Tag: church

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Church Growth as Stewardship

Providence Church was honored to bring in 46 new members yesterday. We don’t treat these new members like a badge of honor for meeting our annual quota. Quotas be damned! There are blessings for growth to which any congregation must steward well.

We can’t live in the romantic era wishing things remained neat and tidy because romanticism is a subtle form of deception. The parents with five children who long for the good ol’ days of one child are likely failing to handle the present by longing for the past.

Growth can be a sign of health, but if not carefully shepherded, it can be the first real feature of compromise. Like all our members, these new members are aware that to be a formal member means that they are formal representatives of a body. This means that they must take Paul’s words seriously to avoid a quarrelsome spirit, seek the unity of the body, commit to the church’s doctrine and life, and avoid the all-encompassing expressive individualism of our day.

We are also quite aware that there will always be growth areas for parishioners and pastors, but these areas of sanctification occur within an established paradigm of commonality, which does not mean “precise agreement” but general and charitable agreement on the trajectory of our congregation as a local body, and a body within the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches.

Pray for us because we pray for many of you (within and outside the CREC) in Escambia County and around the globe.

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What is Pentecost Sunday?

Here is the bad news: Pentecost will likely not have the prestige of Christmas and Easter. In some ways, we are still trying to persuade evangelicals of the need for the Church Calendar. But we move on with our agenda. It is crucial to know that we are talking only about Classic Reformational and Lutheran celebrations, which include Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. In other words, these are conspicuously Christ-centered feasts. These feasts exalt the work and name of Jesus.

Some may say, “But we celebrate Easter all year long. Why do we have to set time aside to celebrate it in particular?” While this comment is noble, it is important to note that you can’t say everything all the time lest you say nothing at all. In other words, there is simply no way to celebrate all these events all the time. Hence, the Church has developed a way of celebrating, remembering, and internalizing the life of Jesus throughout the year.

So, what is Pentecost, and what are some ways we can celebrate this Feast?

Pentecost means the fiftieth day because it is the 50th day after Passover. This was also the Feast of the Harvest. In fact, we can say that Pentecost is the great fulfillment of all previous Pentecosts. The Old Testament Feasts led us to this fiery moment of redemptive history in the first century. The Great Harvest Feast is now being fulfilled, and God is harvesting the nations. Christ is sitting at the Father’s right hand, and the nations are being given to Jesus Christ as an inheritance (Ps. 110).

This year, Pentecost is from May 19th to November 30th.

How can I celebrate this Feast?

One way to be liturgically self-conscious is to practice a few things.

First, you should wear something red this Sunday. Remember the promise of Acts 2 that the Spirit would be poured out like fire. Pentecost is the re-birth of the Church. Red symbolizes the fire that came from heaven and empowered the Church as they moved from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Secondly, use this time to talk to your children about the Holy Spirit. The Third Person of the Godhead is often set aside as the forgotten Person of the Trinity, but he should not be. We must remember that Jesus refers to the Spirit as our Comforter (Jn. 14:16). Reading Acts 2 and other passages about the work of the Spirit is a healthy way of bringing recognition to the One who is truly God.

Thirdly, allow this feast, which celebrates the reversal of Babel, to be a reminder that God has made a new humanity through his Spirit. We are no longer a divided ethnos; we are one new creation of Jews and Gentiles. Live out gospel reconciliation in every possible situation.

Fourthly, educate yourself about other Church traditions. As a Reformed pastor, I can honestly say that I have learned much from my Anglican, Lutheran, and Baptist brothers and sisters. Pentecost is a reminder that our differences should never cause us to divide from other Trinitarian believers.

Finally, do not be hopeless in this season. God has not left us orphans. The absence of Jesus’ physical body on earth means his presence at the right hand of the Father in heaven, ruling and reigning by his Spirit, forming a resurrected creation under his reign.

Christ is Risen! Rejoice greatly! The Spirit is among us!

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The Ascension House

Long ago, our Father in Heaven had a plan. His plan was to create the world as a theater to display his glory. The world was to be a house that reflected his name. The Shekinah glory was to remain there forever. But through many dangers, deceit, and downfalls, the house slowly lost the purpose the Builder had for it.

But you see, God’s construction plans are not like our building projects. His ways are not our ways. He was going to restore, rebuild, and reclaim his own house. This time, the house was not going to be built on spiritual adultery or religious idolatry. It would be built on the Rock, which was Christ.

