Booknote: “Persistent Prayer” by Guy M. Richard

By Charlie Wingard · September 28, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  Reformed Theological Seminary is blessed to have campus presidents who are gifted theologians, skilled pastors, and accessible communicators – which is why I was eager to purchase Persistent Prayer by Guy Richard, president of Reformed Theological Seminary, Atlanta. God’s people are always in need of teaching on the nature of prayer and exhortations to its faithful practice. My goal as a pastor is for my church family to pursue lives of prayer: pouring out their hearts to the Lord in their private devotions, family worship, and the prayer meetings of the church. Persistent Prayer will prove a valuable tool in reaching that goal. Of all the helpful reminders I found in this book, perhaps this was most needed: “Prayer…

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Booknote: “Expository Preaching” by David Strain

By Charlie Wingard · September 27, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  When Lynne and I moved to Mississippi, we wanted to find a church home. We had two requirements: a church with both Sunday morning and evening worship services (we love the Lord’s Day!) and a pastor committed to expository preaching. What a blessing to find both at First Pres Jackson with David Strain’s preaching! David’s Expository Preaching is a gem – every Christian should read it. The Bible is indeed God’s word – and faithful preachers bring the words from God’s heart to the hearts of his dearly beloved people. Had David done no more than provide us with eleven arguments in favor of expository preaching, he would have served the church well. But his practical advice on getting…

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Booknote: “Covenantal Baptism” by Jason Helopoulos

By Charlie Wingard · September 27, 2021 · 0 Comments
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Covenantal Baptism is a concise and thorough explanation of the doctrine of infant – indeed, all covenant children’s – baptism. It is biblical in content, irenic in tone, and pastoral in application. I especially appreciate Jason Helopoulos‘s exposition of the vows PCA parents and congregations take – a feature that makes the book helpful in inquirers’ and new members’ classes. Many thanks to P&R Publishing for making this fine book available.

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Trinity Psalter Hymnal App

By Charlie Wingard · August 12, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  For many believers, singing Psalms and traditional hymns is a new experience. One obstacle to singing them confidently is unfamiliarity with many of the tunes to which they are set. Last month I purchased the Trinity Psalter Hymnal App and have been using it in my devotions. It contains the texts and music for the entire Trinity Psalter Hymnal, which our church uses as its psalter. Piano recordings assist in learning unfamiliar tunes. My heart’s desire is for my congregation, First Presbyterian Church of Yazoo City, to know the psalms and great hymns of the church and to sing them with confidence. This app will prove a valuable resource in achieving that goal.  

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Presbyterian Orphanage of Missouri (1959-1962)

By Charlie Wingard · July 5, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  “Mr. Wingard sure cut our hair short,” recalled Guy. He was speaking about my dad, George Wingard, who served as the assistant superintendent (and barber) of the Presbyterian Orphanage of Missouri in Farmington from 1959-1962. Guy grew up at the orphanage. In the 1990s it was converted to the senior apartments that are now his home. I met him last week before the start of the PCA’s General Assembly in St. Louis. But this wasn’t the first time our paths crossed. Guy and I would have been in church together often during my three years in Farmington. Children weren’t permitted to miss worship at Farmington Presbyterian Church unless they were sick. It was my family’s church home. My Uncle…

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Booknote: “Good, Good, Father” by C.L. Chase

By Charlie Wingard · June 17, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  Good, Good Father: Knowing God as He Wants to Be Known explores a grand theme: abiding in God’s fatherly care through Jesus our Lord. In twenty-six short meditations, readers are invited to experience the joy of knowing the God who lavishes his love on his adopted children. Identifying the promises of our heavenly Father and learning to claim them is the privilege Charley Chase wants every reader to enjoy. His scripture expositions are clear, his illustrations sparkle, and his plentiful quotations draw on the treasures of Reformed writers who have thought deeply about God’s fatherly love and care for his dear children

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Booknote: “Pastors and Their Critics” by Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson

By Charlie Wingard · June 5, 2021 · 0 Comments
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  Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson, Pastors and their Critics: A Guide to Coping with Criticism in the Ministry. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020. $10.00, paper. Criticism can drive men from the ministry. For some it comes early in their careers, unexpected and fierce, like a flash flood. Unable to receive criticism, the pastor resigns or moves to another field believing, wrongly, that his initial experience was unique. What went wrong? Part of the problem can be unrealistic expectations. While preparing for ministry, a young man envisions his future congregation as a group of believers eager to learn from him and follow his leadership. Early on, criticism came and expectations were shattered, leaving him hurt and disillusioned. Isolation can exacerbate the…

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Booknote: “Weak Pastor, Strong Christ” by Rueben Bredenhof

By Charlie Wingard · April 7, 2021 · 0 Comments
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Many books analyze the apostle Paul’s theology and missionary work. Reuben Bredenhof examines the ministry of Paul the pastor in his new book, Weak Pastor, Strong Christ. His careful study of 2 Corinthians unfolds an apostolic model for pastoral work. Here, ministers straining under the burden of unbiblical expectations will find relief; those unsure of how to model their ministry will find godly help. He summons all pastors – in joy or trial – to rely upon Christ’s all-sufficient grace, saying with Paul, “when I am weak, then I am strong.”

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Booknote: “A Holy Minister” by Jordan Stone

By Charlie Wingard · April 5, 2021 · 0 Comments
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With an economy of words and an extensive acquaintance with M’Cheyne, Jordan Stone explains the doctrines, biblical texts, people, and controversies that influenced him. This alone makes A Holy Minister a valuable book. But far more valuable is the care taken to show how M’Cheyne’s personal piety, preaching, and pastoral ministry flowed from his deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ – the very love I want every seminarian to cultivate and cherish. The author is senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in McKinney, Texas, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at RTS Dallas.

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Amanda’s Lasting Legacy (2)

By Charlie Wingard · April 5, 2021 · 0 Comments
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Amanda Bailey’s beautiful legacy continues to bless Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson students. From her library, the three volumes of The Westminster Confession into the 21st Century were given to Foster and Laura Gullett. During the summer, they will return to continue their church planting work in Milan, Italy. Foster expressed their appreciation, observing: “The Westminster Confession has served for centuries as a beautiful synthesis of Reformed doctrine. Our prayer is to plant a church based upon that doctrine and hopefully impart its wisdom in a city and country that has largely been untouched by the effects of the Reformation.” First Presbyterian Church of Yazoo City enjoys its partnership with the Gulletts.

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