged and convicted in our attitudes toward the people in our neighborhoods, cities, and state. Are they enemies to hate and flee from or are they unbelievers to love and share God’s mercy with?

• Is our heart toward people like Jonah’s or Jesus’?

• “There’s always a boat in the dock at Tarshish for those who are looking to flee” (but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s God’s will).

• Re-orienting our hearts and minds to reflect biblical priorities and God’s heart

• Praying to grow in our love for California and the mission God has given us to reach people in our cities with the gospel.

• Returning to our cities and neighborhoods with renewed faith

So, was it worth it to set aside this weekend and spend it in Idyllwild with the 3 Californian churches? The answer is a resounding yes!  This was time well spent in the beautiful San Jacinto mountains, in the middle of a pine forest retreat setting - away from our normal, pressure-packed lives- in order to hear what God is saying to us.

We didn’t just spend time together this weekend, we invested it as we built new friendships, reconnected with old friends, forged alliances between churches, grew in love and unity with one another, and created shared memories. We left the retreat renewed by God’s Spirit and the Word and infused with faith for our mission: to share the joy of Jesus with every Californian.

Tami Boomsma is the wife of Ron Boomsma. Together, they have been at Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena for more than 30 years.

Team Health Evaluation Tool

Pastoring on a pastoral team is an honor and a gift...and also a road marked by pitfalls.  Conflict, poor communication, and relational disunity on a pastoral team can lead to discouraged and weary pastors, and eventually, can diminish the unity and health of the whole church.

On a recent Zoom call with Sovereign Grace pastors, Mark Prater, Mickey Connolly, and I discussed the importance of ongoing study, intentional evaluation, and faithful growth in our team effectiveness. In order to support that effort, we referenced the following tool that Sovereign Grace teams can use, in conjunction with their regional leader, to evaluate and coordinate conversation about the current health and effectiveness of their teams.

We pray that it will serve ongoing team unity and strength as we all labor together for the good of God's people and the progress of the gospel.

---

Responsible Reporting

In this fourth and final video for 2021 from the RCSM, Aaron Mayfield and Greg Love from Ministry Safe discuss the very important topic of responsible reporting. You can also access this and other resources on the RCSM main page.

---

Responsible Reporting from MinistrySafe on Vimeo.

---

Aaron Mayfield serves as a bi-vocational elder at Redemption Hill Church in Round Rock, Texas.

Greg Love is an attorney and the co-founder of Ministry Safe.

Invaluable Resources for Families

I’ve been a long-time admirer of our own Marty Machowski’s books for children.  (Marty has been a pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church for many years.) I recently was looking for one of his books to purchase on Amazon and was amazed to see that he had published more material than I had ever realized.  And I wondered if many of you weren’t in the same boat.  So I asked Marty if he would please provide me with a list of all his works with a brief description.  So here it is.  My hope is that these will serve you and your local churches, and especially your parents, in many ways for many years.

---

Jesus Saves

It’s odd the things that stick in your mind from childhood. One such thing for me is seeing big billboards as a kid – JESUS SAVES. Growing up as a little Catholic kid, I wondered why in the world anyone would put up such a billboard. It was only when I was 28 years old, and Jesus actually saved me that I began to comprehend the full weight of that simple message.

There are a lot of places to go to unpack this profound truth, but I know of no better than Matthew 1:21-23, so you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins…and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means God with us).

God with us to save us from our sins!! The most stupendous message ever heard. 

First, Jesus is God with us. One man called the incarnation the central miracle of Christianity. The incarnation is the first act of the gospel, and the rest of the gospel cascades down from that first act. In 1 John 4:2, John tells us that the fundamental test of any true or false teacher/spirit is that “every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” Jesus coming in the flesh shows His preexistence. 

He came from someplace, His eternal place as the second person of the Trinity. His coming shows His purpose and ability to save. He didn’t come just to show up and hang out, but to “seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) And as God come in the flesh, He is able to save because it was as both fully God (for only God can pay the atoning price for sin) and fully man (for only man ought to pay it) that He came. Finally, Paul tells us that His resurrection was the Father’s declaration that He was indeed “the Son of God.” (Romans 1:4)

The gospel is the story of what He did to save. His incarnation and sinless life qualified Him to be the perfect, sinless, substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:21 captures this – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” What one man called “the amazing exchange.” 

