God of grace

July 19, 2010 / Christopher Terry / 1 Comment

O God of grace

Demonstrated through Your Son

Jesus took the sinner’s place

Your wrath satisfied upon the innocent One

The wonder of redemption

The agony of the cross

The sins of the world upon Your Son

Apart from Christ’s blood we are eternally lost

How does one respond to such love?

A redemption so free

Lives transformed by God above

Christ died for sinners, including me

O God of grace in heaven

You are worthy of all praise

Through Christ’s blood I am forgiven

Help me to love and serve You all my days

Christ died for the lost

Forgiveness available to all who believe

The righteous One hung on a cross

So eternal life, sinners would receive

O come to Christ you sinners

Be washed in His blood

Apart from Him we are lost forever

Through Christ be reconciled to God.

The Role of Women in Ministry

April 21, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

God has established proper roles for men and women within the home and the church. He has appointed the man as the spiritual leader within the home (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1, 5; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:2-3; Tit. 2:4-5). Therefore, within the family unit the husband is the spiritual leader and the wife willingly submits to his God-given spiritual authority (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18). This structure is in accord with the created order (Gen. 2:4-25). God created the man first and subsequently created the woman as a helper for the man (Gen. 2:18, 21-25). The man named the women which demonstrated authority (Gen. 3:20; cf. 2:19-20; 1:28).

God has also appointed men as those who are in spiritual authority in the church (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Elders are those who are established by God as the spiritual leaders of local churches (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). Scripture describes elders as men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 20:17, 25-31). Therefore, within the church the leadership is to be conducted by biblically qualified men. As a result, women willingly submit to the spiritual authority of their husbands and the spiritual authority of their elders.

Elders are the primary teachers of the church (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:2; 4:6-16; 5:17; Tit. 1:9). The N.T. Teaches that women are not to teach men biblical doctrine or to have spiritual authority over men (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:5). Women should not a teacher of men (teach men), nor should they be elders (in authority over men). This is in accordance with the created order established by God. The husband is the spiritual authority over his wife in the home and the male elders are the spiritual authority over the women in the church.

In our time there are Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders. Yet, the same biblical principles apply even in these situations. In conformity with the above mentioned principles: women should not teach biblical doctrine to a group of men or a group which includes men; women should not hold the office of elder; women should not be publicly debating doctrine with the recognized male teachers (1 Cor. 14:31-40; 1 Tim. 2:11).

On the other hand, women are permitted and encouraged to teach other women (Tit. 2:3-5). Women are also permitted to teach children, especially their own (2 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:15). They are also permitted and encouraged to serve the saints (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). Women are called to evangelize the lost (Phil. 4:2-3; Rom. 16:3). They may assist their husbands in explaining doctrine to individuals in a private home setting (Acts 18:24-28).

Christian women are encouraged to focus their efforts on: raising their children in the faith (1 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:5); managing their households (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:4); loving and submitting to their husbands (Tit. 2:4-5; Eph. 5:22-33); and serving others (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). Believing women and men are equal in their standing in Christ (Gal. 3:27-28; 1 Pet. 3:7) but they are distinct in their roles in Christ (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:1-5; 14:31-40).

2) God has created man in His image as male and female (Gen. 1:26-27). He values men and women equally. Male and female Christians have an equal standing and privilege in Christ (Gal. 3:27-28; 1 Pet. 3:7). Women are described by God as the glory of man (1 Cor. 11:7). Yet, though male and female believers are equal in God’s sight, He has given them distinct roles in the home and church . God has established the male husband as the spiritual leader of the home and the female wife is to willingly submit to her husband’s spiritual authority (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1, 5; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:2-3; Tit. 2:4-5). God has also established men as the spiritual leaders in the church (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Elders are to be biblically qualified men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 20:17, 25-31). Therefore, within the church women are to submit to the leadership of biblically qualified male leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). In regard to teaching, a group of men or a group which includes men must be taught by a man (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Also, in conformity with God’s established gender roles women are not to be publicly debating biblical doctrine with the recognized male teachers (1 Cor. 14:31-40; 1 Tim. 2:11). The biblical model of male leadership in the home and among God’s people was established at creation (Gen. 2:4-25; Gen. 3:20; cf. 2:19-20; 1:28).

