Nations on the verge of war use it. A group of children on the playground may even physically draw it. Regardless of who evokes it, the metaphor of a line in the sand is strong. Thom and Sam discuss the four occasions when a pastor should draw a line in the sand.

Highlights:

When there is a threat to core and foundational biblical issues.

* When the pastor's family is being attacked.

* When there is a toxic person wreaking havoc.

* When the church refuses to reach beyond its walls.

Other highlights:

A definition of heresy and what it’s not. Don’t overuse or expand the definition of heresy but defend the Gospel at all costs.

Always ask the question of intent and patterns when facing criticism of family.

A line in the sand may look like moving on to another calling.

A critic is rarely a toxic person.

What to do with an intentionally inward focused church.

* Sam Rainer Online

* End of Year Sale

Episode Sponsors

The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.

Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.

Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen's staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.

To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen's Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.

Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.