Resources by Topic: Church

What does it mean to be a Protestant? These are five of the major teachings of the reformers by which they distinguished their beliefs from those of the Roman Catholic church of their day.

While we do not regard ourselves a charismatic church, we do not wish to be known as “anti-charismatic.” What we do insist upon is a spirit of love and unity, the total sufficiency of Christ, and the final authority of the Scriptures.

Scripture gives us an often-neglected guideline regarding prophetic utterance that is clear and can and should be implemented in churches.

Question from a reader: I’ve heard negative things about Rick Warren and Saddleback Church, as well as Willow Creek Church and other seeker churches. What’s your opinion on this issue? Answer from Randy Alcorn: Attacking fellow Bible-believing Christians is becoming commonplace. Spreading inaccurate information is epidemic.

I would like to see more vibrant, Christ-exalting living, first in me, and then in my church and the Christian community as a whole. So I sympathize with what you’re looking for.

We have a natural desire to be independent, but we need godly church leaders, and should seek to find a local church that has godly leaders rather than to withdraw from churches.

You are certainly not alone in wishing that various groups–you specifically highlighted liberals, orthodox, and fundamentalists–just put differences aside and get along. I will briefly look at these three groups and suggest why this may not be Biblically possible at this time in Kingdom history.

I’ll begin with some important prefacing remarks. I am absolutely committed to the centrality of local churches in God’s kingdom agenda. 

I am a newer believer and sometimes get frustrated over all of the different doctrines in various churches. Can you help me sort these out?  

LEARNING: The process by which every person acquires a certain body of knowledge, and a corresponding set of personal values, attitudes, behavior, and skills.

Today marks the public release of the Manhattan Declaration, which Chuck Colson invited me to sign several weeks ago. After reading it, I gladly agreed to do so.  

I recently read an interesting book by Philip D. Kenneson: Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community. Here is an excerpt.  

Biblical illiteracy among Christians is arguably at an all time high, with chilling implications that can hardly be overstated. I know that various things in the church will inevitably change, such as songs and hymns taking on new forms, and that's fine. What isn't fine is for God's people to neglect His Word.  

The following are my answers to some questions on leadership I gave to Crawford Loritts for his new book called Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence.