Terry Pruitt's Blog

Dear Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,                We praise you and thank you that you did not just die for some of our sins but you took away completely our sin if we trust in you.  Lord as a body of evangelicals we are guilty of often confessing our personal faults and our sins as an individual and though our individual sins create disharmony, suffering, disorder, and cut off our relationship with you, we recognize particularly our corporate sins as a church, as a nation, and as a people today. We also realize that through our corporate sins we have created unjust systems, unjust advantages, and suffering not just those in our immediate social circle but upon many in far reaching corners that we cannot seeing.  Forgive us where we have not taught against and opposed racism.  Forgive us where we have not sought peaceful protection of the unborn.  Forgive us where ...

I'm told that the church in the USA is becoming more ethnic and less white.  I go to a church that is predominately white but welcomes other ethnic groups.  We have some African, Hispanic and Filipino backgrounds among our usual gatherings for Sunday morning worship.  At work I find that most people who are dedicated Christians are people who are not white.  I find more in common with my African-american co-worker because of our unity in Christ than I do in my co-workers who identify as white but do not identify as Christian.  I welcome the church being diverse and welcoming not because we are trying to mimic the USA culture on the issue but God is glorified as we have every nation, tribe and tongue worship him.  Sometimes that is in congregations that are culturally and ethnically diverse.  The article on the Association of Religion Data Archive called "Are Black Americans the Most Religious - and Virtuous - of all?" shows how African-american Christ...

Richard Baxter's book is considered a classic by many, but I found it a bit long winded for the content and on the side of moralistic teaching.  The book does not fit our modern disposition for techniques and effectiveness.  It is my understanding that Richard Baxter was quite the effective pastor however, he begins with and dwells for quite some time on the topic of self-examination of the pastor.  This self-examination does not let up but he makes sure that one has sensed one's sin as a pastor.  While it may appear heavy handed by modern measurements, it would be a mistake to dismiss the book.  His point of view from where he sits in church history is instructive to those of us in 2015 and beyond.  Basically, his advice is simple: 1.  Walk with the Lord God yourself 2.  Be diligent in seeking the Lord God 3.  Work hard as a pastor to study 4.  Work hard as a pastor to teach everyone in your care with personal instruction 5. ...