In the life of Jesus, the foundation was poured on the earth. In his death, the wall and roof were placed to cover and shade the world. In his resurrection, fresh, clean water is available to the nations. He is the fountain of everlasting life. But there is one part of this earthly construction that is missing. There is a foundation, a roof to protect you from the storms, and running water to shower and quench our thirst, but now we need to turn the house on. We need the power to turn the refrigerator, stove, microwave, air conditioner, heater, fan, laptops, cell phones, etc., whatever it is to make this a functional operation. If this will be the kingdom’s headquarters, we need it on! We must activate the house so everyone can live with a purpose; we must ensure that the priesthood of the house is equipped to spread the story of the household far and wide.

The Ascension of Jesus is that singular event in history that gives life to everything; that sets everything into motion. It is the power that the Church needs to disciple the nations.

Without the Ascension, we are living in an almost finished property. But with the Ascension, the kingdom is not just ready, it is eager to be inhabited once and for all. The power is on. We can now move in together as a Church and take care of it. Let us prepare our hearts to celebrate the ascension of the master of the House; the reigning King, Jesus Christ.

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What are the distinctives of the CREC?

The purpose of the CREC is not to be the PCA without Tim Keller or the OPC without D.G. Hart. We reject third-wayism and dualism, but there is much more that comprises who we are.

We are a communion of Reformed churches deeply interested in cultural renewal within the church and the home, theology that comes out of our fingertips, and a liturgy that enriches God’s people with joy.

Our confessions, diverse yet unified, reflect our catholicity. But it’s our shared distinctives that truly define us. We acknowledge that these may differ from the trajectory of other Reformed bodies, but they are the pillars of our 130+ churches. Among them are our eschatology, epistemology, and ecclesiology.

Our postmillennialism is deeply embedded in our lives. This is more than a preference for historical optimism. Postmillennialism is how we see the Bible moving. It is far from a mere academic discussion. In fact, it would not be easy to function happily in the CREC without that eschatological predisposition. It impacts everything from our preaching/teaching to our education and interpretation of the times.

Our presuppositionalism asserts that we are not ashamed of the Word of God or its language. The language of the Scriptures is the vocabulary of heaven, and we submit to its wisdom in totality. It further gives us confidence in affirming doctrines like six-day creationism, though many consider us Neanderthals. It is nearly impossible to come into the CREC denying that Genesis paradigm. We do not belittle tradition but restore tradition to its rightful place. The testimony of the church (tradition) leads us to a high and reverent esteem of the Sacred Scriptures.

Our paedocommunion practice is fundamental to our existence as a whole. Without the communing of baptized children, the CREC would fail to offer the grounds for our covenantal theology. Covenant communion is the way we enflesh our theology of children. We affirm that baptized children shall receive all the covenant benefits. We also believe that they are integral members of the body of Christ, without whom worship would be incomplete. While some congregations can function outside this system, they must understand that they are co-laboring with an undeniable majority who believe life and table, water and word, bread and wine, worship, and participation belong unto them.

We are happy to form fraternal relations with many denominations, and we have a growing sense of unity with a host of institutions and denominations who share our conservative political convictions against the insanity of the leftist ideologues. and the goal is to build much more on those in the months and years ahead.

While we wish to continue growing, we understand that not every church is a good fit for the CREC. While we cherish the hundreds of inquiries received worldwide and the overwhelming interest in our communion, we also want to grow in a manner that honors who we are without diluting the principles that made us who we are.

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Critics of the Armor of God

It’s good to be back and see that the world acted just splendidly without my insights. I have used seasons like Lent to read and write more to a limited group. My substack account has filled that void, and I would encourage you to subscribe: https://drbrito.substack.com/. I suspect the world will be headed toward a more de-centralized writing platform allowing writers to use their gifts without much censorship. Substack has been wonderful in giving readers a sense of my journey in travels, writing, and projects.

I was also able to spend a significant time this season talking about my new book. Books like mine have a one-month momentum, which needs to be absorbed. I tried to use that short season to do 15 podcast interviews, including a talk at New Saint Andrews College’s Sword and Shovel Bookstore. The evening was wonderful and filled with delightful conversations.

Beyond that it has been great to hear of churches buying copies for Book studies. That was one of my central reasons for writing a book on a familiar text. I wanted folks to see the armor of God in the context of priestly warfare. I think the argument is compelling and has been compelling to various audiences.

Those who have seen my work as a kind of typological overreach have their concerns, and I respect them. But what I attempted to do is build the armor through priestly patterns, patterns that I believe are overwhelmingly present throughout the Scriptures. I have run away from mystical and esoteric interpretations, choosing the Scriptures to speak its own language with its raw simplicity.