We value women as precious in God’s sight and indispensable in the home and church. The role of women is so vital. Women are to: teach children, especially their own (2 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:15); love and submit to the spiritual leadership of their husbands (Tit. 2:4-5; Eph. 5:22-33); manage their households (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:4); teach other women (Tit. 2:3-5); evangelize (Phil. 4:2-3; Rom. 16:3); and care for the saints (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). These ministries are so crucial and comprise the primary role of the Christian woman in the home and the church.

Some Thoughts on the Lord’s Supper

April 21, 2010April 21, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

TransubstantiationThis view holds that the elements of the Lord’s Supper (bread and wine) actually become the body and blood of Christ. There is a moment when priests bless the elements of bread and wine upon which they transform into the body and blood of Christ.
ConsubstantiationThis view holds that the elements of the Lord’s Supper (bread and wine) contain the body and blood of Christ. There is not a moment when the elements become the body and blood of Christ, they always contain them.
Reformed Model

This view holds that the elements of the Lord’s Supper (bread and wine) provide a means of grace from God. They impart spiritual nourishment. Christ’s is present spiritually in a special way when the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. It is viewed as the sign of the New Covenant.

MemorialThis view holds that the elements of the Lord’s Supper (bread and wine) are symbols which represent the body and blood of Christ (Luke 22:17-23; 1 Cor. 11:24-26). The elements never contain nor become the body or blood of Christ. There is no grace conveyed by partaking of the elements. The ordinance celebrates the sacrificial death and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 11:23-27). It acknowledges and celebrates spiritual union with Christ and with other members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-22; 11:17-22). It declares the sacrificial death of Christ until He returns (1 Cor. 11:26; cf. Luke 22:18).

I will deal with refuting the Reformed Model of the Lord’s Supper. There is nothing in Scripture which describes the Lord’s Supper as the sign of the New Covenant. It appears that the Holy Spirit is the sign/seal of the New Covenant, not the Lord’s Supper (Ezek. 36:22-32; Rom. 8:9-11; Gal. 3:14; Eph. 1:13-14). There is nothing in Scripture which portrays the Lord’s Supper as a means of conveying grace to those who participate. Christ is the source of strength for all those who belong to Him, not participating in the Lord’s Supper (Eph. 1:18-21; 6:10; Col. 1:29). There is nothing in Scripture which describes the Lord’s Supper as a means of grace or spiritual nourishment. It is instead a reminder of the grace already received through faith in the gospel – death and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:8-9). There is nothing in Scripture which describes Christ as spiritually present in a special way. Christ is present in the life of a believer through the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, not through the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (John 14:16-26; Rom. 8:9-11, 15-17).

The Church in Many Houses by Steve Cordle – a review

March 16, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

This book by Steve Cordle was very well organized and followed a very logical progression of reasoning. In part one, he dealt with the emerging cell movement. The author discussed the signs of hope which are emerging from the cell-based movement around the world. The examples of cell-based churches which are thriving around the world helps to support some of the statements and conclusions the author proposes in the rest of the book. Cordle discusses the problems that many of us see all around us in the American church. He made the statement that in the U.S. the growth which is occurring appears to be, “a mile wide and an inch deep.” This is something that I appreciate over and over in the cell-based materials which I have read (which is not extensive). The focus is biblically-based disciplemaking. The proponents want to see the lost converted and then trained to be disciplemakers. The author provides some foundational definitions in the opening chapter. He discusses what is a cell church and what is a cell. This helps to lay the foundation for understanding everything else that he discusses in the book. It is apparent to the author that there are many fads swirling around in the church-world. He addresses this issue directly by pointing out the N.T. model (which appears very similar to cell-based ministry) and the strategy which John Wesley implemented during his ministry. Cordle proposes that cell-based ministry is far from being a fad and is an extremely biblical approach to ministry.

