Last week at the Church Planter Training Conference, John Shaw spent an extended time with the church planters discussing evangelism. A particular segment of that time warrants a summary here for a brief refreshment, encouragement, and direction in this important task for our churches. John opened with a quote from a 19th century minister named […]
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An OPC Pastor’s Facebook Video
Before you watch this video and read this post: STOP for just a moment and think about one thing: Have you heard the objection from Christians who are against having creeds and/or confessions? “No Creed but Christ” is a common contemporary way to put it. How have you heard that objection answered? Maybe you yourself […]
Welcoming Church (Shane Lems): Part 2 – A Missionary Bent
In this series so far, Shane has set up a three-pronged approach to being a welcoming church. Last week, we considered the first two: Biblical & Balanced (Part 1: Biblical & Balanced). Now, the third: A Missionary Bent….Here is Shanes’s post: A Missionary Bent When I was a church planter, I necessarily had a “church […]
Being A Welcoming Church: Part 1 (Shane Lems)
Last week, we introduced and previewed a new series by OPC Pastor Shane Lems (Covenant Presbyterian in Hammond, WI). (More about Shane and last week’s post). Now, we will start to dig into the full articles. Below is the portion on being biblical and balanced as a welcoming church. Next week, the third prong: a […]
Shane Lems: Being A Welcoming Church – Introduction
We begin 2019 with a new series about being a welcoming church written by OPC Pastor Shane Lems. Shane is the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Hammond, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Lisa, have 4 kids. Prior to ministry, Shane was in the US Army Reserves for 6 years and worked in the auto […]
Reaching Out During The Holiday Season
We came across an article about “Reaching Out to Non-Believers This Holiday Season”—in particular it’s geared toward inviting friends and family to church with you. The article is by Ed Stetzer—a Calvinistic Baptist who was formerly the Executive Director of LifeWay Research and has planted 2 or 3 churches as a pastor previously. We’re sharing […]
On The Frontlines: Postmodernism: Lyrics That Preach to the Masses
In the last video, Eric Watkins, while discussing postmodernism, referred to musicians as “the pastors of the soul” for many, including himself before he was a Christian. This final installment takes a fascinating look at the message those musicians preach to countless lost people. From their “gospel” to their eschatology, Eric dissects how music, particularly […]
On The Frontlines: Watkins on Postmodernism & Music
Part Analysis. Part Testimony. Eric Watkins takes a look at postmodernism and music from an insider perspective that no other OPC pastor could give. Not just a critique, Eric’s analysis sheds light on how it’s important for us to understand why a certain style of music resonates with many, and how it relates to reaching […]
On the Frontlines: Eric Watkins on Postmodernism
Earlier in the year, we ran a series of videos with Eric Watkins discussing church planting, evangelism, and related matters. We have a short series remaining from that interview where Eric discusses various aspects of postmodernism–an area of focus in his postgraduate studies. In this first video, Eric lays out an overview of the impact […]
The Shape of Evangelistic Prayer – John Shaw
Recently, John Shaw published an article in Tabletalk magazine (Ligonier Ministries). The title in the magazine is “Prayer That Matters,” but as you will see if you read the article, the emphasis is on evangelistic prayer. The setting of the prayer discussed is an evangelistic setting and John was thinking about how it applies to […]
Podcast Episode #6 (John Shaw Part 3 of 3)
John Shaw is the OPC General Secretary of Home Missions. He is a former church planter in St. Paul, MN that now (along with the Committee) oversees OPC church planting. In this episode, John discusses some very practical matters for churches to grow in their ability to reach and welcome people. Everyone will profit from […]
10 Things: Part 10 – Sermon Series Video
In this series of posts, we will consider the practices of other churches that share some similarities with the OPC, though also some significant differences. With some of the examples (ten in number), we may see some ways in which their practice is inconsistent with our doctrinal commitments, but also hopefully learn from these brothers […]
10 Things: Part 9 – Sermon Series Intro Handout
In this series of posts, we will consider the practices of other churches that share some similarities with the OPC, though also some significant differences. With some of the examples (ten in number), we may see some ways in which their practice is inconsistent with our doctrinal commitments, but also hopefully learn from these brothers […]
Part 2: Initiating Conversations with Larry O
Last week, we looked at how Larry Oldaker approaches initiating conversations (Part 1) and saw a couple of helpful points to note (reading response/body language & prayer). Today we continue with examples Larry gave us of particular conversations—how they started—but then also how he developed them beyond initial chit-chat. So, how do you take those […]
Initiating Conversations With Larry O
We have numerous requests for help with how to start conversations with people. In particular, doing so with a view to building some trust and eventually turning those interactions to more meaningful things of life and then ultimately the gospel. We want to explore this topic in a number of ways, but one way is […]
Stories From the Field: Neon, KY
Readers of New Horizons may have seen the article on the church in Neon, KY a couple of months ago (p.13 of this pdf: New Horizons August 2018). This week’s Stories from the Field digs a little deeper into the outreach mentioned in that article which has been fundamental to the development of Neon Reformed […]
10 Things I’ve Seen: Part 8 (Gift for First Timers)
In this series of posts, we will consider the practices of other churches that share some similarities with the OPC, though also some significant differences. With some of the examples (ten in number), we may see some ways in which their practice is inconsistent with our doctrinal commitments, but also hopefully learn from these brothers […]
10 Things: Part 7 (Elders & Visitors Before Worship)
In this series of posts, we will consider the practices of other churches that share some similarities with the OPC, though also some significant differences. With some of the examples (ten in number), we may see some ways in which their practice is inconsistent with our doctrinal commitments, but also hopefully learn from these brothers […]
Stories From the Field: Normal Life
We have been sharing some more formal outreach efforts by OPC churches, but as we all know there are opportunities all around us in “normal life.” Sometimes God takes the most mundane aspects of life and turns them into moments of eternal significance. In today’s examples, eating dinner and taking a walk. We share these […]
Podcast Episode #5 (John Shaw Part 2)
John Shaw is the OPC General Secretary of Home Missions. He is a former church planter in St. Paul, MN that now (along with the Committee) oversees OPC church planting. In this episode, John discusses some very practical matters for churches to grow in their ability to reach and welcome people. Everyone will profit from […]