[M]any baptists/Baptists have forgotten their own theology of the sacraments/ordinances and have practiced them inconsistently with our history and theology. – Roger Olson
I have found this article by Dr. Olson, professor of theology at Baylor University, most interesting. It is specifically limited to his fellow Baptists, but has much to commend it to a broader audience. Dr. Olson’s insights into receiving Holy Communion are particularly useful. He correctly shows that there is no biblical warrant to demand baptism prior to receiving Communion.
Olson’s main thrust is about the decline in Baptist churches to remain true to their theology of the sacraments and either not think about the issue, or think about it sloppily. Let me reinforce the point with my own observations as I have witnessed a variety Baptist or “non-denominational” (ex-Baptists) churches do baptism. One church in particular really stunned me when the minister immersed the teen aspirant, but said no words, as in the classic Trinitarian formula, or even the United Pentecostal “Onto the name of Jesus.” Nothing. That is an extreme case, but points to what Olson complains about. I hope many people read Olson’s article and give more thought to their sacramental ministry.
Antipas Harris introduces the Norfolk Police Department Clergy Patrol. Watch the story that was featured on national television. Norfolk pastors and the Norfolk Police Department discussed the Clergy Patrol on the 700 Club (CBN), Monday morning, Feb 12, at 9am EST. Learn how pastors and clergy work together to engage Norfolk, Virginia residents. Antipas…
Michael R. Milco, Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership: Case Studies in Biblical Decision Making (Kregel Academic & Professional, 1997), 192 pages, ISBN 9780825431975. Are you facing a crisis? Need to make a sensitive decision? How you aware of how your personality affects how you make difficult decisions? Ethical Dilemmas In Church Leadership is an…
David Murrow, “Mild At Heart: The disturbing exodus of men from the church, and how you can change it.” Ministries Today (May/June 2005, Vol 23, No. 3), pages 40-44, 46. David Murrow starts his article with statistics. They tell a poor story. Men make up less than 40% of U.S. Churches and that number…
Editorial Introduction Please join us for a short series reprinting chapters from The Long Journey Home: Understanding and Ministering to the Sexually Abused. Beginning a conversation about sexual abuse is uncomfortable, but we feel strongly that this topic is something the church needs to address. We believe the testimonies of authentic recovery can help us…
Charles H. Kraft, Power Encounter In Spiritual Warfare (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2017), 124 pages, ISBN 9781532617140. Charles Kraft has taught at Fuller Seminary and has served as a missionary in Nigeria. In addition to these ministries he has also written a number of books including: Christianity With Power: Your Worldview and Your Experience…
Let’s face facts, we are all going to face some type of pressure in our ministry. How are you reacting to pressure and how do you overcome it? My nearly-sixteen-year-old daughter’s favorite movie is Braveheart. Naturally, if William Wallace can capture Mackenzie’s heart I want to be all that Wallace is and more. In…
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