I used to be a member (for quite a few years, actually) of a Calvinist-leaning church with an internationally known pastor. He officiated our wedding. My wife and I had a fair number of relationships. The first three of our five children were dedicated there. Even then it was biggish, averaging just under a thousand people each Sunday. But that was in 1999, when I left to go to seminary. Today, that same church is averaging a weekly attendance of 5,000. I’m often asked why my family is not presently there, as we share much in common theologically and have a considerable history with this church. For context, I was pastoring a church in Minneapolis until I resigned a year ago today due to elder conflict. In the aftermath of my resignation, we needed of a local church that wasn’t only theologically substantive but also a place where we could decompress, heal, and basically receive needed pastoral care. With that backdrop, Carl Trueman’s recent post captures my sentiments. He concludes:
Of course, if the Reformed mega-church is the only gospel preaching place in your area, you may have no choice but to attend there; but where possible, go to a church where the pastor and elders can really get to know you and you can roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty (sometimes literally). That is simply closer to the NT model.
I strongly concur. Read Carl’s post here.
