Wisdom for Your Weekend is your regular installment of what we’ve been reading (and watching) around the web. Presented to you by Chris Pappalardo, with occasional guidance from Pastor J.D., this is our attempt to reflect Proverbs 9:9: “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
Video of the Week
Together for Good: My Burden for Our Racial Brokenness, John Piper. Every Christian should take a cue from the patience, sympathy, and biblical fidelity of Pastor John. As he points out, Piper is not “an authority” on matters of race, but he has a deep passion to see greater harmony, greater justice, and more beauty in the wider family that is called the Body of Christ. For all of us who wish to see racial brokenness healed—and especially for those of us in the majority culture—this is an important perspective.
Articles of the Week
Men: Don’t Give Up on Working with Women, Halee Gray Scott. In 1948, Billy Graham and some others published a “Modesto Manifesto.” The manifesto was released in response to other evangelists whose ministries were ruined by sexual immorality. Graham vowed to “avoid any situation that would even have the appearance of compromise,” including meeting alone with any woman other than his wife. That “Billy Graham Rule” has been adapted by many well-meaning men over the years, but it has also led to many women in the workplace feeling alienated and shamed. Is there a way to protect purity that also promotes healthy working relationships between men and women? Scott comes to the rescue with four helpful suggestions.
Pastor, Aim to Preach Simple Sermons, Jeff Wiesner. Note that Wiesner didn’t say shorter sermons (though that may be a side effect). This is helpful advice for those of us—a significant group, most likely—who are inclined to let our love of words carry us to a bad place. The point of the sermon isn’t to showcase our cleverness. It’s to exalt Christ.
How Much Should a Pastor Tell His Wife? Dave Harvey. This is one of those topics that every pastor has to deal with but nearly no one addresses in seminary. Day in and day out, you are burdened with the difficult life situations of the people in your congregation. And your wife—blessed spouse that she is—recognizes that you’re distracted, anxious, or down. So when she asks, “What’s going on?” how should you respond? Here are six ground rules for knowing what your wife’s “clearance level” is.
My Favorite Books of 2017, Russell Moore. Tis the season. To be jolly? Sure. But also, to share lists of the best books of 2017. Some of these lists are worth ignoring. But some are worth serious investigation. Put Moore squarely in that latter category. Do yourself a favor and promise to read at least one of these in 2018. We’ll do it, too.
On the Lighter Side
Five Worship Gestures That Are Also Helpful in Other Situations, Adam Ford. Number 3 is my (Chris’) favorite. But number 5 will probably stick with me the longest. Then again, perhaps it’s just that I’ve been reading Crime and Punishment of late.