He rose from the dead to validate the efficacy of that sacrifice and to be the source of new life for those who believe. And now He sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven, building His church and awaiting the day when He will return to consummate His saving work.

Jesus remains the Savior, but he is not physically present with us. How then does He save? The simple yet profound answer is that He continues to save as His people share this gospel good news that Jesus saves to lost sinners. And to that end, He has equipped His people in three ways.

1. He has given us the Holy Spirit. 

The Spirit works directly by bringing spiritually dead sinners to life by His regenerating power. Apart from this work, our witness would be fruitless. 

But He also works in believers as they share. Jesus put it this way – “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) David Wells (God the Evangelist) perfectly captured this twin work of the Spirit this way - “The message proclaimed has the power to do its work not because of the evangelist’s personality or skills of persuasion (which is often what we look to) but because of the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, who alone is able to turn rebel­lious sinners into obedient followers of Christ.”

2. His word the gospel. 

Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation.” (Romans 1:16) There is power in this simple message. There may be many methods of presenting the gospel, but there is only one message. Ultimately all we do has to result in the gospel being told because the gospel is the power of God for salvation. J.I. Packer put it this way - “In the last analysis, there is only one method of evangelism: namely, the faithful explanation and application of the gospel message. From which it follows…that the test for any proposed strategy, or technique, or style, of evangelistic action must be this: will it in fact serve the word? Is it calculated to be a means of explaining the gospel truly and fully and applying it deeply and exactly?”

3. His body the church. 

We are the means through which God chooses to deliver the message that the Spirit will make effectual. Jesus saves, and He continues to save, but now he is working through his body, his representatives, the church. We serve a savior. We represent Him in his saving work. This is the great mission of the church. In Romans 10, Paul shows us the importance of this final aspect of Jesus’ ongoing saving work – “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they t preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.’”

CHARLES SPURGEON – “He is what he is called. He saves us from the punishment and the guilt of sin, and then from the ill effect and evil power of sin…It is his nature to do this, as we see in the fact that his very name is Jesus – Savior. We still call him by that name, for he still saves us in these latter days. Let us go and tell out his name among men; for he will save others.”

MinistrySafe Institute – Video

In this third video from our RCSM, Aaron Mayfield and Greg Love from Ministry Safe discuss the Ministry Safe Institute. You can also access this and other resources on the RCSM main page.

---

MinistrySafe Institute from MinistrySafe on Vimeo.

---

Aaron Mayfield serves as a bi-vocational elder at Redemption Hill Church in Round Rock, Texas.

Greg Love is an attorney and the co-founder of Ministry Safe.

Timeless Treasure: Revisiting Feminine Appeal

Over the past few months, I’ve posted a series of articles that have historically shaped our understanding of Biblical counseling, with more to come.  In line with that, I want to highlight books that shaped two of our shared values: gospel-centeredness and complementarianism.  Last month I featured C.J. Mahaney’s The Cross Centered Life.  This month, as promised, I’m featuring  Carolyn Mahaney’s Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother.

Part of my motivation for reintroducing some of this older material has to do with the fact that I have only a few more months to serve as Director of Church Development, and there are certain things I want to make sure to leave behind.  I’m not indulging in nostalgic longing for the past or a desire to return to “the good old days.”  Rather I have a sincere desire to make sure that those who have been around for a while don’t lose touch with this material and that those who are newer and those yet to come will benefit from these invaluable pieces of our history.  Before I dive in, allow me two brief comments on issues related to Feminine Appeal.

A Brief Comment on Complementarianism

Complementarianism is the biblical understanding that God created male and female equal in personhood and value but different in role and function.  This complementarian understanding has doctrinal and practical implications for both the home and the church. Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC) sees this as such a critical issue that we’ve adopted it as one of our seven shared values.  In contrast, egalitarianism claims that God created male and female equal in every respect, including equality in role and function in both the home and church.

