The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges, Daily quote

Bridges quoting from Scott's Life, "With all my discouragements and sinful despondency; in my better moments, I can think of no work worth doing compared to this. Had I a thousand lives, I would willingly spend them in it: and had I as many sons, I should gladly devote them to it." p23

The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges, Daily quote

Those who will faithfully discharge their duty as ministers of the gospel shall have need to be prepared for sufferings.....Except we realise a high estimation of the Church, the constraining influence of the Saviour's love, and the upholding prop of Almighty grace, what is there to preserve us from sinking in to despondency? p12&13

The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges, Daily quote

Speaking of the Christian ministry.......

"This therefore is the ordained means of conversion, and of subsequent establishment in every stage of the Christian life; and its necessity must continue, while there is a single sinner to be brought into the family of God, or a single grace in the heart of the saint to advance to perfection." p10

How different the view that ministers and the church has by and large of the ministry today. How many men see their ministry in this Biblical light? How many congregations view the ministry in their midst is this light?

The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges, Daily quote

"For surely it is the highest dignity if not the greatest happiness that human nature is capable of here in this vale below, to have the soul so far enlightened as to become the mirror, or conduit or conveyor of God's truth to others."
p6

The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges, Daily quote

It has been about 20 years since I read this book and after picking up a copy from the library of the late FS Leahy I decided to read again. Bridges was an Anglican minister from the 1800s. I reckon a chapter a day will do the trick. One chapter one quote.

"Who hath skill and strength proportionate? Who has a mind and temper to direct and sustain so vast a work? If our Great Master had not Himself answered these appalling questions by His promise - My grace is sufficient for Thee, and if the experience of faith did not demonstrably prove that our sufficiency is of God; who with an enlightened apprehension, could enter upon such an awful service, or if entered, continue in it?" p5

Singing the Songs of Jesus, Michael LeFebvre

Anyone who loves the psalms needs to read this book so that you will love them even more. Though just some 160 pages this is no airy fairy light weight ditty. Every line of this gem is carefully thought through and as a book punches well above its weight. The author has a different angle on psalm singing that is both thought provoking and worship empowering.
With psalm singing growing in popularity world wide this is a book just right for the times. The author is keen for the reader to see psalm singing as singing not simply words about Christ and breathed out by the Spirit of Christ but singing with Christ.
Although the writer makes it clear that this book is not a defense for exclusive psalm singing the reader is left with one concluding thought - why would anyone ever want to sing anything else.
Every psalm singing church should press this book into members hands so that they will be filled with encouragement to keep on singing the psalms. Every young person or not so young person looking out into the church and thinking - you know we really need to abandon these psalms for something more popular - needs to take up and read.
Food here not only for your mind but joy for the heart.

The Case for Covenantal Infant Baptism

With the blessing of having a number of baptisms to administer in the life of the congregation I have been preaching a series on baptism, adding a new sermon when there is a baptism. To help in preparation I have been reading and studying up on baptism. I have had this volume on my to read shelf for at least a year and now have finally been through it. It is a collection of papers on the subject of covenantal infant baptism edited by Gregg Strawbridge. It has a good range of pastoral, historical and theological studies. Each chapter stands on its own and can be read without connection to the others. Gregg Strawbridge has managed to enlist some heavy weight reformed writers including Joel Beeke, Joseph Pipa, Richard Pratt and Daniel Doriani. Of the fifteen chapters only the penultimate one by Douglas Wilson gave me cause for concern. If I read him correctly he seemed to be favouring children partaking of the Lord's Supper. Having said that he did have some worthwhile comments to make on how we raise our children.
Anyone who is wanting to seriously study the whole issue of baptism must read this book.
It is published by P&R.

