Mortification Of Spin

Crisis! Todd's past comes back to bite him. This Promise Keepers-sweatshirt-wearing hooligan and the rest of the gang discuss a continually important pastoral subject: leadership. Much of what passes for "leadership training" in the evangelical church is profoundly unhelpful. It has more in common with secular leadership theory than it has with anything found in Scripture. This becomes especially troubling when it comes to pastoral leadership. What qualities should a good leader have? How can pastors improve their leadership capabilities to better serve their churches? Listen in!The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give you a free MP3 of Dr. James Boice's message from the set Nehemiah: Learning to Lead titled "The Leader and God." 

"If you will agree to tithe your income for 90 days and you don't receive a blessing from God, you'll get your money back, guaranteed!" This sort of spiritual mumbo jumbo is, as Carl nicely sums up, bonkers. Those who propose these gimmicks are treating God as a pagan deity, and wrapping it all in vaguely orthodox theology. We can't stand by and accept this "prosperity gospel lite." Tune in to the latest Bully Pulpit and you'll receive a blessing or your wasted time back, guaranteed!Visit Reformed Resources and download the free MP3 by James Boice, "Robbers! Robbers of God."

Dubbed the reformed Harry Styles, William Shatner, and Cruella De Vil, Carl, Todd, and Aimee set out on another spinning adventure. The MoS posse toss around ideas about the biblical concept of finding strength in the midst of weakness. As Christians, we must draw our strength from our brokenness, sinfulness, and weakness. How can pastors shepherd their flocks of weak, broken people as weak, broken people themselves? On a different note, how is Carl similar to Harry Styles? Will he be able to compete for some of Harry's fan girls?    Enter the giveaway for your chance to win the audio series "Overcoming Adversity" by James Boice!This study from the book of Genesis focuses on the early life of Joseph. As a young man, Joseph experiences hardships of all kinds, from betrayal and rejection to temptation and loneliness. Through these dark years, Joseph kept his eyes on God, and his faith was strengthened. From studying Joseph’s life, you can learn how God is working in your own difficulties. You’ll see why God all

Broadcasting from deep within the bowels of a college's frathouse, the wandering band of misfits address campus ministry. Bouncing off of an article published on First Things by Robert Gregory, the gang talks about campus ministry on secular colleges, some of which are making Christian groups hire non-Christian leaders. How should churches respond to this? Should they look toward starting their own on-campus ministries? How can they partner with solid, Bible-beliving, Reformed campus ministries already established? If you have enjoyed this weeks Bully Pulpit, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you The Cost of Discipleship by James Boice as a free digital download from Reformed Resources.

Quilting needles in hand (just listen, you'll get it), the Spin Team get to a controversial topic once again - this time discussing racial diversity with author Trillia Newbell. Trillia's perspective is a unique and helpful one, as she gets into issues not yet talked about on Mortification of Spin. Especially as Christians, we need to remember to treat other humans beings, created in the image of God, as brothers and sisters. What are practical steps that we can take to help create racially diverse churches? Can Aimee really quilt with nunchuck needles? What will  Mrs. Trueman think of Carl's "feminine side?"  If you enjoyed todays Mortification of Spin then you might enjoy a free copy of Trillia Newell's book United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity.WinnersJason D., Haltom City, TXBeth H., Laceys Spring, ALRenee B., Oklahoma City, OKCharles B., Hattiesburg, MSAndrew F., Ben Lomond, CA

Fatherhood is a weighty responsibility. Fathering daughters is especially challenging. Who makes the rules for a daughter's life, particularly when it comes to dating? What is the dad's responsibility in setting the rules? Fathers must hold fast and protect their daughters wholeheartedly. The Spin Squad tackles another touchy subject, so listen with caution! With this episode of Mortification of Spin the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer the audio message Children and Parents by James Boice for free, you can recieve your free gift at Reformed Resources.