Chapter two was an interesting one for me. The content revolved around providing a real-life example of a woman who entered the cell group as an unbeliever and then moved all the way through the process to the point of becoming a cell coach. One thing that is still eating at me is the lack of a clear conversion to Christ in the life of Martha, who is the chapter’s example for cell-based ministry. This may just be a lack of clarity on the part of the author but it still is a concern for me. It is not proper to have an unbeliever leading a group or coaching a group. She would need to repent of her sin and believe the gospel. Aside from this issue I did feel that Cordle’s picture of the different facets and levels of cell-life was helpful. It made it as though you were observing group life in a cell-based church ministry. The author’s description disciplemaking strategy of a cell-based church was also helpful. The four stages: Reach, Connect, Equip, and Send provided a solid map for those who may be entering the cell-based ministry. One thing I am unsure of again is what Cordle means by reach. It appears from his writing that he is referring to an individual merely attending a cell or celebration. I do not want to sound picky but I think that the word reach is not helpful for such a step. I would prefer to have the step defined as reach refer to someone being born again, rather than referring to attendance. I am certain that my apprehension stems from the lack of clarity in regard to Martha’s conversion (or lack thereof).

I thought the chapter entitled Thinking Differently was very useful. Cordle does not try to paint a perfect and painless transition to cell-based ministry. He acknowledges that each person has a picture of church ministry. The reality is that not all of these pictures is biblical nor proper. Yet, he instructs that transitioning to cell-based ministry will fail if the only change is in structure. The author makes it very clear that the leadership must teach for a change in understanding and values. He proposes that once this changed in understanding and values occurs, those in the church will view a transition to cell-based ministry as the only possible solution. I thought that this chapter was one of the most beneficial in the entire book and it solidified the validity of his earlier statement that cell-based ministry is not a fad. So much today is more fad than unchanging. This has resulted in many in ministry leadership bouncing from fad to fad looking for the “silver bullet” which will lead them to the promised land of ministry success. Cordle declares that the process of transitioning to cell-based ministry by educating and transforming people’s understanding and values will take time. He admits that it took him about two years to understand and accept cell-based ministry as the right approach to ministry. Therefore, it led him to be patient with those he was leading. This is great advice for those who are involved in any area of ministry leadership.

The following chapters which expand on the five areas in which a transition in understanding and philosophy were helpful. They really clarified what Cordle was proposing in chapter four. The five areas are: moving from growing deeper to reaching outward; moving from member to disciplemaker; moving from educating to equipping; moving from programs to relationships; and moving from church with cells to church that is cells. Each one of these areas make sense as being essential to the process of transitioning from how one traditionally views church to how the cell-based church approaches ministry. Cordle is right, it is entirely different. He compares transitioning to the cell-based church from a program-based church as someone losing his equilibrium and having to regain his footing. The cell-based ministry is so different from what “we have always done.” Interestingly enough, Cordle appears to have taken us as readers through the same process which he advises everyone considering the change to employ. He has slowly brought us into the transitional process. There are things in the book that are a bit uncomfortable with me mainly because I am uncertain of his standards or definitions when it comes to salvation and spiritual maturity. Yet, I think that his part two of the book which deals with laying the foundations is an excellent blue-print in transitioning to a cell-based church ministry. It seems as though someone could employ these same steps in teaching his own church as a means to transitioning from a program-based church to a cell-based church.

I would say that one way I would use the principles provided in this book would be fine-tune the material found in parts one and two of the book. I really liked how Cordle transitioned the thinking of his readers to understand cell-based ministry and its apparent beneficial aspects of disciplemaking. I would want to find use the material (making my own) to describe cell-based ministry and then to provide a personal example of someone whose life was changed through cell ministry. This personal example becomes so powerful when it encompasses each phase of the cell-based ministry process. I completely agreed with Cordle’s identification of the five areas which must change for a program-based church to properly transition to a cell-based ministry. I think I would take these five areas and define them myself for the purpose of teaching a program-based church with the goal of transitioning them to become a cell-based church.

I thought that overall the book was beneficial. Again, I thought that the structure of the book was one of the most beneficial things.

Planting Churches that Reproduce

February 26, 2010February 26, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

Joel Comiskey divides the book into three sections in which he outlines: first, the foundations of a simple church; second, the principles of a simple church; third, the strategies for starting simple churches. He supplies many personal examples from his own church planting ministry experience, which is helpful. He also provides many examples of others who are in the trenches of planting simple church movements around the world. The examples of widespread simple church movements open one’s eyes to the possibility of rectifying many of the frustrations found in present ministry models. This is a breath of fresh air.