In 1987, the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) crafted The Danvers Statement, which set forth the core beliefs of complementarianism.  In 1991, Crossway Books published Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism.  This statement and book were critical in helping SGC to clearly define our complementarian convictions.  However, from my seat, the overall trajectory of complementarianism is downhill as more and more churches and individuals have challenged and even repudiated this position.  In SGC, we must stand firm in our convictions no matter how increasingly unpopular they may become.

It’s in that climate that I think a review and reintroduction of Feminine Appeal is so vital.

A Brief Comment on Titus 2

In Titus 2:1, Paul instructs Titus to "teach what accords with sound doctrine,” i.e., what is fitting, appropriate, and proper. Interestingly, rather than launching into a systematic theology treatise, he commands teaching on very practical issues for older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and bondservants.  The ESV Study Bible says, "The theme of Titus is the inseparable link between faith and practice, belief and behavior."  Paul’s purpose in these commands is twofold:  "that the word or God may not be reviled" (v. 5); and "so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior" (v. 10).  He then encourages that it is God’s grace that will enable these various groups to obey these commands (v. 11-12).  In verse 15, Paul finishes with this strong exhortation to Titus “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority.  Let no one disregard you.”  

Within this context, Feminine Appeal unpacks for us Paul's instructions to older and younger women in verses 3-5.  We must be careful not to divorce teaching on Titus 2:3-5 from this larger context. 

Introduction

Recently AT&T Wireless featured a commercial where a guy is getting a tattoo and is concerned about how it’s going.  At one point, he asks the tattoo artist if he should be doing something differently.  The artist's memorable response was, "Stay in your lane bro."  I think that can sometimes be the response when men take up addressing women's issues.  But remember that Titus 2 was written to a pastor so that he might “teach what accords with sound doctrine.”  It’s in that spirit that I offer this review for your consideration.

Feminine Appeal (FA) doesn’t attempt to address all that needs to be said about complementarianism or all that could possibly be taught to Christian women.   Its focus is, as the title states, "Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother."  But even though it doesn't attempt to teach everything there is to say about complementarianism; it teaches some very important things - some foundational things regarding the primary focus of discipleship for younger women in the church.  

Let me start by saying some things I appreciate overall about FA.  I’ll then briefly review each chapter and close with some thoughts on using this wonderful resource.

• I appreciate how realistic, honest and sympathetic Carolyn Mahaney is. She puts herself in the middle of all the issues she addresses, not as one who has arrived but as a fellow in-process sinner and struggler.  She also continually notes how she has appropriated much gospel grace.  I think many women will read her illustrations and think, "I've thought that, I've done that,"  as well as “I can do that!!”

• I appreciate how Carolyn courageously points to sin as the root of women’s struggles with both owning and applying Titus 2’s virtues.

  My honest first reaction on rereading FA for this article was, "Wow, Carolyn sure talks about sin a lot.”  But as I reflected further, I came to appreciate her approach.  No woman can hope to grow in these virtues and experience the blessing and joy God intends through them until she identifies, repents of, and continually battles the sins that hinder that growth.  But Carolyn doesn’t only talk about sin, which is the next thing I appreciate.

• I appreciate how Carolyn faithfully points to the gospel’s grace to receive forgiveness and to change.

  In Titus 2:11-12, we are told that “the grace of God has appeared” in the person of Jesus. And now, through His gospel accomplishments, grace trains us to both “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives.”

  Carolyn appropriately speaks of sin but shouts of grace!!  So FA is always hope-filled and faith-building.

• I appreciate how Carolyn reorients women from self to God, problem to joy, sin to forgiveness, and weakness to ability.

• I appreciate how FA is scripture-saturated.  FA isn't simply good advice from an "older woman" to "younger women,"  it presents God’s words to His beloved daughters.  Older women are to “teach” and “train” younger women in these seven virtues because they are “good.”