"Dispy Dan" Phillips drops by the West Virginian tavern the gang seems to find themselves in to talk bad about niceness. Is it wrong to be mean in conservative Evangelicalism? Is niceness the highest calling for a Christian? It's proposed as the end-all of Christian life, but is this really the case? Writing as a "pyro-maniac" for years, Dan has become something of an expert in Evangelical niceness. Listen to Dan and the crew make even more enemies and dig themselves even further in. If you have enjoyed this episode of Mortification of Spin then the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer you a chance to win a free copy of  Mortification of Spin: First Season MP3 by visiting reformed resources here.WinnersNoe A., Humble, TxThirza R., Houston, TXNord Z., Camden, INTerry C., Perkasie, PaJonathan D., Martinsburg, WVTerry F., Walbridge, OH

The ragtag group of vagabonds takes on the issue of pastoral plagiarism, and as usual pulls no punches. After scoffing at the "manly" Father's Day items Aimee is considering buying for her husband, they get down to the issue. How much can a pastor "borrow" from others before his preaching becomes plagiaristic? This is a weighty topic and an extremely important one for the church today.This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away Calvinist Experimental Preaching by Joel Beeke as a free audio message, you can download this free gift from Reformed Resources.

Listen today on Mortification of Spin to decide for yourself if your favorite Reformed pastor is more than just a pretty face. The gang’s penchant for the serious, however, is not eclipsed by the silly. Mark Jones joins Carl, Todd, and Aimee to tackle the huge topic of antinomianism. Rev. Jones brings important thoughts to bear on the current debate of justification and sanctification and where the believer gets his assurance of salvation. WinnersBryce A., Torrington, CTDeb F., Ephrata, PASteven M., New York, NYRick M., Orlando, FLChristine R., hugoton, KSA D R., Rogers, ARMatthew M., Union Grove, WIMichael H., Athens, GALinford B., Dayton, VAJames C., Minneapolis, MN

The question of women’s roles in the church is as old as the church herself, but in the past ten years the numbers of women teaching theology has skyrocketed. Women teach on blogs, posts, and tweets from all over the world. Is it OK? What is the difference between her work and a non-ordained man’s? Carl, Todd, and Aimee address this topic on today’s Bully Pulpit. If you have enjoyed this week's Bully Pulpit concerning gender issues you will enjoy Gender Confusion Among Women by Rosaria Butterfield as a free gift from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can download the audio message from Reformed Resources.

The Mortification of Spin hosts delve into a more serious topic today in a discussion with Dr. Diane Langberg. A licensed psychologist, Dr. Langberg has walked alongside victims of domestic violence for almost four decades.  In this sober conversation, she offers sound counsel to a complex and painful issue: how to respond to allegations of childhood sexual abuse in the church. Get equipped to protect and provide hope for the weak and vulnerable. This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is offering a chance to win a MP3 set Hearing God When You Hurt by James Boice. Fill out the form for your chance to win.    These are some additional resources that were mentioned this week:         

This week’s Bully Pulpit finds the free-range gang sippin’ coffee made by vulnerable baristas who use only respectfully treated coffee beans.  As Carl, Todd, and Aimee get real, they raise an issue magnified by social media: the blurring of public and private boundaries in our lives and the phenomena of showcasing our emotions.  But as cage-free as they try to be, you’ll have to go elsewhere to see them cry.  After all, there is still a remnant of those who chose to blubber in private.In addition to this weeks Bully Pulpit, The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer A Time to Cease From Weeping by James Boice as a free audio download here.

Melanie Brunson and her dog Sparta join Carl, Todd, and Aimee this week to discuss the church's care for people with disabilities. Blind from infancy, Melanie gives a unique and enlightening perspective on being a part of the body of Christ. How can Christians help those with disabilities in their churches? How does a blind woman meditate on the Sovereignty of God in a culture where the prosperity gospel speaks false promises?  This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like the audio download Faith Healing and the Sovereignty of God by C. Everett Koop for free here.