Comiskey begins the first section of the book by repeatedly emphasizing the difficulty of planting a new church. This is especially helpful for any who read this book. He does not leave out the harsh realities of beginning from scratch. The author likens church plants to cacti in the desert. He clearly states the truth when he proclaims that a church planter must win people to Christ or the church plant will not survive. This goes along with the principle that without people there is no church. One must grow to survive is the clear message of the author. Comiskey also clearly points out the need for developing leadership within the pilot small group. There must be training that takes place at a separate time to ensure that the believers within the pilot group are growing spiritually and being equipped to minister within the small group. Once a believer completes the training he is equipped to lead his own small group. Comiskey emphasizes the importance of every member being a minister within the group. This helps people to grow spiritually and to be carrying out the biblical principles of Christianity. Yet, the author never hides the reality of hardship in church planting. The honesty is refreshing.

Next, the author defines for his readers what it actually means to be a simple church. He repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the church model being simple enough so that it may be reproduced elsewhere. If the model is too complicated it will not be reproduced. Comiskey sets forth four principles which he believes help to define simply what a church is: first, it should have more than three people (Mt. 18:15-35); second, there should be God-appointed leadership; third, it operates under Christ’s lordship; fourth, it practices baptism and the Lord’s Supper.¹ The author completes the first section by providing ample N.T. examples of a simple church model. In the two works which I have been exposed to so far, Comiskey attempts to recover a biblical model of doing ministry. This is admirable and inspiring.

In the second section, the author dives into the issues which must be settled before anyone attempts to plant a church (simple model or not). He spends a chapter questioning whether the potential church planter is actually supposed to be a church planter. He provides an example of a man who was passionate about planting a church but did not have the make-up to do so. Comiskey comments on a couple of different tools which help to evaluate the gifting and make-up of individuals to determine whether they should be church planters. He comments that everyone contemplating church planting should submit to some process of evaluation before planting.

The author suggests that future planters determine to prioritize prayer in everything they are doing in ministry. They will need prayer support from other believers to be successful. They also need to determine the core values of the future plant. Comiskey mentions that there are universal principles which will be included in the values but there will also be contextual variations in the values as the church attempts to reach its target population. The author speaks often of the importance of planting a church with a team rather than alone. He trumpets the benefits of shared leadership with a shared ministry load.

Beyond shared leadership, Comiskey urges the leaders to have a coach who will provide encouragement, prayer, ministry, and training. Part of the motivation for this is the discouragement that is often a part of the planting process. The author believes that the presence of a ministry coach will help the planter to endure the slow growth process. He also encourages potential planters to learn as much as possible about the area where they plan to plant. Missionaries on foreign fields must learn culture before and during their ministry overseas. Church planters must also become familiar with their ministry context. This also helps to establish contacts with potential members of the pilot group. There are many principles which must be seriously considered before attempting to plant a church.

In the third section, the author describes cell driven ministry and how to plant a cell church. There is overlap with the previous book, The Church that Multiplies, but the review is helpful. The principles of cell-driven ministry are inspiring. The process of: beginning a pilot cell and living the Christian life deeply together; training leaders; evangelizing as a group and discipling converts, multiplying groups with new leaders and coaching the leaders; the thought of the whole cell-driven model is exciting.

Following the chapters on cell churches, the author outlines how to plant house churches. As is mentioned in the material, house church networks and cell churches are similar in many ways. The words which are used repeatedly are: simple and reproducible. These words are music to my ears. One thing which I did not agree with was the lack of formal leadership in many examples of the house church. Comiskey also touches on this as a potential weakness, along with the lack of coaching for house church leaders. Some within the house church movement are working to resolve these issues. I also noticed a related issue to the lack of formally trained leadership, the lack of biblical training among house church leaders. This could truly harm the quality of the house churches. The potential for heresy would be present. The author mentions house church networks as a solution for some of the potential pitfalls of the movement.

Comiskey ends the book with a call to plant simple reproducible churches. I am in complete agreement with him. I would love to see, experience, and be involved in this model of ministry. I love reading about it but need to see it to be able to really understand everything he is describing. We do need to have more simple churches which are reproducible. I have thought over and over about the principles which the author shares. I long to be involved in a ministry model like the one the author outlines. It seems that this is as close to the biblical model as I have seen. As I seek God’s will in my life, I would absolutely love to learn firsthand how to function in, lead in, train in, and reproduce in a cell-driven ministry. I do not know exactly how this will happen but it is my prayer to do so.