On this final point, allow me a brief aside.  In the 18 years since FA first came out, SGC had grown and changed in a lot of ways.  Ways that I'm grateful for.  But as I've traveled around, I’ve picked up from some that FA is a bit “old fashioned, out of date, or belonging in the been there done that on to bigger and better things” category.  If you're in that category, may I appeal that you reconsider?  Scripture is never old-fashioned, out of date, or a been there done that, once-and-done subject of study.  Like everything in the Bible, Titus 2:3-5 is timeless because scripture is timeless.  May we please never move on from Titus 2 as a fundamental part of our discipleship of women or as a core part of our churches' women's ministry. 

Content

Chapter One – Transformed by Titus 2

Carolyn explains how Titus 2 has shaped her understanding of Biblical womanhood and how she has come to understand its relevance to women of all ages and seasons of life.  Its "mentoring mandate…remains both authoritative and relevant for women today.”

Also, Carolyn wisely points out that if Titus 2 is reduced to a checklist of dos and don'ts for women, we have missed the point.  The point is “the transforming effect of the gospel in the lives of women” and the way that effect is meant to adorn the gospel.  

Chapter Two – The Delight of Loving My Husband

Is it inevitable that the honeymoon will end in marriage?  No. Marital love isn’t bound to deteriorate over time.  Marriage can become richer and sweeter as the couple matures together.  Carolyn gives envisioning biblical and practical advice on how women of all ages can “love their husbands” with a “tender, affectionate, passionate kind of love."  A love that calls and enables a wife to "prize," "cherish," and "enjoy" her husband in a way that is a joy to him AND to her. 

Chapter Three – The Blessing of Loving My Children

It is contrary to nature for a woman not to love her children.  And yet, the day-to-day grind of caring for children can wear down even the godliest moms.  Carolyn helps moms identify the sins that can dampen their love for and enjoyment of their children.  But she also points out how “tender thoughts” and “tender behavior” will keep a mother’s love and enjoyment fresh.

Chapter Four – The Safety of Self Control 

Self-control is almost always mentioned when Biblical writers talk about Christian virtues, so it’s no surprise that Paul mentions it as a virtue that older women should teach the younger.  (In vs. 2 and 6, Paul enjoins the same for older and younger men)  Carolyn talks about some of the areas where self-control can be a challenge for women.  I especially appreciate how she shows self-control to be a safeguard, not a restriction, to happy living.  There really is “safety” in self-control.

Two other books by Carolyn and her daughter Nicole Whitacre, True Beauty and True Feelings, offer important expansions of some of the topics covered in this chapter.

Chapter Five – The Pleasures of Purity 

Our sexuality is a gift from God, but it is a gift that is often the source of temptation and sin because of the fall.  Carolyn explains how to fight for purity and how to enjoy the gift of sex in its proper place, the marital bed.

Chapter Six – The Honor of Working at Home

This is one of my favorite chapters.  I love the way Carolyn graciously and carefully explains the call to be a wife and mother as high and honored.   Scripture doesn't forbid a woman from working outside the home.  Nevertheless, Carolyn correctly sees that Paul expresses a biblical priority here.  A married woman’s first priority, especially once she has children, is to her home. Her best efforts and energies are to be invested in her home, and all decisions to work outside the home should be made with that priority in mind.

Chapter Seven – The Rewards of Kindness

Carolyn quotes Jerry Bridges' helpful definition: “Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others and goodness is the activities calculated to advance that happiness.”   But, if not guarded against, anger, bitterness and judgmentalism can hinder the desire for kindness and the activities of goodness.  Once those sins are dealt with, Carolyn shows a variety of ways wives and moms can cultivate these rewarding virtues. 

Chapter Eight – The Beauty of Submission 

Submission is certainly an often misunderstood command for a wife.  John Piper defines submission as “The divine calling to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership and to help carry it through according to her gifts.”  Carolyn does a superb job unpacking the whys and hows of submission as well as the effects that it is intended to have.  She clearly explains the distinction that a wife’s role is to be her husband’s helper (and husbands definitely need the help!!) and that the attitude she brings to that role is submission.

Chapter Nine – Margaret’s Story

Carolyn honors her own mom for her inspiring Titus 2 example.

So What Now?