First Steps for Planting Missional Churches

This is a manual for church planting written by Gary Rohrmayer. It is superfically baptistic (ie has statements that my deep thinking baptist friends wouldn't say), congregational, Arminian, in one place quotes one of the Emergent Church gurus and has a liberal dose of church growth guff. One of those five things are usually enough to make me stop reading and look for something better. But in an attempt to do some research on Church planting I persevered with this manual and I was glad that I did for there were many things to glean and twist to my setting. Added to that this man has planted more churches than my denomination has in 200 years so if I can't learn something then there is something seriously wrong with the size of my head!
Obviously in a manual on church planting that is congregational in ecclesiology there is not going to be the realism of the work of a supporting denomination and so the writer has only part of the picture when he writes, "New churches are the most effective means of evangelism......older churches tend to become so burdened with budgets, buildings and pastor and people problems that they have no longer the energy for outreach." While there may be truth in this, and I think I have seen it first hand the other side is - the church planting of my own denomination would simply not have happened without the support of the older churches.
This manual covers the whole spectrum of planting - foundations, gathering a group, building a launch team, designing worship services and ministry strategies, establishing new communities and ministries. While many of the practical application is a bit American there is often something that would carry over to our UK setting. His ideas on preaching were particularly thought prevoking - relying on the help of the Holy Spirit, excelling in preaching, have your preaching evaluated regularly, planning in preaching, answer the questions that are in people's minds, hope should fill every sermon and preach short series.
Anyone interested in church planting I would recommend reading this and drawing out what you can use in your situation. Beware of the theological undercurrents that are simply not Biblical.

The Meaning and Mode of Baptism

Doing some reading these days around the subject of baptism as preparation for a series of sermons on baptism. A friend guided me to Jay E Adam's wee booklet, "The meaning and mode of baptism." It is just 56 pages in length so doesn't really count as a book. But this booklet will help anyone who is interested in working out what the Bible says about the how to of baptism. His basic thesis is simple - immersion is not the Biblical mode of baptism and it should be by sprinkling or pouring. Adams leaves no stone unturned in this study and presents his material in a gracious manner. A vital read for anyone serious about understanding what the Bible says about baptism. The booklet is published by P&R.

Generous Justice

Got this book from a good friend at Christmas. He has always the knack of picking something that illuminates the mind and stirs up the heart......
Every now and then you read a book and realize - the contents of this book could seriously change my life. This is one of those books. Tim Keller is setting out the Biblical reasoning why Christians and Churches should have a passion for justice at a local and global scale. It is a small book in size, containing just 8 chapters making up about 190 pages. It is a book that punches way above its weight and size. In the usual masterful manner the author draws together the teaching of Scripture and brings it right in under your radar and then detonates. The impact could not only be life changing but church changing. His thesis is simple - for too long the church has abandon the call of God to minister to those in need. For too long reformed Christians have been deformed Christians by leaving this call of God to those outside the Kingdom. The author is clear - this call is for the church.
Too many Christians say Don't get involved with the poor - sure they bring it on themselves! Keller is dynamite on this and blows this away with a quote from Edwards, "Such a faculty (ie being able to manage your affairs) is a gift that God bestows on some and not on others. And it is not owing to themselves.....This (ie helping them) is as reasonable as that he to whom Providence has imparted sight should be willing to help him to whom sight is denied, and that he should have the benefit of the sight of others, who has none of own."
Basically that means if you know someone who is not good at handling their affairs - then that is no reason for not reaching out in rich generosity.
I would advise any elder and deacon in the church to read this and see where and how you can minister to the needy and have the blessing of God come down on you and the society you live in. Perhaps if we got out of our comfort zones and unlocked the 100s of 1000s of pounds lurking in church bank accounts we could minister as Christ calls us to and have endless opportunity for sharing the gospel which has stirred us to be so generous.
Thanks Dave for another cracker book......

