Culture

Book Review: Immeasurable, by Skye Jethani

By Aaron Menikoff | 02.12.2018

This book offers a thoughtful pushback against the pragmatic ministry mindset.

A Word of Empathy, Warning, and Counsel for “Narrow” Complementarians

By Jonathan Leeman | 02.08.2018

I might disagree with Piper on women teaching in seminaries, but before I scream “Injustice!” I should recognize that this is a jagged-line issue, and he can make a different yet still reasonable judgment than me.

Should You Excommunicate Someone Who Joins an “Open & Affirming” Congregation?

By Andy Johnson | 9Marks Journal: Church Discipline: Medicine for the Body | 01.09.2018

Should churches excommunicate someone who joins an “open and affirming” congregation?

Mailbag #69: How Do I Know When It’s Time to Step Down? . . . The Wisdom of Having a Lay Elder in Politics

By B. Johnson, J. Leeman | 12.01.2017

— Ministry is a roller coaster. How do I know if I should step down? — How does a church navigate having a lay elder whose vocation is in politics??

Book Review—Technicolor: Inspiring Your Church to Embrace Multicultural Ministry, by Mark Hearn

Review by Joel Kurz | 11.20.2017

While there are a few weaknesses, this book offers a unique and much-needed contribution to American evangelicalism, especially as demographics change.

Pastoring a Rural Church Isn’t a “Lesser” Ministry

By Cheston Pickard | 11.13.2017

Whether we’re called to Farmington, Missouri or Washington, D.C, our goal is to help people do two things: understand the Bible and follow Jesus.

Mailbag #67: What Should Members Vote On (And How) . . . Responding to Members’ Foolish Social Media Posts

By Jonathan Leeman | 11.03.2017

— What are considered “important matters” for members to vote on—and how do you practically carry out the voting process? — How should I respond to a church member’s foolish use of social media?

4 Reasons Churches Don’t Practice Church Discipline

By Jeremy Kimble | 11.02.2017

Despite what some people think, church discipline isn’t an unloving, invasive act, perpetrated by wicked people.

Mailbag #64: How to Honor Exasperating Parents; Responding to an Excommunicated Member

By Jonathan Leeman | 10.13.2017

— How should adult children respond to the unrealistic demands of their parents? — An excommunicated member continues to come and participate in the Lord’s Supper. What should we do?

Book Review: Uncomfortable, by Brett McCracken

Review by Shane Williamson | 10.05.2017

This book’s ecclesial-shaped Christianity is utterly necessary for the church today.

Christians Should Be Motivated to Minister to Homeless People

By Matthew Spandler-Davison | 08.14.2017

Homelessness is always a crisis. But merciful, compassionate, and loving Christians can’t only and always walk the other way.

There Are Souls to Be Saved: How Can We Rest?

By David Murray | 07.24.2017

The theological root of so much burnout is a failure to believe in the sovereignty of God. We simply don’t trust God to do the work that only he can do.

Book Review: Conscience, by Andy Naselli & J. D. Crowley

Review by Paul Alexander | 07.12.2017

You should probably read this book, too. But of course, that’s a matter for you to take up with your own conscience.

9Marks at 9 with ERLC

By J. Leeman, M. Dever, P. Bethancourt, R. D. Moore | 06.23.2017

At the 2017 SBC, Jonathan Leeman interviewed Russell Moore, Mark Dever, and Philip Bethancourt on building healthy churches in a confusing culture.

The Loneliness of Church Planting

By John Starke | 9Marks Journal: Church Mergers and Plants | 06.20.2017

An enchantment with the city isn’t the same as a biblical love for the city, and it won’t sustain you in the long run.