"Haykin's History of the Whole Church!" (Free Download)

Early in the life of Grace Fellowship Church I realized that a number of my sheep had very little sense of where we fit in the long line of God's chosen people. Names like Whitefield, Huss, Constantine and Fanny Crosby were lost to them - they had no reference point. And there might have been a tendency to think of ourselves as novel, when in fact we were just doing what saints through the ages had been doing - seeking to live for Jesus to the glory of God.

So, I had this idea. What if you could pack the entire history of the church, from the cross through to the present, into one day of teaching. Historical theology force-feeding! Of course, you would not get all the details or all the names, but such a fly-by technique would help to put the whole progress, the "big picture" if you like, into perspective.

Now, an idea like this is great if you happen to be friends with one of the world's leading church historians. [insert smile!]

So, I approached Dr. Michael Haykin and asked if he would be up to the challenge. I envisioned the day as, "Haykin's History of the Whole Church!" He didn't care for the title! So, we changed it to, "No Other Foundation: The History of the Church in Four Parts."

We crammed well over 100 folks into our gym and for one Saturday climbed aboard a luxury airliner with Dr. Haykin at the helm, guiding us over 2004 years of Christ's work in preparing His bride. It was glorious!

These lectures have been off line for a little while as we have been changing things around at our church home page, but they are on-line again as of last night. You can download them here.

No Other Foundation (1): History of Christianity, 100 - 500AD

No Other Foundation (2): History of Christianity, 500 - 1500AD

No Other Foundation (3): History of Christianity, 1500 - 1700AD

No Other Foundation (4): History of Christianity, 1700 - Present

Each file is also accompanied with a pdf of lecture notes that you can print off and follow along - a great tool to use in a Bible study or Sunday School class.

This is vintage Michael - enjoy!

Baptism Splendor!

Thabiti Anyabwile posts a few pictures from First Baptist of Grand Cayman's baptism service.

I once baptized a fellow around this time of year, too. It was in the muddy Saugeen River, two and a half hours north of Toronto.

It didn't look like this.

Remember that day, Dave!? Brrrr!

Pure Church: Sweet Sunday

Calvin and New Perspective...

I am tempted to complain of how unjust it is that Derek Thomas can say so much in so little space... and how guys like me have to labour for hours to pop off one sentence anywhere close to one sentence he writes below. I am tempted... but I will not do it.

BUT, you must read this short explanation of how Calvin would view the New Perspective.

Reformation21 » Calvin and NPP: "As someone who believed medieval Rome taught a piecemeal salvation through a treadmill of sacramental performance, something which he equated in its essence to that of inter-testamental Judaism (aka Pharisaism) as a religion which rung the changes on works-righteousness -- seeing both of these as examples of man's innate tendency to idolatry and self-justification, he would not recognize the New Perspective as doing justice either to the exegesis of Scripture or a diagnosis of man's real problem. He would regard it as wrongheaded pastorally as well as historically. As one who insisted on double-imputation, he would find the New Perspective's denial of the imputation of Christ's righteousness as wholly inadequate to deal with the real problem of fallen (Adamic) man's relationship to God. As one who made the cross central, he would be perplexed at the inadequate responses of the New Perspective to the question which inquires as to the necessity of the cross or what it actually achieved. Penal substitution through satisfaction were Calvin's main emphases and a perspective which substitutes ecclesiastical categories (who belongs to the covenant community?) rather than soteriological categories (how can a sinner be made right with God?), and one that answers the former by emphasizing 'boundary markers' of baptism and the Lord's Supper, he would view as Catholicism redivivus."

Reformation Sundries

Happy Reformation Day!

There are all kinds of great posts in the blogosphere today, so if you have a few moments take a look around.

My favorite so far has been Max McLean's dramatic presentation of Martin Luther's famous "Here I Stand" speech. Max gives a nice summary of events leading up to this decisive moment - that alone is worth the listen.

There are a couple of brief biographical sketches on our church website. Each year I like to highlight a different Reformer. You can read of Martin Luther, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli (soon).

My godly assistant, Julian, has a nice article on Luther and Prayer that you should read, too!

Calvin Medal - A Tribute to D.R.!

One of my favorite blogs is Darrin Brooker's, Running Well. Part of what I appreciate about D.R.'s work is its eclectic nature.
For instance, if you did not read his blog, you would not know that grown men venture all over the globe seeking small (and large) medals impressed with the likenesses of famous reformers with which they then decorate unused bookshelves.
I never knew this!
But, alas, I myself have caught the growing "reformation medal bug" and gladly announce to all concerned (and unconcerned) the first member of my collection.
It is a 13 cm impression of Jean Cauvin (John Calvin) displayed here in it's gold embossed collectors box with tasseled gold springy cord.
It is chocolate.
And in honour of Reformation Day, not Halloween, I think that tomorrow I shall eat it.

 

DRob Says, "Forgive, But Don't Forget!"

Live By The Truth: Forgive and Forget?

And the man has a point!

