FYI...periodic notes from Dr. Scott
Dr. Scott A. Lemenager
Special Assistant to the President & CEO
Evangelical Church Alliance
The Trinity-Why does the ECA ask for specific beliefs in a Statement of Doctrine? Many well-meaning people think nothing of the Church having clear statements on the Trinity. The ECA has historically followed the first four great ecumenical councils of the Church. These helped the early church and help us today.
First Council of Nicaea in 325
First Council of Constantinople in 381
First Council of Ephesus in 431
The Council of Chalcedon in 451
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I want to be a Giant Killer
At our recent Gathering in Goodyear Arizona, I had the privilege of giving the charge to our candidates and the audience in attendance. 1 Samuel 17 is the narrative of David and Goliath. The writer reminds us that our battle can be. won, "not by sword or spear, but by the will of God, for the battle is the Lord's." Nevertheless, we know David picked up five (5) stones. In his lifetime David faced a total of five Giants. Here are five principals we learn from David's encounter with the Giant. They are like his five stones.
1. Tests come more than once
2. Understand you are not alone
3. Let others help you
4. Intentional accountability leads to success
5. Praise God always
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dual Credentials
The ECA respects members and prospective members who may need to carry dual credentials. Membership and credentials are concomitant with the ECA. An ECA member with dual credentials is asked to honor first the ECA Tenets of Faith, Ministerial Ethics, and ECA Constitution and By-laws.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Reason for Church
Some time ago I was reading an article in the Federalist when I came across a thoughtfull piece that I pass on to you.
If you read it take it with a proverbial grain of salt. https://thefederalist.com/2017/03/03/5-reasons-millennials-never-go-church/
_______________________________________________________________________________________
What are you reading this summer? Here are my current selections that I'm working through;
Culture Shift, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Multnomah Press. (c) 2008
Desire and Deceit, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Multnomah Press. (c) 2008
The Collapse of Parenting, Leonard Sax, Basic Books. (c) 2016
Why Gender Matters, Leonard Sax, Harmony Books. (c) 2005/2017
The Justice of God in the Teaching of Jesus, J. Arthur Baird, Westminster Press. (c) 1958
Audience Criticism and the Historical Jesus, J. Arthur Baird, Westminster Press. (c) 1959
Church Marketing 101, Richard Reising, Baker Books. (c) 2006
Here are a few important points to remember from our recent Annual International Conference in Charlotte.
Mike McCormick reminded us in "Who Planted the Trees?" 1. Tragedy to Triumph--seeds for the future are planted in the leader that often experiences tragedy. Remember HALT--Short-term pleasure can amount to a life of pain. Protect against being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.
Dave Richardson encouraged us to develop the tools to discern the truth. Truth corresponds to what is real. Truth and reality must cohere. All people work with assumptions and there are 3 types that reflect our view of truth. #1 Only the Physical exists, #2 Only what is non-physical is real and important, #3 Two things are real; the Creator (non-physical) and his creation (physical). Everyone is a person of faith and every institution promotes one of these types. Know who is speaking into your worldview.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Statement of Doctrine
One of the reasons the ECA asks each applicant for a brief SOD is to be sure that you can adequately answer the most basic questions of our faith. If you know someone is applying to the ECA, remind them that we are not going to teach our applicants what to say. Nor do we accept plagiarized material. Always keep studying.
______________________________________________________________________________________
I have been thinking alot about the recent apostasy of some leaders in the Christian Church. One of my daughters sent me this blog article and I think it speaks loudly to the issues we face. https://cogentchristianity.com/2019/08/13/skillets-john-cooper-on-apostasy-among-young-christian-leaders/