I have further argued that Paul was not a bored prisoner staring into a Roman soldier and building his metaphor, but instead richly active, imaginatively using the categories from which he builds his entire pastoral theology (and if he did write Hebrews, the pattern becomes even more striking).

I may not have convinced everyone that there is something to consider in the priestly theme, but I have hopefully moved the ball in the right direction.

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Translation of II John 9-13

Verse 9: Everyone who goes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Verse 10: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greetings (or: “rejoicing” chairen).

Verse 11: For whoever greets him (shares in; fellowships with; associates in mission) fellowships in his evil works.

Verse 12: Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to come to you and talk face to face so that our joy may be complete.

Verse 13: The children of your elect sister greet you.

Notes: There is a liturgical exchange taking place in the church. They greet one another, which is a way of building orthodoxy among them. Those who do not greet do not understand the life of the Church and are to be chastised. Hospitality is greater than simply providing food.

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Ten Propositions on Feasting

This has been a weekend of abundance among friends. I have savored so much of it, from homemade pizza to superb soups, meats, flavorful desserts, and a treasury of drinks and the ever-restful pipe tobacco. Add to these assortments the smiles and stories and we have the definition of feasting in its highest expression. Yet many don’t see or cherish this life or even may desire it but fail to see the need to absorb it as a highlight of the Christian experience. They try not; therefore, they feast not.

In what follows, I wish to lay out ten propositions on feasting to guide us through this intense season of expectation and celebration coming in the weeks ahead:

First, we eat without thanksgiving. Gluttony exists because thanksgiving does not. Eating is not a neutral exercise. Christians eat as acts of triumph over the world. God eats us in his love, and we eat the body and blood of our risen Savior by faith and love.

Second, the ritual of eating is undervalued in America. In this country, food is consumption. We eat because we want to or because it is entertainment; therefore, we eat without intentionality. When rites become trite, our experiences become trivial, and the doors for abuse open wider.

Third, corporate eating is devalued because we allow the immature to rule over the table. Parents must re-assert their authority over the table and keep food at the table and not on laps in front of laptops. This should be done at least in one meal a day.

Fourth, feasting suffers when worship looks like a funeral. If every head is bowed and eyes are closed, we cannot see the feast or hear the feasters. Feasting is diminished when worship is feast-less in character. Feasting must be jubilant in worship and overflowing with worshipful acts.

Fifth, feasting is best formalized and appointed. When it is that way, it can be adorned with fancy napkins and plates and silverware and glasses. It allows family members to long for something better. We are gnostics to think that immediacy is best. Christians understand that better feasts mean preparing more to enjoy better.

Sixth, feasts are more meaningful when we incorporate singing. Feasts in the Bible are celebrations of our freedom from bondage. Singing to Yahweh a new song is declaring Pharaoh will never rule over our appetites again.

Seventh, there is no friendship without Christ. There are shared experiences and stories, but friendship is rooted in a shared Christ. Feasts are accentuated when brothers dwell together.

Eighth, relationships change and are re-directed. Someone who was a friend in eighth grade may not be a friend now. God gives us a rotation of friends through life because He knows that our changes will require new people to speak into our particular phases of life. Feasts restore friendships and renew friendships and are the genesis of new friendships.

Ninth, many of us are worse friends than we think, but we have better friends than we deserve. Feasts create the environment for friendship rituals to be exercised in service and communion.

Tenth, all rituals require meaning. All good things require work. Therefore, all feasting is meaningful work. It provides true health for the Christian.

Real health is grounded in a proper relationship with God, and since this relationship is in part sacramental, it involves physical things. The purpose of these physical aspects is not, however, to provide mechanical health to the “human biological machine.” Instead, the goal of these physical aspects is to communicate to us, in a mystery, the grace of God.

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Have Babies Because It’s Dangerous

It’s a common observation by younger couples pursuing marriage or recently married. It happens often enough in the evangelical landscape to be addressed broadly. The general thesis is that this is a dangerous era to have children. The world is a crazy place with hipsters, Kamala Harris, and Harry Styles. I get the fear. I get the cultural grossness. I even get the skepticism of young parents. But let me tell you a thing or two.

Nothing is more joyful than populating the earth with children (Gen. 1:26-28). Nothing is more valuable than seeing these little arrows grow up to irritate leftists with their “Bible this” and “Bible that,” with their intrinsic sense of image-bearing dignity and intense distaste for worldliness.

