by Bret Capranica | Aug 23, 2009 | Ecclesiology, Technology
Really? Can we really worship biblically with the church simply through our iPhone? How does this not deny the very meaning of “Church?” Fla. Megachurch Brings Worship to the iPhone |...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 28, 2009 | Ecclesiology, Seeker-Sensitive
This was taken from Pastor Rick’s News and Views – Saddleback Church. Dear Saddleback Family, I’m not sleeping much. I’m too excited. THIS SATURDAY, March 28, will be THE GREATEST DAY in Saddleback’s history. OVER 2,000 people have already signed up to become members of our church family on a single day! They’re joining me for: BREAKFAST, BAPTISM & CLASS 101 WITH PASTOR RICK THIS SATURDAY AT 8:30 AM TO NOON IN THE WORSHIP CENTER. SIGN UP TODAY! Two thousand years ago – the Day of Pentecost was the first day of the Christian Church. Acts 2:41 tells us, “About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the church that day.” If you’ll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback! Want to make history? Which of these requirements do you need to complete this Saturday? 1. Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Click here to learn more. 2. Attend Class 101: Discovering Your Church Family. Sign up. 3. Sign our membership covenant (explained in class). 4. Be baptized the way Jesus commanded and modeled for us. (Many of us were baptized as kids on our parent’s faith. Jesus modeled believer’s baptism at age 30 when he was baptized in the Jordan River) It would be my privilege to baptize you after Class 101. YOU CAN FINISH ALL 4 REQUIREMENTS IN ONE DAY – THIS SATURDAY! EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE: 1. I’m personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years. 2. I’m personally baptizing after Class and you’ll receive a photo & baptism certificate. 3. You’ll get a free one...
![The Musings of An Ordinary Pastor]()
by Bret Capranica | Mar 15, 2009 | Blogging, Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry
I am an ordinary pastor. That is, I know myself well enough and I have been around enough extraordinary pastors to be well aware of how ordinary I am. The content, regularity, and writing style found here at THE CAPRANICA all document the degree of my ordinariness. Actually, I enjoy being ordinary. Obscurity is often bliss. Normality, more than often, is a blessing. The front-lines of the ordinary contain enough excitement, challenge, heartache, and doldrum to keep me focused and engaged in the Lord’s work. I have been an ordinary pastor for over 20 years (I began ministry in 1988 in a rural Texas Panhandle church) and I have never been bored with ministry; I’ve always been busy, and I’m as excited today about serving the church as I was twenty years ago when I began. I really do enjoy being among the ordinary. Ordinary is not often publicly celebrated, but ordinary pastors dominate the landscape of church life across our country; we are, by far, the vast majority. In reality, only a small percentage of pastors in the world could really be called or evaluated as extraordinary. I thank God for many of them . The Savior has used (and still does) a few of them in many influential ways in my life and ministry. Yet, most of us who serve the Lord as local church shepherds will not host presidential forums; books will not host our names as authors; national conferences will not contain our photos as keynote speakers; our church facilities will never be highlighted on the latest church growth magazines; and the denominational leaders have...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 9, 2009 | Biblical Studies, Eschatology, Hermeneutics, Pauline Theology
Romans 15:7 ¶ Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” 10 Again he says, “REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” 11 And again, “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.” 12 Again Isaiah says, “THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” 13 ¶ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Last Sunday I preached on this passage. The following is simply a note for further on an issue in the text I did not address in my sermon. Does this passage teach that the church is the new Israel? Does this passage indicate that the church fulfills prophecies made specifically to the nation of Israel? Jason Robertson, recently wrote of this passage: “In Romans 15:8-12, Paul notes that the conversion of the Gentiles is a ‘confirming of the promises to the fathers.’ And at least one of the verses brought forth as proof speaks of Christ’s Messianic kingdom rule (Rom. 15:12).” Contrary to my good friend, I think...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 7, 2009 | Ecclesiology, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Personal, Preaching
My expectations for encouragement, equipping, and fellowship as well as theological, spiritual, and practical stimulation were all exceeded this past week. I’m exhausted as I write, but overjoyed with the benefits from a fruitful three days at the 2009 Shepherds’ Conference. In an abbreviated, fashion, here were the highlights for me: Of the three days, Friday was the highlight for me. Every message hit me personally and practically (Phil Johnson, Alex Montoya’s seminar, Steve Lawson, and John MacArthur). Every song, every meal, every conversation, every moment was especially sweet to me that day. You should go and listen (or re-listen) to each of the messages from Friday. I was prepared to return to the flock. Overall: The messages ““ every one of them was used significantly in my heart. I could never communicate it all. John MacArthur stirred up my passions for the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures. He reminded me of the simplicity, yet profound impact the basics of Scriptural ministry have. He taught me again the value of plumbing the depths and doing your best to make them clear in your preaching. Tom Pennington, challenged me to protect and build the church the way Scripture demands. Rick Holland fixed my ministry focus on Christ and challenged me to make my pursuit of His glory ultimate. Albert Mohler infused my soul with a passion to preach so that the authority of Christ is publicly displayed and obvious. Phil Johnson demonstrated the relevancy of the Scriptures taught in their historical context. He powerfully demonstrated the implications of the passage (Titus 2:6-8) to the issue of our reverent speech...
