Mortification of Spin

After receiving some intel all the way from Belfast, two thirds of the Spin team are on a mission to solve a mystery involving the third member of the team.

When the kerfuffle is over, things get serious as they address the topic of the day–an article written by William Boekestein, "Ten Benefits of Church Small Groups".

Although some small groups can be unhelpful and even destructive, the Crew focuses on a number of the major benefits of being part of a group with good leadership and oversight. There’s always room for growth in a small church group!

Would you like to learn how you can grow in a small group setting? Follow the link and sign up for an opportunity to win a free copy of Iron Sharpens Iron: Leading Bible-Oriented Small Groups that Thrive. They are a generous gift from Christian Focus Publications.

Reformed and catholic - how so?

No better place to meet Scott Swain for this conversation than Disney’s castle in Orlando. He usually finds inspiration there for his theological writing - I bet you didn’t know that!

Scott makes the remarkable claim that in order to be truly protestant, we have to be good catholics in some sense. But don’t get worked up!

He talks doctrinal development and Sola Scriptura, Augustine’s understanding of faith and reason, Thomas Aquinas’ view of the role and the relationship between theology and philosophy, and when the Protestant theological method of interpretation became distinct from the Catholic method.

Can or should Protestants still be drawing from Aquinas? How has this Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher influenced even our Reformed confession of faith? You might be surprised to learn the practical implications of it all in the private and communal life of Christians and in discipleship. So join us!

Also, Baker Academic has gifted some copies of Reformed Catholicity and we’re giving them away. Sign up to win one!

Aimee can barely contain her excitement because Dr. Robert Godfrey is here to talk about the “other Aimee”! Aimee Semple McPherson or “Sister”, as she’s known, has interested Bob for some years. We gather around him to hear about this woman preacher, faith healer, and founder of the Foursquare church, from the early 1900s.

What is so fascinating about Sister’s life, and what kind of mark did she leave in American Christianity? What practices have Pentecostals and even our churchs learned and adapted from her?

There’s much to be said about the nuanced stories around her personal life. And Dr. Godfrey is more forgiving than Todd when talking about her mysterious disappearance in 1926.

Gather around for this interesting conversation.

By Dr. Godfrey’s recommendation, we’re giving away Sister Aimee: The life of Aimee Semple McPherson. Follow the link and sign up to win a copy!

The crew is in sunny Florida sipping margaritas this week. They’re pleased to be talking with Ismael Hernandez, the president and founder of Freedom and Virtue Institute. He’s written Not Tragically Colored: Freedom, Personhood, and the Renewal of Black America.

Mr. Hernandez tells us what it was like being raised in a militant communist household and what changed after he moved to America. Based on his years of study, observation, and personal experience, Ismael discusses racialism - yes, it is a word, dignity, moral responsibility, and the importance of the family in forming a virtuous individual.

The ugliness of false ideologies have permeated not only society, but also the church! But if you listen closely you’ll hear the beauty of the untold history of blacks in America.

Follow the link and sign up for a chance to win a copy of Ismael Hernandez’ book Not Tragically Colored.

In light of the Larry Nassar child sexual abuse case, the crew talks about Rachael Denhollander and the treatment she’s received from her church leadership. What’s the appropriate response to cases of sexual abuse in the local church? How do you support and love those who have suffered so deeply in this way?

Carl and Todd reflect on their primary responsibility as pastors who have taken vows to protect and care for God’s people, while Aimee talks about ways to minister to the wounded. Together, they look at the circumstances surrounding Rachael’s case and do their own soul-searching by asking the question: Is it I, Lord?

Join the conversation, and let’s examine what the pastor’s first calling is when a member brings an accusation of abuse to the church.

This week we’re giving away On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church. The book is a generous gift from our friends at New Growth Press. Please sign up to win a copy!