Raised with Christ, Adrian Warnock

This is the next volume on my reading on the resurrection. Raised with Christ comes with two opening pages of recommendation. And I am glad to say that it does live up to all the words of commendation. It is a well written 19 chapter book that seeks to explain that the resurrection changes everything. The opening chapters cover the details of the resurrection and the rest tease out this life transforming doctrine in to every day life. If you like footnotes instead of annoying end notes you will enjoy the way that the publisher has set out this volume. This is a thoroughly heart warming and informative read. I didn't agree with everything that the author said especially in his comments regarding the work of the Holy Spirit and also revival. He seems to take MLJ's angle on the working of the Holy Spirit. All in all an excellently written and helpful study on the doctrine of the resurrection and a must for anyone wanting to delve in to this glorious truth.

Living the Resurrection, Eugene Peterson, Navpress

Eugene Peterson's writing always has that surprise factor. This volume on living in light of the resurrection is no exception. This is a short volume - just three chapters and then a long appendix on the text from the Message on the resurrection passages. The three chapters each have that usual Peterson twist and each page has that ability to make you stop and read a paragraph again because you simply never thought of it like that before. This is not a major study on the resurrection by any means but a useful thought provoking angle on familiar topics and tying them in to the resurrection eg. work, Sabbath keeping, Lord's Supper and baptism.
Worth a read if you are doing some thinking about the significance of the resurrection but not that valuable if your book shelf on the resurrection is to be limited to one or two volumes.

Lifted - Experiencing the Resurrection, Sam Allberry

Well yes I was - lifted. Decided to do a bit of reading around the resurrection over the past few months. Nothing too heavy at the start - just wanted my heart warmed and my soul stirred to deeper devotion for the Lord Jesus. And that is exactly what I found when reading and pondering this excellent book on the resurrection by Sam Allberry.
This 142 page book punches well above its weight. After a short introduction on the facts surrounding the resurrection the writer has four chapters: Assurance, transformation, hope and mission. Each chapter includes a well thought out exposition and application of one or several portions of Scripture. The writer has some wonderful turns of phrase. It is heart warming, soul satisfying and stirring. He is keen that the doctrine of the resurrection does what God intended it to do - ignite our lives. My favourite chapter was the third one entitled - Hope. In this chapter he deals with the physical resurrection of our bodies. Anyone wishing to raise their spiritual temperature a few degrees would do well to read this little gem. Here is a super paragraph to whet your appetite.
"The resurrection demonstrates who Jesus is. It is not meant to be just some mega-miracle, or trump card for the existence of God. It speaks powerfully of the identity of Jesus. We can be assured that he is exactly who he claimed to be. And because of that same resurrection, we can also be assured that he achieved in his death exactly what he said he would--we can be assured of our salvation." pg. 34

Scandalous, D.A. Carson

This recent publication by IVP comprises of five addresses that the writer gave at a Resurgence conference at Mars Hill, Seattle. They focus on the cross and the resurrection:
1. The ironies of the Cross (Matthew 27v27-51a
2. The whole centre of the Bible (Romans 3v21-26)
3. The strange triumph of a slaughtered lamb (Revelation 12)
4. A miracle full of surprises (John 11)
5. Doubting the resurrection (John 20v24-31)
Each of these chapters is clearly subdivided, presumably with the headings that the writer used in his preaching. Each chapter contains the usual exegetical depth that one is used to with Dr. Carson. Each chapter is a wonderful blend of sound detailed explanation of the text with warm hearted stirring application.
This volume would make a useful help for daily devotions and at the same time provide good help for those preaching on any of these passages.

