Daniel

“Our children need to see how we handle sinful failures. They need to see us handle it with gospel humility and with gospel hope.”
― Doug Van Meter, Parenting is Not a Coin Toss

“What’s tragic is that Christians who come and go from churches are merely mimicking so many pastors. A man comes for several years, hears of another opportunity, leaves, and thinks nothing of it. His understanding of love is devoid of any sense of long-term obligation to a flock.”
― Jonathan Leeman, The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline

“On the evangelical right are careful thinkers who are absolutely scrupulous in other areas of doctrine but tend to flow with the pragmatic stream in how they lead and structure their churches.”
― Jonathan Leeman, The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline

“It’s not difficult to see how this conception of romantic love, born out of an individual’s desire for expression and fulfillment, affects our conceptions of “love” in every sphere of life today. Whether the conversation turns to church services, friendships, or dating, I know that you love me when you let me “be myself” or “express myself” or “be the best person I can be.” I love you by allowing you to do the same. So Americans tend to describe churches as “loving” when those churches make us feel relaxed and comfortable, not judged. We can be ourselves there. Nonjudgmentalism is important in our friendships too: “I know she’s my friend, because she doesn’t judge me. I can be real with her.”
― Jonathan Leeman, The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love: Reintroducing the Doctrines of Church Membership and Discipline