Let me make a few simple suggestions:

• Consider how to make Feminine Appeal a regular part of your women’s ministry curriculum.   FA comes with an excellent study guide written by Carolyn’s daughter Nicole Whitacre.

• Consider how to introduce new members to our complementarian value.  As Carolyn rightly points out in one place, in America, feminism is the air that women breathe.  Further, as I mentioned earlier, evangelical feminism with its egalitarian leaning has a strong and increasing influence in the church.  Feminine Appeal is one clear, winsome resource for explaining and promoting this value.

• Because Feminine Appeal deals with virtues for a wife and mom, consider how to use it as part of your marriage and parenting classes.  Quotes and comments from the book open the door for being able to recommend it as a resource.

• If you don’t already, have it in your bookstore or at your book table.  What we feature in those places communicates what we consider important for our members to be reading and studying.  I’d also make sure you have True Beauty and True Feelings as well.

A Rich Gospel History!! A Rich Gospel Future?? Revisiting the Cross Centered Life

Introduction

Over the past few months, I’ve posted a series of articles that shaped our understanding of Biblical counseling, with more to come.  In the next two months, starting with this article, I will be highlighting books that shaped two of our shared values: complementarianism and gospel-centeredness - C.J. Mahaney’s The Cross Centered Life and Carolyn Mahaney’s Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of A Godly Wife and Mother.

Part of my motivation for reintroducing some of this older material has to do with the fact that I have only a few more months to serve as Director of Church Development, and there are certain things I want to make sure to leave behind.  I’m not indulging in a nostalgic longing for the past or a desire to return to “the good old days.”  Rather I have a sincere desire to make sure that those who have been around for a while don’t lose touch with this material and that those who are newer and those yet to come will benefit from these invaluable pieces of our history.

Boxing experts like to debate the greatest “pound for pound” fighter in history.  Such debates enable them to have a way to compare heavyweights, middleweights, and lightweights and rank their relative prowess.  There are longer books on the cross and related topics, but “pound for pound” The Cross Centered Life is, in my ranking,  the champ!!!  Its easy one-hour read provides life-altering content. 

Content

I decided the best way to introduce or reintroduce The Cross Centered Life (TCCL) is to write a brief summary of each chapter and, in most cases,  to include one or two of the more impactful quotes to hopefully whet your appetite for it all.

Chapter 1 – Restating the Obvious

There is a modern temptation, which none of us are exempt from, to want something new and different.  Given that, the wise message of TCCL is “Guard the one truth.  Keep the one message.”

When Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “for I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified,” he didn’t at all mean that he talked about nothing else, only that he was determined to relate the message of the cross to every other doctrine or practice he preached. 

JERRY BRIDGES (p.15) “The gospel is not only the most important message in all of history; it is the only essential message in all of history.  Yet we allow thousands of professing Christians to live their entire lives without clearly understanding it and experiencing the joy of living in it.” 

Chapter 2 – What’s Your Life Centered On? 

1 Corinthians 15:3 “For I delivered to  you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accord with the Scriptures.”

C.J. asks this important question:  What is of first importance, the main thing, in your life?  He then introduces the topics that tend to draw our hearts away from the gospel and uses the next three chapters to unpack them for us.

D.A. CARSON (p. 22) “I fear that the cross, without ever being disowned, is constantly in danger of being dismissed from the central place it must enjoy, by relatively peripheral insights that take on far too much weight.” 

Chapter 3 – Breaking The Rules of Legalism – How the Cross Rescues You from the Performance Trap

Legalism is always a problem because the fallen human heart always leans toward performance as a way to relate to and receive from God.  It’s one of the reasons why every religion except Christianity is rooted in what the believer must do or not do in order to be blessed by their “god.”  Remaining sin still tilts our hearts that way.

CJ defines and illustrates legalism in helpful ways.  Then he skillfully explains the relationship between and the distinction of justification and sanctification in ways that equips us to avoid legalism while still passionately pursuing holiness.

SINCLAIR FERGUSON (p. 34) “Our greatest temptation and mistake, is to try to smuggle character into God’s work of grace.”

