Welcome to Equip for Ministry. Your readership is important to us. We know there are many demands on your time and much to be read. We do not take you for granted. Each issue is intended to have something worthwhile, whether it is in the main topic, news, book reviews or the advertisements.

I asked Don Clements, teaching elder at Westminster Church in Roanoke, Virginia, and permanent CE&P committee member, to write our lead article, which underscores the importance of knowing our roots. In a day in which many of the postmodern generations do not show interest in organized or institutional religion, and particularly denominationalism, it is important for us to demonstrate that we know who we are, where we are presently, and what we might learn to help us move forward. While some would tend to say that denominationalism is no longer important, we believe that denominations can and do serve a useful purpose, if they are not creating a wall among Christians, but rather giving an opportunity for diversity in the body of Christ and a way to express their uniqueness to the overall church.

Recently, I read a comment by Collin Hansen from the Christianity Today Library online that hit me squarely between the eyes. He said, “Evangelicals sometimes don’t know what to do with history…We use history as a euphemism for churches that let allegiance to the past snuff out the Spirit’s work today.” I also thought of a question in the book One Faith, the Evangelical Consensus, by J. I. Packer and Thomas Oden: “Are evangelicals fragmenting into ever smaller divisions, as some fear?” I quickly researched some of my major works on “evangelicalism.” It dawned on me, while there are general themes dealt with on God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, etc. in those outstanding books, the topic of the church (ecclesiology) is strikingly absent. Is it any wonder that there are so many para-church organizations, denominations, and a lack of understanding of the church? Could that be contributing to a lack of appreciation, love, and importance of the church for Christians today?

With a younger generation coming along that doesn’t know about electric typewriters, 45-rpm records, black and white television or certain diseases, God’s instruction is for us to pass on to the next generation “the faith once delivered to the saints.” Younger generations need to know some of the historic creeds and confessions of our Christian faith. They need to find the comfort and instruction of the great Psalms and hymns and other spiritual songs of the faith that are part of our liturgy and worship. They need to know of the legacy and roots of the church and to know why such things are so important for today and the future.

We expand on that idea in “In Case You’re Asked” by specifically focusing on a brief review of D. H. Williams’ Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church. We attempt to respond to the questions why should and would anyone want to study church history and tradition? Why not simply open the Bible and use it alone? Using Williams’ book, we attempt to respond to those valid questions.

The book reviews have been chosen to complement this topic, but each has something to offer in understanding the Bible, the church, and its history. The Pocket History of Theology is a small volume by Roger Olson and Adam English. We comment on that book both in “In Case You’re Asked” as well as the book review sections. Also reviewed is the Children’s Bible, which uses the English Standard Version (ESV), a translation appearing in more and more PCA church pews and homes. We review the Bible Handbook, another resource to help understand the Bible and its history. Our resource coordinator Dick Aeschliman has an important review of a new book Why Men Hate Going to Church, dealing with the church and man’s response to it. It will be reminiscent of a book we reviewed a couple of years ago, entitled The Church Impotent, The Feminization of the Church, by Leon Podles. The challenge for male leadership in society, the home, and especially the church has never been more needed than today.

With a renewing interest in small groups in local church ministries, Bob Edmiston, our coordinator of training, shares some thoughts in the Equip Tip that will be worth reading. In this issue Edmiston focuses on the importance of true Bible study in small groups.

Be sure to check the “CE&P At A Glance” section. There you will meet two of our twenty plus regional trainers. These men and women work with CE&P staff to assist churches in their geographic areas with training of teachers, developing Christian education or discipleship ministries, as well as consulting with church. You will also read about CE&P’s upcoming conferences.

Remember as you read, CE&P is here to help and assist churches and individuals with their discipleship process personally, in small groups, and with the church as a whole. We have resources from staff, bookstore, video library, and our Great Commission Sunday school curriculum to help you develop strong, biblically reformed, and healthy churches.

Back to Equip