I want to unashamedly steal the tagline used by the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. Having been a student there, I am familiar many times over with these words: For the truth, for the church, for the world, for the glory of God.
How simple, and yet how spot-on! I desire that Crossway Church have this same mindset. We exist for the sake of the truth, for the sake of the church that Christ loves, for the sake of a world in desperate need of Christ, and ultimately for the glory of God. Notice the bookends on this tagline. Without truth at the front-end, we immediately go astray. Without the glory of God as our fuel and goal, we aim for something far too little.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
How to Study Your Bible
What is essential to being able to really understand the Bible? A knowledge of the biblical languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek? How about modern technological tools such as Bibleworks or other software?
Well, these can certainly be helpful, and the original languages are clearly important for scholars and leaders in the church. But, as I read the latest edition of Southern Seminary's magazine, I was reminded of some simple and great teaching that I received from Dr. Rob Plummer years ago. Here's what he writes in answer to a question about the role of modern technology in his own study and preparation for sermons:
"From my experience, nothing compares to Luther's advice: Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio (Prayer, Meditation, and Trials). As we approach the Scripture, we begin with a humble posture of prayer. Then, we soak meditatively in the Scripture--seeking the Spirit's illumination. Thirdly, we trust the sovereignty of God in teaching us the beauty, truth and comforts of Scripture through the trials we face. These experiential realities then enable us to convey passionately the truth we know to others. Of these three core elements, only Meditatio is served through technology--potentially enabling us easier access to texts and tools to think, sing, pray and speak the Scripture in meditative fashion."
There you have it; thanks Dr. Plummer! At its best, technology is a servant. The enduring realities of life and of Bible study don't change.
Well, these can certainly be helpful, and the original languages are clearly important for scholars and leaders in the church. But, as I read the latest edition of Southern Seminary's magazine, I was reminded of some simple and great teaching that I received from Dr. Rob Plummer years ago. Here's what he writes in answer to a question about the role of modern technology in his own study and preparation for sermons:
"From my experience, nothing compares to Luther's advice: Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio (Prayer, Meditation, and Trials). As we approach the Scripture, we begin with a humble posture of prayer. Then, we soak meditatively in the Scripture--seeking the Spirit's illumination. Thirdly, we trust the sovereignty of God in teaching us the beauty, truth and comforts of Scripture through the trials we face. These experiential realities then enable us to convey passionately the truth we know to others. Of these three core elements, only Meditatio is served through technology--potentially enabling us easier access to texts and tools to think, sing, pray and speak the Scripture in meditative fashion."
There you have it; thanks Dr. Plummer! At its best, technology is a servant. The enduring realities of life and of Bible study don't change.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
To Know Him More
"Here I am an ant, and as I view a nest of ants so dost thou view me and my fellow-creatures; But as an ant knows not me, my nature, my thoughts, so here I cannot know thee clearly. But there I shall be near thee..."
- from the prayer "Heaven Desired" in the Valley of Vision
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Crossway Church Covenant
Hopefully, you've had the chance to look at our statement of faith. Another very important and foundational document for our church is our covenant.
Just like the statement of faith, our church covenant is not meant to rival Scripture in any way. That being said, however, there is a key similarity to the function of the doctrinal statement. Both documents help us to know and agree upon what the Bible actually says. Contrary to some popular opinion, Christians are people who believe certain definable truths and who live in a certain observable way. So, our statement of faith and our covenant are helpful summaries that members of Crossway can rally around, agree to, and seek God's help in attaining.
In other words, we know we want real, vibrant Christian community at Crossway, but what does that look like? A good starting place is a church covenant. In reality, this is the essence of what it is to be a church--we "covenant" together to live as a church in a way that pleases God. And, we only do this in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Check out our church covenant, and, if you are not a part of a local church, come get to know us more at Crossway.
Just like the statement of faith, our church covenant is not meant to rival Scripture in any way. That being said, however, there is a key similarity to the function of the doctrinal statement. Both documents help us to know and agree upon what the Bible actually says. Contrary to some popular opinion, Christians are people who believe certain definable truths and who live in a certain observable way. So, our statement of faith and our covenant are helpful summaries that members of Crossway can rally around, agree to, and seek God's help in attaining.
In other words, we know we want real, vibrant Christian community at Crossway, but what does that look like? A good starting place is a church covenant. In reality, this is the essence of what it is to be a church--we "covenant" together to live as a church in a way that pleases God. And, we only do this in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Check out our church covenant, and, if you are not a part of a local church, come get to know us more at Crossway.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Where We Stand
Crossway Church is thankful that we can present our Statement of Faith at this time. One of the most important and foundational documents for our church and for who we are, this statement sets forth what we believe. In reading our statement, you will find that it represents historic Christian beliefs. We are Protestant/Evangelical, Baptist, and Reformed in our beliefs about God's grace in salvation.
With a few revisions, our statement is an abbreviated form of the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000 (our article on "man" looks back to the BF&M 1925 as well). We chose this particular Statement of Faith not only because of its wide acceptance and proven faithfulness but because it uniquely helps us to put forward what we believe. For example, we wanted a statement that reflected our emphasis on the one God as triune, and this statement teaches biblical truth about each person of the Trinity. The article on salvation, in the same way, gives both an overview and particular details of our redemption in Christ.
Other things that we really appreciate about this statement include these:
- No one, specific position is represented in the article on "Last Things," but the glorious Bible truths about the end times are clear.
- The statement overall is general enough to highlight historic Christianity but specific enough to help us express our stand on sometimes controversial issues (e.g. the office of pastor is limited to men).