Chapter 4 – Unloading Condemnation: How the Cross Removes Guilt and Shame

Romans 8:1  “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  So why do so many Christians live condemned or at least with constant low-grade guilt?

C.J. shows us how rather than trying to forget about or run from sin and self-examination, the cross allows us to face our sin squarely yet without condemnation, knowing that our sins have been through the cross fully forgiven.

Chapter 5 – What You Feel vs. What Is Real: Basing Your Faith in Christ’s Finished Work at the Cross

 In this chapter, C.J. tackles the problem of subjectivism.  His simple yet profound solution paraphrasing D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is “don’t listen to yourself; talk to yourself!” about the cross.

KNOX CHAMBLIN  (p. 51)  The purpose of the gospel is to “proclaim saving events, and its events remain completely unaffected by whatever is agitating our emotions.  The gospel is objective.” 

Chapter 6 – The Cross Centered Day: Practical Ways to Center Every Day around the Cross

It is all too possible for the cross to be central theologically but not functionally.  In other words, you might think rightly about the cross but not live rightly because of the cross.

C.J.’s response?  “A cross-centered life is made up of cross-centered days.”  This chapter is filled with practical ways to do just that, beginning with Jerry Bridges’ oft-quoted – “preaching the gospel to yourself” and doing it daily. 

JOHN STOTT (p.55)  “The cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough to it for its sparks to fall on us.” 

Chapter 7 – Never Move On: Put This Book on a Shelf, but Not Its Message!

Here you are challenged to ask yourself – have I moved on from the cross?

C.J. helpfully unpacks some of the “but what about” questions that, if not properly answered, can make those “what abouts” seem to be in competition with cross centeredness.  Such questions include topics like studying the Old Testament or some aspect of systematic theology;  or important aspects of gospel life like prayer, holiness, relationships, and suffering. 

DAVID PRIOR (p. 74) “We never move on from the cross, only into a more profound understanding of the cross.”

So What Now?

Let me make a few simple suggestions.

1. Make it a regular read for yourself.  I picked TCCL off my shelf because I wanted to look at it for another article I was writing.  Looking at it, I thought, “What a treasure this book is and what a dope I am for having it sitting on my shelf gathering dust instead of regularly reviewing and being refreshed by it.”

   In his endorsement, Jerry Bridges writes, “This is a book to be read and reread many times. Its message will never grow old or out of date.”  I wholeheartedly endorse that endorsement.

2. Introduce it to new members.  This book is an invaluable resource for new people to begin to understand what is most important to your local church.  I know of no better way to answer the question “What is this church all about?” than by starting here.  This isn’t all we are about, but there is nothing that we should be more about than this.

   You could give it as a gift to visitors. Some churches still give a CD song sampler, which is fine, but that doesn’t even come close to explaining ourselves to visitors as TCCL does.  If this is cost-prohibitive, I suggest giving this to people who are in your new members class.

3. Introduce or reintroduce it to current members.  Feature it in your bookstore or book table and make a special announcement about it.  Give it to fathers on Father’s Day as a way to get it into families’ hands and at the same time give it to anyone who has parents (oh yea, that’s everyone!!) but is single or a single parent.  Maybe feature it in a church book study.  Make it part of your discipleship curriculum.  These are simply ideas I came up with off the top of my head, and I’m sure you can think of many others.

Also, use it as a resource for Biblical counseling.  The three problems of legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism come up in a high percentage of counseling situations.  Every counselor should be asking, “how does the gospel relate to this problem.”  This book will point to answers.

C.J. finishes by quoting Martin Luther: “I feel as if Jesus had died only yesterday.”  Then he adds his own final thoughts: “May the reality of Christ’s death for you be that near your heart….May your every day be lived by His grace alone.  May you know the joy and peace of the cross centered life.”   In that final sentence, he both captures his heart in writing TCCL and my prayer for this article for both old, new, and future members of Sovereign Grace Churches.

TCCL in paperback can be purchased from SGC. Please email Karen Ballinger at - karen.ballinger@sovereigngrace.com - for more information.

