One of the greatest things about the New Testament Church is God’s design for her. Tomorrow night I am teaching a lesson to our teenage class on the organization of the Church (PowerPoint will be on this blog Wednesday, as usual). We will discuss, in a brief way, the role of elders and deacons. However, the point of the lesson is that the New Testament Church isn’t run by any one man, or any “board.” No, indeed! It is God’s Church; the Church of Christ! While that may rub some people the wrong way, it really should make each of us feel great. Why? Because God treats all people the…

Whoever thinks preachers (and especially youth ministers) don’t work should have been around here this week! After preaching away Sunday morning and going to our Area-Wide Youth Series Sunday night, I had our Sonshine Singers (K-6 singing group) Monday afternoon, Area-Wide Bible Bowl Monday night, a banquet in Double Springs Tuesday, Bible classes Wednesday and I taught a class for Faulkner Thursday. On top of that, I did 3 radio programs and helped with a funeral… …and I’m preaching Sunday! …and the battery on a car went out. WHEW! Even though it’s quite stressful, I actually enjoy weeks like this. When I have this much to do, it sure helps…

Pray Without Ceasing From: iluvleah9, 13 minutes ago | View | Upload your own The 7th lesson in the PEARLS book was written by Ancil Jenkins. It is a lesson on the basics of prayer. I plan on ending our class with some prayer requests. SlideShare Link

[NOTE: Our Youth Rally at 9th Avenue is a mere 79 days away! I hope you are planning on being with us as we study the book of James. With that theme in mind, I am trying to write several articles about James, young people and other related topics leading up to our rally. Here is the first in that series.] In writing the letter that now bears his name, James begins with these words: “James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:1, New American Standard Bible). In the First Century, it was common to open a letter with your name and a short description, whereas…

It is a joy to teach the Bible. While I am nowhere near the teacher I would like to be, it is a thrill to try my best. One way I teach is through Faulkner University’s Military Education Program. This program is for students who are in the military and who want to earn a college degree. Faulkner has a series of classes throughout the state of Alabama where classes are taught at local armories. Beginning this week, I will be teaching my third class for the program. I taught Christian Ethics and The Life of Christ. Now I get to teach The Book of Acts. What a privilege! To…

Articles have been written trying to convince Christians to adapt and add musical instruments to worship. Many articles and books have been written trying to “hold the line,” seeking to keep Christians from making such a change. It has been nice to read a book from the “third perspective.” John Price, a baptist pastor, has written a volume outlining his research as to why the congregation where he works has removed instruments of music. They had just one instrument, but, after careful study, he determined that one was just not needed and, in fact, violated the New Testament. Old Light on New Worship reads somewhat like a master’s thesis, containing…

I know, I know. It’s not Friday, yet. I have a good reason for doing the links round-up a day early, though. I won’t be anywhere near a computer tomorrow (or Saturday or Sunday, for that matter), and I’m thankful! I am taking my beautiful bride to see Phantom of the Opera in Birmingham tomorrow night, and then we are staying with her family, because I am preaching at the congregation where they worship on Sunday morning. We have been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time. So, with a full weekend–not to mention an extra day–I thought I’d give you a couple of extra articles to read.…

I was in a mall a few days ago. I walked by a little area and had to turn around. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was early October and the mall was already setting up for the picture area with Santa! While I don’t get into Christmas until after the Thanksgiving holiday, this did cause me to think. Not about Christmas, but about our 2008 Youth Rally! Over the next few weeks, we will take this column to talk about things that are relevant to our youth rally. This week, we will simply have an overview of what to expect. First, while it is called a “youth”…

Desertion In The Lords Army From: iluvleah9, 56 minutes ago Clark Sims wrote this chapter for teenagers. It deals with why people leave the Lord, and encourages faithful young people to remain faithful and help those who are struggling. SlideShare Link

While it may seem as though it is a long way off, 2008 is, in so many ways, just around the corner. Young people are back in school and involved in sports and other activities. I was in Sears the other day and they were putting up….you guessed it…their Christmas displays. The mall was setting up Santa’s picture area! (Can we not at least get past Halloween first????). Anyway, with the new year coming soon, we have now made available our 2008 youth rally information. On January 4-5, 2008, the 9th Avenue church of Christ will host a rally called “The Christian Handbook: Studies in the Book of James.” While…