- Doctrinal statements aren't limited to "theoretical" issues alone. So, article IX identifies our belief in the priority of the Great Commission (while article V identifies what we believe to be the sure foundation for the success of this gospel call).
Enjoy reading our Statement and being reminded of central truths!
With a few revisions, our statement is an abbreviated form of the Baptist Faith and Message, 2000 (our article on "man" looks back to the BF&M 1925 as well). We chose this particular Statement of Faith not only because of its wide acceptance and proven faithfulness but because it uniquely helps us to put forward what we believe. For example, we wanted a statement that reflected our emphasis on the one God as triune, and this statement teaches biblical truth about each person of the Trinity. The article on salvation, in the same way, gives both an overview and particular details of our redemption in Christ.
Other things that we really appreciate about this statement include these:
- No one, specific position is represented in the article on "Last Things," but the glorious Bible truths about the end times are clear.
- The statement overall is general enough to highlight historic Christianity but specific enough to help us express our stand on sometimes controversial issues (e.g. the office of pastor is limited to men).
- Doctrinal statements aren't limited to "theoretical" issues alone. So, article IX identifies our belief in the priority of the Great Commission (while article V identifies what we believe to be the sure foundation for the success of this gospel call).
Enjoy reading our Statement and being reminded of central truths!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Crossway Church and Prayer
"So, what is your church going to be like; how will it be different; what will be your target audience?" These are questions that often come to people's minds when they hear about a new church. No doubt, these are questions that are foundational and important. Even though the verse is used out of context frequently, the fact still remains that "without vision the people perish." We've got to know what we're doing, what we're about.
If you've explored our website a little, you've already gotten a feel for some of our distinctives--just where it is that we're coming from. We love the triune God. We love His Word. We love to see His kingdom expand and more people come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We like to answer the question 'who will be your target audience?' by saying, 'Wayne County' or 'all kinds of men, women, boys, and girls who need the gospel.'
But what about a distinctive that often doesn't seem so flashy? I'm talking about prayer. Didn't Jesus himself say that his Father's house was a house of prayer? Does the church have an altogether different agenda than this? We recently took a couple of weeks in our care group meeting to think about this vital issue of prayer and our desperate need of it as we launch Crossway. We considered the prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9, and we thought about how Moses' prayer in Psalm 90 helps us today. These were encouraging studies, but we pray that it will only be the beginning of what will come to be a defining characteristic of Crossway Church in Goldsboro: fervent, prevailing prayer. May God help us to be faithful in this specific joy-filled task that He has called us to.
If you've explored our website a little, you've already gotten a feel for some of our distinctives--just where it is that we're coming from. We love the triune God. We love His Word. We love to see His kingdom expand and more people come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We like to answer the question 'who will be your target audience?' by saying, 'Wayne County' or 'all kinds of men, women, boys, and girls who need the gospel.'
But what about a distinctive that often doesn't seem so flashy? I'm talking about prayer. Didn't Jesus himself say that his Father's house was a house of prayer? Does the church have an altogether different agenda than this? We recently took a couple of weeks in our care group meeting to think about this vital issue of prayer and our desperate need of it as we launch Crossway. We considered the prayer of Daniel in Daniel 9, and we thought about how Moses' prayer in Psalm 90 helps us today. These were encouraging studies, but we pray that it will only be the beginning of what will come to be a defining characteristic of Crossway Church in Goldsboro: fervent, prevailing prayer. May God help us to be faithful in this specific joy-filled task that He has called us to.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
What's so special about Crossway??
A few of us have been reading a new book by Mike McKinley, Church Planting is For Wimps: How God Uses Messed-up People to Plant Ordinary Churches That Do Extraordinary Things.
The idea behind the title involves McKinley poking fun at church planters because they have an easier job than men who go into an existing church that needs change and revitalization. In the end, Mike loves church planting and the book is quite suitable for planters.
I was especially encouraged by chapter three--"One thing is necessary." The "one thing" to which McKinley refers is the Word of God, especially the Word as it is preached. He writes that what his church needed most (he embarked on a church revitalization project five years ago) "was someone to preach God's Word to them. And, friend, if you are a church planter or church revitalizer, this is what your church needs as well." (p.49)
So, what will make Crossway Church of Goldsboro such a special community of believers in Jesus? Why should you consider checking us out or supporting us? Well, it won't be because we are super savvy; Lord willing, it will be because we love God's Word--which is just that, the actual Word of the one true God. In McKinley's words, we hope to "teach God's Word. Evangelize using God's Word. Disciple people using God's Word. And then, when you [we] launch a public service, preach God's Word." (53)
The idea behind the title involves McKinley poking fun at church planters because they have an easier job than men who go into an existing church that needs change and revitalization. In the end, Mike loves church planting and the book is quite suitable for planters.
I was especially encouraged by chapter three--"One thing is necessary." The "one thing" to which McKinley refers is the Word of God, especially the Word as it is preached. He writes that what his church needed most (he embarked on a church revitalization project five years ago) "was someone to preach God's Word to them. And, friend, if you are a church planter or church revitalizer, this is what your church needs as well." (p.49)
So, what will make Crossway Church of Goldsboro such a special community of believers in Jesus? Why should you consider checking us out or supporting us? Well, it won't be because we are super savvy; Lord willing, it will be because we love God's Word--which is just that, the actual Word of the one true God. In McKinley's words, we hope to "teach God's Word. Evangelize using God's Word. Disciple people using God's Word. And then, when you [we] launch a public service, preach God's Word." (53)
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