Bart's Blog

My doctoral dissertation, focused on how successful church revitalization pastors act to develop and empower next-generation leaders. A Phenomenological Study of Pastoral Leadership Development Behaviors in the Revitalization of Small Evangelical Churche s Available at https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4002 Abstract Church revitalization has received renewed interest in the last several years. Rainer (2014) says that a congregation’s failure to develop and empower next-generation leaders is one of the leading contributors to church closure. Likewise, Clifton (2016) and Stetzer (2007) highlight the importance of developing next-generation leaders during church revitalization.  The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the leadership development behaviors of senior or solo pastors who successfully led revitalization in a small evangelical church. This study defined a small church as one averaging 65 or fewer in attendance at the beginning of the past...

by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. I wrote this article years ago, and while I still see value in some of the arguments presented, my view has become more settled with time. Let me say it plainly: No, the early church fathers did not believe in a pretribulation rapture —at least not in the way John Nelson Darby and modern dispensationalists since the 1800s have taught it. They didn’t believe in it for one very good reason: the Bible didn’t teach it that way , and they were far closer—both chronologically and culturally—to the apostles than we are. But what did they believe? Let’s explore. Reading the Fathers with a Clear Eye Some scholars and popular writers have tried to find early traces of the pretribulation rapture among the church fathers. The argument often goes like this: If these early Christians believed in the imminent return of Christ and held to a millennial reign, then maybe—just maybe—they also believed in a secret rapture of the church before a Great Tribulation. Sounds in...

by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. If you’ve ever read 1 Corinthians 11 and found yourself puzzled by Paul’s instruction that women should cover their heads in worship “because of the angels” (v. 10), you’re not alone. This passage has sparked confusion and debate for centuries. Some, like K. P. Yohannan, argue that Paul’s words are a timeless command for all women in every church to wear head coverings while praying or prophesying. The reference to angels, they claim, seals it as a universal directive. But is that really what Paul intended? Let’s take a closer look. While 1 Corinthians 11 teaches principles that still matter today, the practice of head covering appears rooted in a specific time, place, and culture. And the reference to angels? It’s important, but perhaps not in the way some assume. What Did Paul Actually Say? Paul’s only mention of head coverings is in 1 Corinthians 11, a letter written to a first-century church navigating issues of gender roles, worship practices, and pu...

I don’t watch much television, but when I do, I really enjoy the game show “Jeopardy!”   The show has been around for close to 60 years, and the late host, Alex Trebek, stumped contestants for well over 7,000 episodes during 36 years on the show. [1]   For those who can’t get enough “Jeopardy!” or want to be part of the action without leaving home, there are board games and video games based on the show.   “Jeopardy!” is a quiz show, but with a twist.   In this game, contestants receive the answers and are required to provide the question.   Quiz shows like “Jeopardy!”—and more recently, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” which I also love, are a bit more intellectual than many other types of game shows.   In fact, a smart friend of mine once lamented that he was a “Jeopardy!” person living in a “Wheel of Fortune” world. When I see people who don’t do so well on “Jeopardy!” the first thing I think is, “That’s how I’d do on this show.” And the second thing...

Have you ever been job hunting?  Sure you have unless you’re lucky enough to be independently wealthy or were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth.  After theIt’s great when you find that dream job. Well, okay, maybe it’s not a dream job, but at least you don’t have to go through the grind of a job hunt anymore.  Then, suddenly, your company downsizes, you tick your boss off for the last time, or you just plain get tired of your job and know you need a new one. Time to go job hunting again. So, where do you start looking for your new job?   Before the internet, we all went to the newspaper “help wanted” ads.   Today, you go to Indeed.com or Monster or to the website of companies that you are interested in, and you look up the available jobs.   You look at an overview of the job.   You check out the qualifications for the job:   Do you have the minimum education and experience needed?   Are you overqualified?   You pay pa...