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As we bring you
the fourth issue of Equip to Disciple, we want to share
with you our appreciation for the comments and suggestions we
have received this year. We have and are continuing to process
some of the suggestions to make this publication a true resource
for you. To support the 2006 Assembly’s approval of some basic
themes discussed in a PCA strategic planning effort, we chose
three to focus on during this past year: the rising generation,
leadership (including the eldership), and stewardship. Each of
the three previous issues of Equip to Disciple
highlighted and featured these themes. All three areas were also
assigned to Christian Education and Publications at its
organizational convention and ratified by the first General
Assembly in 1973.
In this final
issue of 2007, we are featuring the topic of the church. This is
an important subject because the church as we know it is under
fire from so many directions, and not all the shots are coming
from outside the church. This is resulting in the church being
more and more marginalized and moved away from a front and center
role in God’s kingdom. As the heart of the kingdom assigned to
make kingdom disciples, whether or not the world is impacted by
Christians depends largely on the performance of the church in
discipling God’s covenant people.
The lead article
takes its cues from the writings of two well-known men in our
Reformed and evangelical circles, J. I. Packer and John R.W.
Stott. They both share our concerns about the present state of the
church, and they use the same terminology regarding the present
situation in which the church finds itself. That terminology is
“stunted ecclesiology.” Working from the inside of the visible and
organized church, they describe some of what they believe to be
the problem, which we also generally believe to be the case. The
lead article on the church is based on a review of a new book by
Stott, The Living Church, which should be released before
the end of the year. It brings a strategic challenge to our
churches and leaders.
In the “In Case
You’re Asked” section, we have used a new book by Robert Wuthnow
of Princeton University to underscore a major part of our concern
regarding the church and how it is viewed today, especially by the
rising young adult generation. While some of the news could be
made to sound encouraging, the truth is that the church has to
step up to the plate and tell the world, as well as the churchlike
institutions, that the church is not dead nor is it expected to
expire. The challenge is for the church to be the church using its
gifts in ministry to advance the kingdom
by training and mobilizing its people to be more aggressive and
assertive; to say to those who believe the church went out along
with the modernistic enlightenment model that we can’t abandon the
church. It is the bride of Christ, His body; and we must love the
church as Christ loves the church, even to the point of death on
her behalf.
Dennis Bennett’s article “Let’s Not Lose the Basics” and Danny Mitchell’s part
one of a theological foundation for youth ministry help keep us
focused on who we are and what discipleship is all about. Dennis
is the coordinator of training and resources, and Danny is the
coordinator of youth and family ministries.
In
the book review section you will find several challenging books
that will help equip you for leadership challenges. For example,
Jim and Casper Go To Church gives an interesting evaluation
of some of the better known churches today. It often concludes
with these observations: where is Jesus in these ministries? Where
is the Gospel? Their evaluations grew out of asking why people do
or do not go to church. The Empty Pew book review will deal
with this issue from another perspective.
Knowing how to give a reason for our hope in Christ and His Gospel
requires intentional discipling. James Sire’s A Little Primer
on Humble Apologetics is an important little book. Remember
that dynamite comes in small packages. We trust that the other
book reviews will interest you as well.
As
you read through this issue, please keep in mind that our desire
is to love, strengthen, and make the church strategically
successful in equipping for kingdom living.
Any
comments made are intended to be as counsel to a bride or newly
wed about focus, goals, and roles. The books included in this
issue can be purchased from the CE&P bookstore either by phone at
1-800-283- 1357 or ordered on line at www.cepbookstore.com, and
our staff is available for training and consulting. Let us hear
from you. As we approach the end of 2007 and begin to think about
2008, will you pray with us that the Holy Spirit might lead and
guide the PCA in all of its efforts to spread the good news of the
kingdom and to disciple its people with a kingdom world and life
perspective?
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