A Shelter in the time of Storm, Paul Tripp

Every now and then you come across a book and you think - everyone needs to read and inwardly digest. This is one of those books. It is a series of 52 meditations on Psalm 27. A few of the reflections are poems - but don't let that put you off - they are super and prise open the thoughts. Each of the short chapters can be read in a new minutes but the outworking will take the rest of your life. Each chapter is filled with Paul Tripp's inimitable heart revealing style. As always he gets to the sin under the sin and it looks as if he is reading your mind.
If you are looking for presents for someone for the weeks ahead and you really love them - by them this book. Not only is it filled with nuggets of wisdom on psalm 27 - it will also in a by the way sort of manner teach you how to ponder the Scripture and let it seep into your life.
Cracker book to use as part of your personal devotions, family worship or a study with someone.
I have been raving about this book to family and friends. My raving went off the raving scale when I read chapter 50 this morning, "What gives the psalms their meaning and depth? The thing that the psalms point to again and again isn't a thing at all. No it is a person, and His name is Jesus. It is not as if some of the psalms are Messianic; all of the psalms point to the person and work of the Saviour in some way! Psalm 27 is a powerful example."
That reason alone is sufficient for me to say - there is only one thing that I want to sing on this earth - the songs of Zion and as I sing to pray - LORD - rivet this truth deep into my soul that I may know day in and day out shelter in the time of storm.
Dear Mr Tripp - I doubt that you will ever read this blog - but if you do - please please make it the work of the rest of your days to do the same for all the rest of the psalms.

Church Planter, Darrin Patrick

I have to confess it was the online movie type trailer that made me buy this book on church planting. And like all movies - the book is better. Darrin Patrick is vice president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and the founding pastor of The Journey Church in St. Louis. Although you will find nothing particularly new in this volume it is draws together many aspects of planting into one volume. I agree with Tim Keller (I am sure he is glad about that!) "Church planters should all read this."
The book is divided into three main areas - the man, the message and the mission. The book commences with a rivetting preface in which he calls men to be real men and not "bans". That is Patrick's way of speaking of men who never grow up and are still playing about with games consoles and not being real men. The second chapter on call to ministry is well worth buying the book for. He says that any man interested in being a church planter should be willing to take hits in decision making. I would take that further - any man considering the ministry in any shape or form - if you are not up for the tough time, the slog, the plod, the pain, the tears, the heartbreak - then forget it - be a postman - at least you will only get bitten by dogs. Other chapters in section one include - qualifications for ministry, what it means to be skilled in ministry and what it is to shepherd the people of God. Chapter 7 on being a determined man is a super chapter filled with Biblical reasoning on why to keep on in the ministry and how to.
In the second section - chapters 8-12 (The Message) you can see that this guy really does know his stuff and has gleaned amongst the "Big boys" for his theology. His chapter on Salvation Accomplishing is John Murray's classic Redemption Accomplished and Applied in jeans and t shirt. In Chapter 10 it is clear that Patrick knows the things to beware of out there - moralism, relativism etc. and once more has some cracker footnotes. In dealing with exposing sin he quotes the Shorter Catechism and John Knox and that in itself gains him kudos. His chapter on Idol Shattering is classic Keller - calling preachers to expose the sin under the sin.
In the final section - chapter 13-17 the writer deals with mission. Chapter 13 did concern me somewhat when he quotes Theresa of Avila and Hans Kung. But don't let that put you off the book. Chapter 14 on the church and mission lacks a covenantal approach, but his classification on types of churches is helpful and challenging. Chapter 15 on contextualisation will no doubt raise a few eyebrows for some but there is much here that is very thought provoking about reaching the masses with the gospel. Patrick does well in keeping away from the dangerous edges of contextualisation. The final few chapters on care and city transformation conclude the book.
All in all - a good read. You will not agree with everything and strongly disagree with some things (E.g. his comments on the Sabbath). But this is well worth the read. Why not team up with a few others to read and discuss.

