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Pastoral Articles

Charged with the responsibility of overseeing the church, the elders are constantly evaluating their faithfuless to God’s calling. Writing is one means of fulfilling the mandate to shepherd God’s flock. To this end, the elders occasionally publish articles to inform, encourage, and edify God’s people at BBC.

The Goal of Pastoral Articles

The articles published here are intended primarily for the members of BBC and are written by the elders with shepherds’ hearts to help the flock of God.

The New India

The New India

More than twenty years ago, Brackenhurst Baptist Church began to leave a Great Commission imprint on the nation of India. By sending a young Gareth and Keri Franks to India, we unknowingly commenced what, over the years, would become a major missional, prayerful,...

No Place Like Home

No Place Like Home

Recently, on Doug’s return from sabbatical, he mentioned Dorothy and her ruby slippers, quoting “There is no place like home.” I had a similar experience. After being overseas for a period, when the wheels of the A380 hit the tarmac of OR Tambo International Airport,...

Reforming Singleness and Marriage

Reforming Singleness and Marriage

Well, here we go again: another area of biblical reformation at BBC. But, of course, this is how it is supposed to be. The sixteenth-century Reformers were both infamously and famously dubbed “Protestants” because of their propensity to protest against an unbiblical...

Resting and Trusting

Resting and Trusting

A dear friend is currently having his first, well-deserved and much-needed, sabbatical after 30-plus years of faithful ministry. Sensing his hesitancy, I encouraged him to take the sabbatical and to trust the Lord with what would take place back home. I recently spoke...

Change

Change

A passage in Luke (repeated in Matthew and Mark) reveals a principle that can help a local church as it experiences a pastoral transition. And they said to [Jesus], “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but...

The End

The End

As my sabbatical nears its end, I am pleased to say that my assignment is finished as I have completed a 19,000-word, 41-page document addressing the matter of pastoral transition. I believe it has been a fruitful exercise, one that will help our church, and perhaps...