Pastoral Visitation (Part V) - Personal Instruction

While I am a big fan of building long-term mentoring relationships with men in my church, I also believe there is a place for personal instruction with other members.  The pastoral visit is one such place where this instruction might take place.
It generally sounds strange to our ears to read of Baxter quizzing households on the catechism and such, then giving homework assignments to be completed by his next visit.  Most of us are just happy to actually get behind the front door of someone’s home!
But this type of closely applied ministry is necessary – and probably the one area I personally struggle with the most.  The cultural sea in which we are adrift makes teaching someone who is not paying for it seem like a blatant display of high-handed authoritarianism!  But we must get past this misconception.
Members under our pastoral care need us, at times, to give specific instruction.  This teaching must be:
Biblical – we do not instruct in areas the Bible does not give explicit instruction.  We might offer some Proverbs-immersed advice in these areas, but we must tenaciously guard against any forms of power abuse.
Comprehensible – What good are directions in Chinese when all you can read is English?  Our teaching needs to be simple, direct, forthright and we must question the member to see if they understand it.
Applicable – There is no point teaching on election if the current issue is marital unfaithfulness.  (I can hear all you Calvinists scurrying about trying to demonstrate a way that election would be the perfect matter to teach on!  Relax now.  You know what I mean!)
So, if you meet with a couple and in the course of that night they ask for prayer for their marriage since they are both working 65+ hours per week – you may find yourself with a teaching opportunity!  
This means that pastors need to know the Book, and know it well.  A good doctor does not tell his patients to go home so he can think of a cure.  His mind is at the ready with what he believes will be the best treatment.  So, in the case above, wise instruction might mean a slow walk through Luke 12 or some wise counsel from 1 Timothy 6.  If we take the time to really understand our sheep, trust the Holy Spirit to help us and force our minds to constantly be asking, “What does the Bible say about this?” – then we won’t go far wrong.

iBob Kauflin

Worship Matters: A New Five Year Old:

Bob Kauflin offers some wise advice on iPod usage.

"1. Only isolate yourself when you should be isolated. Don’t use your music to escape serving or interacting with others.
2. Limit the amount of time you use your iPod. Silence is a profitable state that is fast becoming a relic of the past.
3. Seek to listen to a broad spectrum of musical styles.
4. Consider how to bless others through your music choices, rather than yourself."

I bought one of the really cheap shuffles a while back, thinking I could listen to some of the podcasts becoming available. But I have found the only time I can listen to the thing is when I am on the treadmill or rowing machine. And since that has been rather intermittent, (shall we say?) of late - the shuffle has not had a lot of use.

It does amaze me though to see so many heads, young and old, plugged into little electronic devices. If I am out and about I almost always try to engage phones-wearing folk in conversation. I think they need to get out of their heads more!

Pastoral Visitation (Part IV) - Visit to Pray Better

I take it for granted that one of the many duties of a local church’s pastor is to pray for the sheep. But prayer is difficult when you don’t know what is needed. By “needed” I am not referring to what people want for a birthday present, but what spiritual growth is necessary in their particular situation.

This growth might include stopping some things and starting other things. It may mean a wholesale shift in worldview. It may be something as simple as learning how to handle conflict more effectively. The common denominator in all this real change is that it requires real prayer if it is really going to happen.

Thus, as mentioned in my last post, when we go to visit one of our primary goals is to complete what we refer to as data-gathering. We are out to get as much information as possible about the Christians under our care. And the first thing this information does is allow us to pray in specifics for the individual.

A Dad that is struggling to maintain family devotions – he may need a little instruction and encouragement on how to do this, but more powerful than this will be intercessory prayer on his behalf. A mom that demonstrates she is not in control of life but is being controlled by it – we can pray that God would have mercy on her, drawing her closer to Himself, filling her life more fully with His Spirit so that the promised fruit of self-control would grow in her day-to-day existence.

These are just a couple of made-up examples, but you see the point. How can we pray for folks we do not know? Sure we can pray in general ways... and we can always pray the Scriptures for our flock (which ought to be handled in another post!). But there is much to be said for praying in specifics.

It is a great encouragement to your church member when you are able to say to him that you have been praying for something in specific. Once they see the work of God in answering this prayer, their faith will be bolstered.

I think the one aspect of pastoral ministry I enjoy most is watching God change a man. The more you pray for this kind of real change, the more you will see God at work and the more your delight in Him will increase! So, meet with your sheep in order to pray for them more deliberately and specifically.

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In the next post I hope to deal with some of the ways you might practically instruct your members during pastoral visits.

Christian Thought: The War Within

Christian Thought: The War Within

The Fighter Jet will be manning the fort at Grace Fellowship Church this morning as I am off to Binbrook Baptist Church to preach for their 167th anniversary. Julian has a great set of quotes that I have linked to here on the battle against our flesh. I highly recommend them!

Tonight I will be back at GFC to hear of the work of Marco Vandermerwe - really looking forward to that!

Have a glorious day in the presence of God with His people!

Delight in Him!