Sad Day for Scotland

Many mornings I feel like weeping when I tune in the to BBC4 news and so was the case today. I woke to hear that the Free Church of Scotland is changing their position on worship. According to the highest court of their church each session is now at liberty to use materials other than the psalms for use in worship and also allowed to use instruments in public worship if they so wish. Why would the BBC cover such information? Like many across the land they think that this is a nice movement with the times. Personally I would be very afraid if the BBC commented with even the slightest tone of favour of anything that I did. What the public wants seems to have won again - after all one of the arguments of the men for change was that somehow singing psalms was keeping people away.
When the church develops a loose approach to what should happen in public worship history seems to show that this is the beginning of times of decline. I trust and pray that this is not the case for the Free Church, but only time will tell.
So very quickly changing to letting a session chose for itself could become a total abandoning of the book of praise (no matter what is presently placed in church order) that Christ has commanded for the exclusive use of His church. Soon the people of God may not know these words that Christ Himself sang knowing that they were filled with Him. Soon the people of God may not know the joy of having these words embedded in their minds for the day of trouble.
What a sad day for Scotland. Thank God some still hold to the Biblical teaching of non accompanied exclusive psalmody. And those who do stand firm - don't ever feel ashamed or that somehow Christ is limited by the singing of psalms - you stand with the vast majority of the history of the church of Jesus Christ.

This little church had none - Gary Gilley

This is the third in a series of books by Gary Gilley. And you have guessed it the two previous ones were called "This little church went to market" and "This little church stayed at home." These classic books are no fairy tale laughing matter - but serious truth that the church must grasp. The author has a wonderful gift of putting his finger right on the trouble spot in the modern church. He has a knack of not only identifying what is going on in the church by way of being influenced by the world, but also how to get out of the mess. The present volume divides into three parts: Obstacles to the truth; The way back and Evangelism. In the first section 6 present day threats to evangelical church life are described: Seeker sensitive adjustment, The Emergent church goes ancient, Invasion of paganism, The prosperity gospel goes mainstream, The challenge of pragmatism, and The new atheism. In the second main section the writer describes how only a renewed confidence in the Word of God and pastoring with open eyes are the way back from the mess that the church is in in many places. The final section is a cracker on apologetic evangelism and a must for anyone interested in reaching the lost. Three of the final 4 chapters are written by co author Jay Wegter.
If you are involved in ministry in any form you need to read this book and the two previous volumes. If you are a young person who imagines that your church is fuddy duddy and why can't we do what other churches are doing - YOU NEED TO READ THIS and be thankful to God for what you have. Every pastor preacher needs to read these and be aware of the threats that are out there and can so easily creep into the church.
This book is a wonderful gift to the church for inoculation or recovery. Switch off the TV, log off the computer and read!

The Reformed Pastor - Richard Baxter

Each year after the RP minister's conference I try to make a list of things that need seeing to in my life and ministry. One of the points on this year's list was to read again this classic.
I first read this abridged version of the Reformed Pastor nearly twenty years ago when training for the ministry. It is 125 pages of absolute gold dust. It is Baxter's exposition of Acts 20v28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves." The book has three main sections: oversight of ourselves; oversight of the flock and a third section of pure application. The first two sections each have three subsections: nature, manner and motives re oversight. Every page is littered with sentences worthy of the highlighter pen. Obviously it is primarily for the pastor but since Baxter took time to include a preface for the "lay reader" it is a book designed to be a blessing to all of the people of God. If the Lord spares me to labour on in the ministry for 20 more years I hope to have read this 20 more times. Any man training for the ministry must track this down and read it and reread it until it becomes the warp and woof of your life.
Ps - on the look out for one of these trendy preaching caps and trying to work on the facial hair!

Depression - the stubborn Darkness Ed. Welch

Whether you are someone who suffers from depression, has someone in your family under this dark cloud or are involved in counselling and pastoring, this classic of Ed Welch's is a must. The book is set out in four parts: Depression is suffering; Listening to depression; Other help and advice and Thinking God's thoughts. Welch's approach is Biblical and therefore balanced. As a counsellor of many years the author is obviously drawing on a host of experiences to flesh out the theory. As a teacher committed to the Scripture the writer is making it clear that the answer is not in the pills alone, but much deeper, in having the Word of God shape every corner of the mind.
This book will not only help someone trapped in the spiral of depression and those helping others but will also serve as an inoculation against this debilitating condition.