Overall, I think this was an excellent book and very beneficial in formulating my thinking.

1pp. 45-46.

The Importance of Biblical Teaching and Discipleship

February 9, 2010 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

This is an extremely important issue. The saints must be discipled in the deep truths of God’s Word. This is God’s desire that believers grow to full maturity in Christ. It is what He has predestined to occur in their lives. God wills that believers be conformed to the image of Christ. James MacDonald states this very well in his latest blog post Starving Saints. Check it out.

Life movitated by the glory of God

December 21, 2009December 21, 2009 / Christopher Terry / Leave a comment

I have been thinking about John Piper’s suggestion that he has set forth repeatedly in his different books, that is, being motivated by the glory of God to evangelize. I had not previously formulated this as a proper motivation for evangelism before I heard it from Piper. This is actually a very biblical idea. When one reads of Moses speaking to the Israelites prior to entering the Promised Land he mentions,

“For what great nation is there that has a god near to it as the Lord our God is ⌊to us⌋ whenever we call to Him?
8 And what great nation has righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
9 “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.
10 The day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people before Me, and I will let them hear My words, so that they may learn to ^•fear Me all the days they live on the earth and may instruct their children.’
11 You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire into the heavens and enveloped in a dense, black cloud.
12 Then the Lord spoke to you from the fire. You kept hearing the sound of the words, but didn’t see a form; there was only a voice.
13 He declared His covenant to you. He commanded you to follow the Ten Commandments, which He wrote on two stone tablets.
14 At that time the Lord commanded me to teach you statutes and ordinances for you to follow in the land you are about to cross into and possess.

“Indeed, ask about the earlier days that preceded you, from the day God created man on the earth and from one end of the heavens to the other: Has anything like this great event ⌊ever⌋ happened, or has anything like it been heard of?
33 Has a people heard God’s voice speaking from the fire as you have, and lived?
34 Or has a god attempted to go and take a nation as his own out of ⌊another⌋ nation, by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, by great terrors, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
35 You were shown ⌊these things⌋ so that you would know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides Him.
36 He let you hear His voice from heaven to instruct you. He showed you His great fire on earth, and you heard His words from the fire.
37 Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power,
38 to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you in and give you their land as an inheritance, as is now taking place.
39 Today, recognize and keep in mind that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.
40 Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:1-14, 32-40 HCSB

This is something that born again Christians should genuinely consider. Guilt does not work well as motivation. Yet, every one of us is very inclined to share with others about magnificent moments in life: good deals on cars, insurance, groceries, clothes, etc… Yet, born again Christians have a relationship with the one true God through faith in Christ’s substitutionary atonement. This is truly powerful motivation to speak to the nations about the great God who has ransomed us through His Son. Consider living your life motivated by the greatness which belongs to the God of the Bible.

Cambridge NASB Wide Margin Reference Bible in Black Goatskin leather

November 17, 2009December 3, 2009 / Christopher Terry / 1 Comment

When I received this Bible as a review copy from Cambridge Press I immediately noticed the non-traditional design of the Bible itself. I have come to absolutely love the format of this beautifully crafted Bible. The Bible itself is bound in goatskin leather. The cover is leather-lined which results in a very flexible cover. The grain of the leather is the finest I have seen. I had my NASB Zondervan Study Bible rebound in chocolate goatskin by Mechling Bindery and Mechling did an excellent job. But, the leather on the Cambridge Bible far surpasses the Mechling goatskin in quality.

The pages are smyth-sewn which allows the Bible to lay completely flat. The pages themselves are thick, very nice. One thing that I really love about this Bible is that the paper is not a bright white. It is more of an off-white which makes it easier on the eyes. The pages have gold gilding and red underneath. I have never owned a Bible that possessed this feature. It presents a classic look. The text has the words of Christ in red. I would prefer black if I had the choice, but it is not a big deal to me. The font is very readable. Cambridge used a very bold ink which makes it very visually appealing and clear.

There is plenty of room in the margins for notes. There is less room on the inside margin for notes, but presents more space than other wide margin Bibles I have seen. There are maps in the back. This is a nice feature when using the Bible to instruct others. In the back of the Bible, behind the concordance, you will find a number of lined pages for note taking purposes. This is a nice feature.

I would have to say that the format and features of this Bible make it the finest that I have ever seen.