Churches Need to Stop Practicing Willful Blindness toward the Wicked

On By Jeff CrippenIn Churches/Church Response6 Comments

There are those, even among Christ’s followers, that are worse than any one can imagine them to be, and lack nothing but opportunity to show it.” (Matthew Henry)

Matthew Henry, that great preacher and Bible Commentator of old, made this statement as he was commenting on Judas’ betrayal of Christ as set out in Matthew 26. I suppose that one reason the Lord included the details of Judas’ betrayal in Scripture was to educate us not to be naive. Judas! And the rest of the disciples, that inner circle of the 12, were shocked when Jesus told them one of them would betray Him.

Continue reading “Churches Need to Stop Practicing Willful Blindness toward the Wicked” →

Most Local Churches are Actually Theater Stages for Performers

On By Jeff CrippenIn Churches/Church Response10 Comments

Isaiah 1:13-15 ESV  Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.  (14)  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.  (15)  When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

I want us to think carefully about what most churches look like. What I mean specifically is, how does the sanctuary (where the worship services are held) look? How is it arranged? What is the physical layout? Do you have the picture in  your mind?

Now, think about a theater. You know – a stage where performers perform. An audience out the in pews….uh….seats. Do you see a troubling parallel?

Continue reading “Most Local Churches are Actually Theater Stages for Performers” →

Update on Our Friend and Brother Mack

On By Jeff CrippenIn Blog News9 Comments

Philippians 2:25 ESV  I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

The Apostle Paul often commended the few and faithful men and women who stood for Christ no matter how much the cost. It is appropriate that we do the same.

As  most of you know from previous posts, our fellow elder here at Christ Reformation Church, Mack McConkey, as been going through an ordeal for nearly 3 months. He was struck with pancreatitis and that led to all kinds of other serious and life-threatening complications. He has recovered from a number of those but is still hospitalized. Today he is being moved to an acute care rehab center in Portland.

While in the hospital, Mack’s wife Rite (pronounced “reet”) has been able to be with him but most care centers are still not permitting visitors so that is going to be another strain.

Please continue to pray then for Mack and Rite, that they would be strengthened by the Lord and granted His courage and that Mack would heal and be able to return home. Specifically please pray that his blood sugar would stabilize, that his heart would remain in rhythm, and that he would receive excellent care in the rehab center.

We miss Mack greatly in our church body. He and Rite have always been there every Sunday morning for all these 27 years I have been here and most importantly Mack has stood solid and firm against all the wicked people who crept in among us over the years and did all they could to destroy this ministry. And even more specifically, ten years ago when the ministry to expose abusers in churches and help their victims began, there were a number of evil people who hated that light being shined upon this sin. They did all they could to stop it but were unable. Mack was never once duped by their lies and tactics and they eventually gave up and left.

So please pray for Mack. He is your friend in Christ and much of the benefit  many of you have received through this ministry, Mack had a real part in bringing about.