Mother kirk : essays and forays in practical ecclesiology
"Modern evangelicals have gained money, power, and influence, and it has been like giving whiskey to a two-year-old. The need of the hour is theological, not political. The arena is the pulpit and the table, not the legislative chamber. Before we are equipped to proclaim His lordship to the inhabitants of all the earth, we must live as though we believed it in the Church. This is a practical and pastoral guide to many of the countless issues that arise in conservative Christian churches. The essays span subjects ranging from the nature of legalism and church authority to worship music, debt, youth ministry, and pastoral character. It breathes the kind of wisdom that emerges only from long pastoral experience experienced through diligent study of Scripture. Mother Kirk can be read with profit by all Christians, but at its heart this book is an instruction manual for pastors and elders, and it breathes the kind of wisdom that emerges only from long pastoral experience experienced through diligent study of Scripture. Mother Kirk is written by a pastor who knows that pastoral work demands courage, determination, gentleness, vision, patience, self-restraint, insight, shrewdness, and, above all, faith working through love. It is written by a pastor who sees that pastoral ministry is man's work. Today, many avoid pastoral vocation because they think it beneath them. Mother Kirk will deter for exactly the opposite reason"--Exodusbooks.com
Print Book, English, ©2001
Canon Press, Moscow, Idaho, ©2001
283 pages ; 23 cm
9781885767721, 1885767722
44493138
Introduction
A manifesto on what matters
1. What is the church?
The true and ancient church
2. Reformational identity
What are reformed evangelicals?
3. Receive the Word
A church Bible
tradition and the Word
The final Word
4. Thunder the Word
Foundations of authority
Just one Word
A culture's prow
Smooth words
Preconditions for reformation
Festina lente
Priorities and peace
A farewell to Calvinism
A deeper right
Legalism: hatred of God's law
5. Observing the sacraments
Sacramental thinking
The sacrament of baptism
Baptism and culture
The amount of water
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Bread and wine
Preparing for the Supper
Weekly communion
6. The Lord's Day
Sabbath rest
The Sabbath as gospel rest
But what about?
7. The Worship Service
The regulative principle
Cultural impact of worship
Just one channel and no remote
Worship music and propriety
Right pretty
Solempne
Anthems of conquest
Why not all Psalms?
Principles for music (Roy Atwood and Eddie Gray)
Public prayer
A defense of liturgy
The corporate amen
8. The government of the church
Authority and membership
Household polity
Biblical church discipline
Denomination blues
With a small "p"
Church officers
Doctrinal qualifications
The doctrinal work of elders
The intercessory work of elders
The pastoral work of elders
The role of the diaconate
9. The minister's character
The qualified man
Marriage qualifications
The pastor's kids
Honorific titles
Honest subscription
Ministers in skirts
Hollow men
Books and men
A call to the ministry
Ministerial training
10. The life of the church
A multitude of counselors
Youth ministry
The parish
Building the kirk
Facilities and debt
The tithe
Grateful consumers
Pastoring masculinity
Men's forum
Women's ministry
Involvement in politics
Moving beyond pro-life (with Doug Jones)
Marriage licences
11. Outreach
Reformed missions and evangelism
The beauty of apologetics
Twice the children of hell
A literature ministry
Epilogue
Appendix
Questions for elders and their wives