Todd and Aimee go at it without Carl today to discuss the practice of “Fight Churches.”  Can men beat the living daylights out of each other one day and pray on their knees together the next?  If so, why would they even want to do that?  What does it have to do with outreach and evangelism?  Extra bonus: the team reveals for the first time ever the secret of their very short commute to MoS recording locations.This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer a free audio download, Christ and His Church by Rick Phillips. You can find your free download here.

Back in their secret underground bunker, the spin team phone up David Wells to discuss his body of work and his huge contributions to modern Christianity. As a turncoat, a self-described "African-American," David has a unique experience and insight into American Christianity. David's voice has carried a lot of weight for much of evangelicalism, and he discusses issues related to this movement. Does evangelicalism have a center, a true coherence, anymore? Is it possible to have one again? David's Wells' input on this timely conversation is beneficial both for those who profess to be evangelical, and for those who don't. The week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give away a free copy of David Wells new book God in the Whirlwind. For a chance to win this great resource fillout this form (only available for USA mailing addresses).

If you are looking to be inspired the Mortification of Spin team is on task to speak to your mind.  In light of the release of “Heaven is For Real” last week, the team asks important questions about how the church should do evangelism.  While Americans tend to be drawn toward the sensational and the inspiring, the Bible sufficiently teaches that the gospel is to be communicated by ordinary means. Think cross, not glitter. If you have enjoyed this weeks Bully Pulpit the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer The True Word by R.C. Sproul.  

After taking care of the official business of making Aimee "one of the guys," the hosts get into a discussion of Easter and its celebration in churches. Is Easter a pagan holiday? It is necessary for pastors to preach the resurrection, so its focus on Easter shouldn't be abnormal, but it should certainly be emphasized. Listen in to hear the gang's thoughts on Easter, chocolate bunnies, lent, and government-regulated nutritional guidelines. For the Easter season the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals has  offered this generous gift The Theology of the Cross. Use coupon code, 9ydunu, to redeem this great MP3 set. Only available to US and Canada addresses. 

"Gospel-centered" desserts: transforming the culture, or confusing Gospel categories? This "excessively Kuyperian" approach to the Christian life seems to seek to make a vocation Christian, instead of one being a Christian in a vocation. We do not need to "Christianize" things in order to be faithful Christians. Instead of trying to "transform" or "redeem" our vocations, Christians should seek to be the best bakers, mechanics, and rock-and-roll superstars they can be, to the glory of God. All else is a cheap imitation of the true duty of the church. Listen to Carl, Todd, and Aimee briefly discuss these weighty matters of the Christian life. Downlaod the free MP3 message Growing Your Christian Life, Part 1 by Sinclair Ferguson.Also available are Growing Your Christian Life, Part 2 and Growing Your Christian Life, Part 3.Growing Your Christian Life is also available as a CD set. 

How does God speak to us today? How do we understand the sufficiency of God's Word? Carl, Aimee, and Todd take Sarah Young's popular devotional "Jesus Calling" to task. In it, Young claims to need more than Scripture to hear from God and has written words "from Jesus" she heard outside of her Bible study. The "Spin Doctors" mortify the book, a product of modern individualism, and offer a few replacement suggestions. What responsibilities do pastors have in confronting this kind of book, or any cultural artifact with which their congregations are interacting?  Free MP3 Audio download from the Alliance of Confessing EvangelicsA Busy Man's Devotional Life by James Boice    Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions by Starr Meade       Communion with God by John Owen

With many states moving to legalize marijuana churches may now and certainly will soon have to deal with congregants smoking pot. Does the Bible allow for use of substances like marijuana? What part does a Christian's freedom play in the use of the drug? How should churches respond? Carl, Todd, and Aimee debate the moral and ecclesiastical ramifications of smoking pot. If you found this Bully Pulpit interesting, the Aliiance of Confessing Evangelicals has a free resource for you. How Low Can You Go? by James Boice