Don’t Waste Your Fourth: An Introduction to Sabbath

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Don’t Waste Your Fourth: An Introduction to Sabbath

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Many of us are familiar with these words. They’re actually a part of the Ten Commandments and can be found both in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. But what do they mean? Is God simply telling his people to relax every once in a while and not do anything? On holidays like the Fourth of July that we’re celebrating today, does grilling out and getting a tan count as biblically practicing the discipline of Sabbath rest? Over the next few weeks, we will examine these questions and more as we discuss the importance and holistic necessity of rest in our otherwise extremely busy lives.

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How to Practice Contextualization in Everyday Life

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How to Practice Contextualization in Everyday Life

Over the past couple weeks, we have looked at what contextualization is and how it was practiced by one of the most influential characters of the New Testament: the apostle Paul. In wrapping up our journey, we turn now to what it looks like for the Christian to actively and intentionally contextualize their everyday lives for the sake of the Gospel.

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The Biblical Case for Contextualization

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The Biblical Case for Contextualization

Last week, we began our discussion on contextualization, examining its purpose and many of its misconceptions. Regarding the ministry of the Church, contextualization seeks to understand the way another person or group of people thinks, feels, and acts and then proclaims the Gospel responsively. This, however, is not a new concept discovered for the 21st century Church. Though recent books and conferences have garnered a renewed interest in the necessity and benefit of contextualized and incarnational ministry, most of the principles of contextualization that are practiced today can be traced all the way back to the biblical writer and apostle, Paul.

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Do You Know God?

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Do You Know God?

Last week I wrote a blog, sharing with you about Vintage Church’s ebook, We Are Vintage. I really do believe it is an incredible resource. It’s basic yet in-depth, making the book valuable for everyone, regardless of where they are in their walk with Christ. While the length of it might scare some people, it really shouldn’t. The book is over 300 pages in length, but each chapter is five to six pages in length, making We Are Vintage a devotional type of book. This is the kind of resource you can pick up every day, read a few pages, answer a few thought-provoking questions, and get on with your day. This week I want to share a brief snip-it from the book on the Trinity. Understanding who God is is such a massive but important task. I pray this brief section is helpful.

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Reading a Book You’ll Actually Read

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Reading a Book You’ll Actually Read

A couple of months ago during Vintage Church’s “CHANGED” series, we gave away digital copies of our first book, We Are Vintage. This was a book Pastor Rob Wilton and I wrote a couple years ago for our church. After months of working on it with several rough drafts, we were excited to give it to anyone and everyone. For many, though, it seems overwhelming. The book is over 300 pages long. However, the book is designed as more of a devotional for someone to walk through daily. And the daily readings are only three to four pages with several discussion questions. So, over the next few weeks we want to share excerpts from the We Are Vintage to give you a taste for what the book is like. Our prayer is that this content would be both equipping and encouraging for you. Look for more excerpts in the coming weeks. Enjoy!

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What is Contextualization?

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What is Contextualization?

From studying the Bible to thinking through what it looks like to be a Christian in your workplace, contextualization has become a central task in faithfully operating under a biblically holistic worldview. Yet, many in the Church today struggle with exactly what contextualization is and how they are to go about practicing it. Is there more to living contextually than just dressing like those who live in your neighborhood? Does living in light of your particular context mean that unbelievers will admire or even respect you?

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Do You Consider Yourself A Theologian?

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Do You Consider Yourself A Theologian?

"What do you believe?” Many of us can quickly answer this question. In our current, postmodern culture, there are a variety of people with an even greater variety of opinions on a variety of issues. Unfortunately, however, in today’s world, the question “What do you believe” can only get you so far as you strive to grow and mature in your relationship with Christ. With so many people holding so loosely to so many positions, a second, much more penetrating question becomes all the more critical and important: “Why?” “Why do you believe what you believe?” The answer to this question is your “personal theology,” and developing your answer could be the difference between being rooted in Christ and being consumed by the world.

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Enjoy Jazz Music & Support a New Orleans School

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Enjoy Jazz Music & Support a New Orleans School

Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in August 2005. Almost a decade after this disaster, our city is transitioning into a new phase of rebuilding. The early stages included house repair and new businesses moving in or starting up. This new phase that is occurring will be one of the most important ones. Involved will be new developments and different social reforms. One of the important institutions will be the New Orleans school system, which includes various charter and public schools.

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Don’t Miss Vintage’s Special Guest This Sunday—Ben Grubbs

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Don’t Miss Vintage’s Special Guest This Sunday—Ben Grubbs

Our guest this Sunday at Vintage Church really needs no introduction. Ben Grubbs is a Pro Bowl Offensive Lineman for the New Orleans Saints and is the founder of the Ben Grubbs Foundation. Follow him on twitter: @BenGrubbs66. You can read more about Ben and his foundation HERE. His foundation is hosting an annual charity softball game with his teammates at Zephyrs’ Field on May 21st. You can get tickets on his website. Over the last couple of years I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Ben and consider him a great friend. Recently, Jesus has transformed Ben’s life and I had the privilege of baptizing Ben in San Diego at Pro Athletes Outreach.

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