Mother Kirk: Essays and Forays in Practical Ecclesiology

by Wilson, Douglas J.

• ISBN13: 9781885767721
• ISBN10: 1885767722
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Canon Pr

Summary

Modern evangelicals have gained money, power, and influence, and it has been like giving whiskey to a two-year-old. The need of the hour is theological, not political. The arena is the pulpit and the table, not the legislative chamber. Before we are equipped to proclaim His lordship to the inhabitants of all the earth, we must live as though we believed it in the Church. Mother Kirk presents a very practical and pastoral guide to many of the countless issues that arise in conservative Christian churches. The essays span subjects ranging from the nature of legalism and church authority to worship music, debt, youth ministry, and pastoral character.

Author Biography

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(4)
Peter J. Leithart
Preface	13	(2)
Introduction	15	(8)
A Manifesto on What Matters
What is the Church?	23	(12)
The True and Ancient Church
Reformational Identity	35	(16)
What are Reformed Evangelicals?
Receive the Word	51	(16)
A Church Bible
Tradition and the Word
The Final Word
Thunder the Word	67	(26)
Foundations of Authority
Just One Word
A Culture's Prow
Smooth Words
Preconditions for Reformation
Festina Lente
Priorities and Peace
A Farewell to Calvinism
A Deeper Right
Legalism: Hatred of God's Law
Observing the Sacraments	93	(18)
Sacramental Thinking
The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism and Culture
The Amount of Water
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Bread and Wine
Preparing for the Supper
Weekly Communion
The Lord's Day	111	(10)
Sabbath Rest
The Sabbath as Gospel Rest
But What About?
The Worship Service	121	(34)
The Regulative Principle
Cultural Impact of Worship
Just One Channel and No Remote
Worship Music and Propriety
Right Pretty
Solempne
Anthems of Conquest
Why Not All Psalms?
Principles for Music (Roy Atwood and Eddie Gray)
Public Prayer
A Defense of Liturgy
The Corporate Amen
The Government of the Church	155	(30)
Authority and Membership
Household Polity
Biblical Church Discipline
Denomination Blues
With a Small p
Church Officers
Doctrinal Qualifications
The Doctrinal Work of Elders
The Intercessory Work of Elders
The Pastoral Work of Elders
The Role of the Diaconate
The Minister's Character	185	(32)
The Qualified Man
Marriage Qualifications
The Pastor's Kids
Honorific Titles
Honest Subscription
Ministers in Skirts
Hollow Men
Books and Men
A Call to the Ministry
Ministerial Training
The Life of the Church	217	(32)
A Multitude of Counselors
Youth Ministry
The Parish
Building the Kirk
Facilities and Debt
The Tithe
Grateful Consumers
Pastoring Masculinity
Men's Forum
Women's Ministry
Involvement in Politics
Moving Beyond Pro-Life (with Doug Jones)
Marriage Licences
Outreach	249	(18)
Reformed Missions and Evangelism
The Beauty of Apologetics
Twice the Children of Hell
A Literature Ministry
Epilogue	267	(4)
Appendix: Questions for Elders and Their Wives	271	(8)
Scripture index	279