Sexual Abuse Fire Drill – Video

In this second video from our RCSM, Aaron Mayfield and Greg Love from Ministry Safe discuss how to ensure you are as prepared as possible in the event an allegation of sexual abuse comes to your attention. They also point to a valuable resource (Sexual Abuse Fire Drill) available on this website to get you started.

---

Sexual Abuse Fire Drill from MinistrySafe on Vimeo.

---

Aaron Mayfield serves as a bi-vocational elder at Redemption Hill Church in Round Rock, Texas.

Greg Love is an attorney and the co-founder of Ministry Safe.

The Top 10 Myths That Keep Us from Sharing the Gospel

I love Top 10 lists, especially the ones on Sports Center, which rank the greatest successes (and sometimes failures) in sports.  There’s even a website dedicated to the Top 10 of everything.  There’s something that pulls us in when it comes to rankings and lists like this.

Like sports, evangelism requires action and dedication, so let’s consider the Top 10 myths that keep us from sharing the gospel--something infinitely more important than a list of best college basketball teams. Here’s my shot at it. I’d love to hear your additions to the list.

1.     It’s too scary.

It can be. But the sinful nature likes to make it seem much worse than it is. The truth is that there is nothing in this life that will bring you as much joy as seeing someone come to know the forgiveness of their sins through Christ. There is some fear, but there is also joy on the other side.  So what do we do with the fear? Do what the disciples did. Pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit and for boldness to overcome your fear and share the great news.

2.     I’m going to be persecuted.

People are much more open to hearing the gospel than we are in sharing it. Yes, there are people who are hostile and defensive. But many are willing to interact, especially when we show love and care and ask good questions before sharing what we believe. Even if we do get some persecution, Jesus tells us that we are blessed when that happens. 

3.     We must “earn the right to be heard.”

” While there is merit in the idea of gaining a hearing, the notion of “earning the right to be heard” can tempt us to keep the gospel to ourselves. People all around us are making bold assertions about what is right and true. But we have the truth that God has called us to share with a world that desperately needs it.  We need to do that sensitively and persuasively.

4.     My neighbors, co-workers, and friends already know what I believe.

This might be wishful thinking. They may have noticed that you’re a kind church-goer, but do they understand how Jesus has changed your life and can change theirs? It’s better to ask than assume. You might discover that people all around you have all sorts of false notions about God and what it means to be a Christian.

5.     My neighbors, co-workers, and friends already know what they believe.

We often assume others have thought about their spiritual beliefs to the extent we have. But many people haven’t considered spiritual issues deeply, even though they might have a few rehearsed objections in their back pockets.  We need to lovingly discern these “smoke screens” and talk about the core issues that keep a person away from God.

6.     People aren’t interested.

People are much more interested than we realize, especially with the pandemic and the difficult year it was for so many.  People are lonely, confused, depressed, and very open to friendship.  Our initiative and care can go a long way in building bridges for the gospel.

7.     We can witness without words.

By definition, a witness is “one who testifies.” What if all the witnesses in a court were not allowed to speak? As Christians, our actions need to be consistent with our words, but they are not a substitute for them. Our lives testify to the transforming effect of the gospel, but it is the power of the gospel that saves.

8.     I must have all the answers.

I’ll let Paul comment here: “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). If Paul didn’t let weakness stop him, neither should we!

9.     I must have a close long-term relationship with someone before I can share the gospel with them.

While a close friendship helps, the gospel’s inherent power is not bound by our personal connections. God may bring people across our path, for even a brief time, by his sovereign design, in order that we would share the message of Christ with them. Remember the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-4)?  It was the Holy Spirit who prompted Philip to share with him.  And the Holy Spirit wants to prompt us to do the same.  Let’s pray and ask God to guide us in this way.

10.  Sharing the gospel is inherently confrontational.

Most people are uncomfortable with confrontation. Sharing your faith should be a conversation, not a confrontation. Although there is a very real battle taking place in the spiritual realm, on a personal level, people need to know that we genuinely care about them. We need to refine the art of asking good questions and listening. If someone is clearly uncomfortable discussing God, then we should back off.  But remember what Spurgeon said: “They may prevent your speaking, but they cannot prevent your praying.”