Bully Pulpit: Abusive Pulpits

Child abuse … it's not just a Catholic church issue but pervades into the pulpits and pastorate of the Protestant church, too. What measures does your church take in checking the backgrounds and even reputations of its leaders? What cover-ups are there? Is there room for questioning a leader…even leaders with "immaculate" records or "big-names"? The Church must take seriously the damage done when turning a blind eye, misusing grace and mercy at the expense of victims who may remain silent and leaders going unchecked in their power. 1 Timothy and Titus give us ample reason to put our leaders under a magnifying glass so to protect the flock from a potential, even preying shepherd. This is a relevant conversation, one every church should take time to consider and apply.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away Low Deeds in High Places by James Boice as a free audio download. The Discount is applied at checkout.

Keeping Company with Calvin

With us today is Dr. Scott Manetsch from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His charge for us is to consider the importance of reading and “knowing” John Calvin. Dr. Manetsch wears many hats: a professor of Church History and the History of Christian thought, author of Calvin’s Company of Pastors, and old friend to Carl Trueman. (It goes without saying, his most trying role is that of his friendship to Carl. Surely heaven’s reward is to be great for such a long-suffering saint!). Tune in to hear Dr. Manetsch attest to Calvin’s exemplary, intense pastoral care as he shares inspiring stories from Calvin’s ministry.Enter to win a free set of MP3 messages by Carl Trueman entitled The Protestant Reformation and John Calvin.The winners are:Chip B., Baltimore, MDMelissa W., Canandaigua, NYBetty S., Peoria, AZMichael H., Montogomery, ALMichael G., Wilmington, DE

Bully Pulpit: You Snooze You Lose

Two shady sheep wandered into Todd's megachurch today. Skirting by security, Carl and Aimee are incognito to rate Todd's preaching and their notes are ... lacking in content. Aimee's doing her usual multitasking - doodling nun chucks and jotting her grocery list while Carl's a man of one talent today: sleep.  Probably not the shining examples you'd expect but raises an important question: How are we on listening to the preached word? Take it from these two, it's not always easy, especially with Pruitt in the pulpit. Is sitting under God's preached word something we take seriously, strategically, thoughtfully? Are we diligent or complacent, prepared or passive? And is there a difference between listening and hearing? Carl, Aimee & Todd take these questions to task while offering some basic tips and aids for congregants and their covenant children. Listen up, this is something we all need to hear.This week on Mortification of Spin, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away How to Listen to a Bad Sermon by Ligon Duncan as a free audio download. You can also find this free gift on Reformed Resources.

We Are Family!

The Sledge Sisters sing about it, we are born into one, and it’s God’s idea: Family. So how does family relate to the Church and its grander mission (even the Great Commission!)? What constitutes a family, how does it reflect the image of God and … what about singles? We are joined by John McClean, Vice President of Christ College in Australia, teaches Systematic Theology and Ethics, and was a minister four years at Cowra Presbyterian Church. Dr. McClean discusses family in its biblical nature and purpose. He’s Australian so there’s an unspoken competition between the two foreigners, Carl vying he has the more appealing accent, but let’s be honest … anyone or anything sounds better than an Englishman from Gloucestershire.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Covenant of Family, by Joel Nederhood. Discount is applied at checkout.

Bully Pulpit: Giving Witness or Imposing Beliefs?

Round II of Desperate Theology, and the award goes to … The Sacramental Entrepreneur! In other news, the Spin Trifecta has been compromised - Todd has people to see and places to go so couldn't bother with recording, but the show must go on! Carl and Aimee discuss the wisdom and consideration we should exhibit towards our non-believing friends. Do you say grace in front of them at restaurants … in your home … in their home?! Do you give honorable witness or condescending impositions? Something to think and pray about …The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled Offensive Blood, by Robert Godfrey. Discount is applied at checkout.

Justification - It Matters!

Tom Schreiner graces Studio B to discuss the many benefits, blessings, and payoffs in understanding our justification. Dr. Schreiner is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Professor of Biblical Theology, and Associate Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Enjoy listening in as Dr. Schreiner spills all...Win a free book! We have several copies of Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification, Run to Win the Prize, and Magnifying God in Christ to give away. The drawing is closed and the winners are:Faith Alone: The Doctrine of Justification:Thomas P., Milwaukee, WIDane H., Dallas, TXBrendan M., Jacksonville, FLRun to Win the Prize:Hannah H., Grove City, PAFrank A., Conyers, GAJohn B., Jackson, MSMagnifying God in Christ:Jacqueline M., Chicago, ILMike A., Santa Rosa, CATimothy R., Quakertown, PA

The Spirituality of the Church

This week we start a new segment: Desperate Theology. Tune in each Bully Pulpit for a hilarious insight into the latest theologies out there and how they, at best, can be quite desperate. In other news, the primary goal of today's casual conversation is addressing the significance of the Church's presence in the civic sphere - do we retreat from societal wickedness or attack it? What are the guard rails? What about the individual Christian conscience? What is our real purpose as a Church? In light of the immoral trajectory of our world and its leaders, it's something we ought to consider. The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled The Two Kingdoms, by Michael Horton. Discount is applied at checkout.

Westminster Preaching Conference: Part II

Welcome back to Westminster Theological Seminary, nestled in the quaint city of Glenside, Pennsylvania where the Preaching Conference is still underway. For this portion, students have submitted thought-provoking questions to our LIVE panel which includes Joel Beeke and Kent Hughes - two men with enough wit and wisdom to put our hosts out of a job!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled Calvinistic Experimental Preaching by Joel Beeke and The Glory of Christ in the Scriptures by Kent Hughes. Discount is applied at checkout. 

Men are From Mars

"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet," (1 Tim. 2:11-12). Aimee would say: What does that even mean?! To which Todd would say: Well, here’s the deal… It's a conversation that raises a brow or two (and often the room temperature!). A women is a helper, a "Necessary Ally", but what is her role in the church especially if she’s gifted in teaching? As the token female, Aimee brings both beauty and brains to an otherwise bald and the bitter situation.The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a free MP3 download entitled Phoebe, a Deaconess by James Boice. Discount is applied at checkout.

Westminster Preaching Conference: Part I

Dr. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Seminary, joins the Mortification of Spin (again!) on a LIVE panel at the annual Preaching Conference at Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Kent Hughes stands in as a “guest host” giving his own Spin on ministry. It's a full auditorium and things are about to get personal. They share everything from how they received the Lord’s call to what they'd do if a congregant claims "I'm not being fed".Win a copy of Mortification of Spin Season Three! We have several copies to giveaway. You may purchase a copy at Reformed Resources. The winners are:Patricia M., Chattanooga, TNBenjamin S., Hillsboro, KSJustin E., Chula Vista, CAJan K., Wooster, OH