Now, children can bring grief to their father and mother (Prov. 17:25), but when they seek the things of heaven, they make life a living hell to hell-bound elite parliamentarians.

This is not the most dangerous era of history to have children; this is actually the most productive age to have children. Nay, it is the most adventurous and God-honoring stage of history to have children. And to be really consistent, this is the kind of thing I would say if I were alive 100 years from now.

I would tell every newly married couple to plan wisely to have children and have them at a rate where the 1.9-average-a-year-climate-crisis-expert finds you repulsive. Greta Thunberg will probably not have kids because she thinks the world is in a crisis. She and her legacy will pass away like vapor (Eccl. 1:4), but your kids will take it from her and prove that the world’s crisis is only that which is divorced from Messiah Jesus.

This is the best season in history to have children. It is the most prominent with possibilities for the good to flourish. It is the most fruitful to build true worshipers.

Have babies. Sanctify them. And send them out to roar.

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A Brief Theology of Bread

The Bible has a thoroughly developed theology of bread. Bread appears as a gift, such as Melchizedek’s gift to Abram; it shows up when Jacob deceives Esau and gives him some bread with the lentil stew. Bread is also a protagonist in the Passover Feast; it’s what fed the Israelites in the wilderness. in fact, sharing bread in the Psalms expresses close friendships. In the Book of Ruth, dipping bread in vinegar is given as a ritual that brings Boaz and Ruth together. It is a marital bonding ritual. And these are only morsels of examples.

If you were to put all that data together, you would see that the purpose of bread—whether literal or figurative– is central to the relational life of the church. In I Corinthians, Paul says that we are one loaf, which is to say we are bound together as one. And finally, in John 6, Jesus is called the true bread from heaven.

At the Lord’s Supper, we eat from one bread to fulfill this beautiful typology. God uses this theme to invite us to his Son, the bread of life. We come together today as one loaf offered to God. May God hear us and accept our bodies as living loaves in his sight.

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The Fearful Mother

'I Cannot! It Would Be a Sin! A Fearful Sin!'

Dear Sister,

Your question was, and I hope I am doing justice to its insightfulness: “What actions can a Christian take when she is living in fear for the country’s future?” It seems you are frightened by what you perceive to be an attack on a country you love. You are politically active online and constantly update yourself with the news cycle. And from what you told me, you are in several private groups discussing various political topics. If the picture I paint is correct, here are two ways to move forward:

First, allow me to be reasonably direct with you since you posed the question with the anticipation of an objective answer. I want to see you diminish 10% of your time on the news cycle this week. I trust I am being reasonable here. If I told you to cut off all your time, it would be too aggressive a strategy at this stage. 10% would look like keeping your cell phone charged in another room when you come to bed at night. That little ritual shift can be enormously fruitful in diminishing fear in your life. The end goal is not to forsake the political world–as if you had a choice–but the ultimate goal is to think rightly about the political world. You will find that very often the politics of God and the politics of this world are diametrically different.

I can assure you that your fascination with politics and your pessimism about the future stems from something much deeper. In other words, there are more intrinsic fears you have that are overflowing into your perspective about the world and you need to see the overarching context of your fears.

You need to contemplate these small changes because I have watched couples–and specifically, mothers–offer more of their body and soul to these external causes than the internal causes of their households. Remember what I have told you: the anxious person controls the home. You do not want your anxieties to control the lives of your children and spouse.

Therefore, I think you need less screen time at night as a starter. I think you need less bombardment from paid media gurus who literally increase their wealth by spreading more panic. More panic among viewers, more sponsors, and more wealth. You have not been given a spirit of fear, and part of that gift is that you are to steward your courage well so that it doesn’t lose its fervor. When courage and hopefulness are running low, fear happily takes its place.

Secondly, I urge you to worship well. And by that, I mean practicing rituals of worship regularly. If your schedule is filled with worshipping practices, your orientation towards political zealotry will diminish. I have seen moms get so identified with political parties–in my world, the GOP–that they would gladly take an invitation to a GOP convention than the invitation God offers to worship. This is problematic. It’s not just your heart that is in danger, but those around you. If you cannot think rightly about the world, you will not think rightly about God and his call to worship.

Stay close to friends who cherish your heart and well-being, and do not give in to zealots who tempt you to be a revolutionary. Your role is to revolutionize your home with beauty and to strengthen your soul with laughter.

Sincerely,

Pastor Uriesou Brito

#letters