In celebration of the 492^nd Anniversary of the Reformation, Anniston Bible Church presents The Reformation History Lecture Series to the public. Pastor Bob St. John will lecture on the following topics:

October 18th, Sunday Evening, 6:30 p.m.
What is Reformation Doctrine?

Numbers 30 provides a concrete illustration of the principle of family leadership that transcends the Mosaic Covenant. We are not under the covenant laws of the Pentateuch, yet many of the same laws are binding under the New Covenant precepts, (New Covenant = New Testament), Romans 6:14 "...for you are not under law but under grace." The exhortations to husbands in Ephesians 5 to sacrificial and edifying love and leadership can be applied for the same effect as Numbers 30.

Our nation celebrates and mourns the days that shape our national character. We remember sorrowful days like December 7^th, 1941 or September 11, 2001, and joyful days like July 4^th, 1776. The danger of forgetting is serious. The more we are separated from our past, either by “new history” or a careless obsession with the present, the more we lose our identity as a nation.

Leadership is a call to be students of Scripture and mighty in the Word.  Without this qualification, we are unprepared for shepherding and ministering to the people of God.  It is insufficient to merely love the flock, and possess a servant's heart.  These are essentials but our love and service must be informed by a real understanding of the revealed will of God.

Paul tells us it is a commendable thing if a man desires the work of an overseer, (1 Timothy 3:1). But who is qualified to shepherd the flock of God?

You do not need to be ordained or have a seminary degree to start a church or become an elder in a local congregation; however you should possess all the qualifications of an elder and be recognized as such by the local fellowship. These qualifications include character qualities and being thoroughly equipped in the doctrines of Scripture to enable you to engage in teaching and polemics, Titus 1:9ff, 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

The Christian family must be a consistent object of ministry in the local church. For our purposes, we designate the season between Mother's Day and Father's Day to take up the particular ministry issues of marriage and family. Pastors must not forget the great struggles that continually face the homes within their congregations. But equipping husbands and wives, mothers and fathers to build their homes on the principles of God's Word accomplishes much more than easing tensions in the individual homes. This ministry strengthens the whole church.

I have been meditating on Revelation 2:10, "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."  Below I have listed eighteen hope-filled observations and applications.

This article collates biographical records outlining the life and Influence of Isaac Watts. I have tried to credit sources within the body of the paper but having read about this great Christian for several years, it is possible, I may have overlooked some for which I apologize ahead of time. I trust His story will be a challenge and example to all who read.

"Give ‘em Watts, boys! Give ‘em Watts!"

Recently I sat down with my palm pilot in hand and punched all of my scheduled holiday family gatherings into the calendar. After doing so, I realized that I am scheduled to attend 7 different family gatherings (from Dec. 6^th - 29^th). Some of those gatherings will be intimate, involving my immediate family, while others will be large, involving my extended family. All in all, I will interact with approximately 73 family members (55 adults, 18 children). That exercise got me thinking about my family members, my relationships with them, and my Christian responsibility to minister the Gospel to them.

After considering my family members and their specific life-situations, I came to this conclusion: