System of Doctrine? August 18, 2018 Many reformed and presbyterian bodies use the phrase "system of doctrine" in their ordination vows. The particular branch of Christ's Church of which I am a minister has as
Missons The Pursuit of Safety August 03, 2018 A guest post by Heather H. I love having grown up in a Psalm-singing denomination where my head and my heart were filled from my youth with the often-comforting Word of God. One
Church Court Bedfellows June 09, 2018 Church court discipline cases can have strange bedfellows: In the Clark-Van Til controversy (1944-1946) in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Rev. Robert Strong of Willow Grove, PA, OPC was "among Clark's
A Word to New Seminary Graduates May 10, 2018 I have noticed via my social media that several seminaries that I love and respect have had commencement recently. Others are still preparing for their commencement ceremonies. Congratulations. The pursuit of theological education
Of Colored Eggs and Consciences March 29, 2018 Today my Christian neighbor brought my kids several colored eggs and some candy. Being keenly aware of Presbyterian history and the debates over holy days, she called me first and let me know
Christian living The Stings of Death: An Article Not Just for Old People March 01, 2018 The Lord Jesus has taken away the sting of death through his resurrection. Believers know that for all who are in union with Jesus, their bodies will be united to Christ after death
Gospel Thoughts on a Dark Anniversary January 20, 2018 Below is a bulletin insert that I wrote for Lord's Day, January 21, 2018, in remembrance of the 45th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized human abortion in
Defiant Prayer and the Image of God January 17, 2018 Several people from my congregation spent the part of the day cooking and preparing a meal for fifty people experiencing homelessness here in Los Angeles. This is the second year that we have
Very Able Servants in the Church? January 05, 2018 There are hundreds of names in the Books of Chronicles, hundreds of those who served the Lord and were a part of the godly heritage making up what we call the church. In
Jesus, Teach Us to Pray (Specific Presbyterian Prayers) December 20, 2017 Last week, I had the distinct honor of participating in the organizing of another congregation here in the greater Los Angeles area. Rev. Hsing Tang was ordained to pastor a Mandarin speaking congregation
And so-and-so Begat so-and-so November 14, 2017 We all know the difficulties of "so-and-so begat so-and-so." Many evangelical believers read through a Bible in a year reading program. Several of the daily readings will include lists of genealogies
Further Encouragement for Personal Evangelism: The Why Not? October 23, 2017 Last week I encouraged you all in your practice of personal evangelism through the words of seventeenth century pastor-theologian, Wilhelmus a'Brakel. That article can be found here [https://gentlereformation.com/2017/
Encouragement for Personal Evangelism October 19, 2017 Let's face it, we all struggle with personal evangelism. It is hard for many reformed people--why do so many struggle to share their faith? We all have our litany of excuses:
The Road to Hollywood October 13, 2017 The "open secret of Hollywood" is the talk of the town where I live. In the aftermath of a Hollywood empire beginning to crumble under weight of sexual scandal, it seems
Melting the Hardening Heart October 06, 2017 The life of the Christian is a life that ebbs and flows in our love for God. We may not always want to admit that--but in our heart of hearts, we know it
Sinners at the Sacrament? September 30, 2017 [https://gentlereformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/17426127_1596120457082735_2279329352668541679_n.jpg] Let a man examine himself.These words of the Apostle Paul weigh heavily upon the hearts and minds of so many
The Blossoming of a Desert Rose September 01, 2017 [https://gentlereformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/BellagioFountains2.jpg]On Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas, Nevada, forty-seven people gathered for worship in the back room of a rented church building. From the
Longing for Home August 04, 2017 [https://gentlereformation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1485973947969.jpg]I have been away from home a lot this summer. It's not been vacationing on a beach with a little-umbrella'd
Biographies Towards Community June 02, 2017 We live in a time when many in the church struggle to connect with other members of the body. Many consider connectedness something that happens online rather than through living in community. If
Violent Peace April 01, 2017 The following article was written by Rebekah McIlhenny. Rebekah is a member of the Los Angeles Reformed Presbyterian Church; a graduate of Covenant College; wife of Ryan [http://www.providencecc.edu/wp-content/uploads/
Sweetness of Prayer in the Bitterness of Life March 15, 2017 The Christian life is filled with many sorrows--many trials and disappointments. In the midst of those problems, persecutions, disappointments, and discouragements--do not lose hope. Persevere in prayer. Seek sweetness in prayer. When prayers
Men's Breakfast and the Affair of the Sausages March 04, 2017 This morning the men of my congregation will join for breakfast as we often do. There will be bacon and sausage consumed. The choice of bacon and sausage is not a protest, but
To the Nines! Nine Reflections on Pastoral Ministry March 03, 2017 This past month I entered my ninth year as an ordained minister of the gospel. The time has gone by quickly and I am thankful for all that the Lord has done through
Pastor, Are You Okay? February 03, 2017 As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings… labors, sleepless nights, hunger…with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for
What's Your Moniker? January 14, 2017 How we describe ourselves helps others to understand what we value--what and who we are. This is true in multiple spheres of life. In American culture, our "last name" is our
