An older lady wrote:
I have no problem with a joyful noise, but so many churches play very loud “worship” music that’s hard to sing. In their attempt to be relevant to a younger generation, the elderly are considered out of touch. For those who grew up with organs and hymns this “music” isn’t conducive to worship. I long for a church that believes, “Be still and know that I am God.”
I answered her in this way:
Your point is a good one. Song choices and volume of music are very important considerations, and making just the right choices can present a difficult task for local church leaders. Getting the air temperature in the sanctuary to be “just right” is another common sticking point! But there is such a thing as too hot, and such a thing as too loud. Often the decibels are too much, especially for older congregants. The Church shouldn’t be divided along generational lines, so it’s a mistake to appease the young at the expense of serving all ages.
Blessed are the Peacemakers
When you have something on your mind that you’d love to discuss just let me know. Even if it’s to ask (as someone did), “Has everyone forgotten how great last year’s World Series was?” Or as another wrote when reaching out, “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. But in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double edged sword.” (He was quoting Proverbs 5:3-4, not prompted by anything in particular). I’ve had people randomly seek my thoughts on a “hot take” about Donald Trump, too. Whatever floats your boat, I’m almost always open to talking about it. Thank you in advance for jumpstarting a conversation with whatever interesting points you might raise for discussion. When you reach out for a one-on-one connection please allow ample time for a response (particularly when you’re contacting me past my bedtime).
Faith Debate Digest
End of the World As We Know It
Competing views among Christians include: Dispensational. Amillennial. Post Millennial. Pre-Trib. Post-Trib. Mid-Trib. Preterist. Futurist. Partial Preterist. These are words that come up when discussing eschatology, “last things”, Armageddon. “the end of the age”. What do they mean? How should we examine these perspectives? This episode provides an overview in defining these terms, and sets up discussions for four additional shows. Joining me on the panel: Jace Broadhurst (Pastor, Poolesville Baptist Church) and Travis Finley (blogger/podcaster with a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary). The original air date was 6/4/17.
Is the Future Already Past?
Preterism – what is it? What do Christians holding this view believe (and what are their main reasons for believing what they do)? Has all of biblical prophecy been completely fulfilled and realized? Has Jesus already returned? Are there reasons from the Bible for thinking so? This episode is part two of a five show arc addressing questions such as, “When will the end of the world occur? Will it end at all? Has it already ended in some sense? Should Christians scour newspapers looking for clues in the headlines of daily events?” Again joining me on the panel are Jace Broadhurst and Travis Finley. The original air date was 6/11/17.
Have All “End Times” Prophecies of the Bible Already Been Fulfilled?
When we read what the Bible says about the end of the world as we know it, including the tribulation and Second Coming of Christ, are we reading history (meaning that it’s already happened)? Or perhaps partially history, with some of it having happened, with more yet to come? Or is it all futuristic? Saying it’s history is called Preterism. Preterism is divided into two camps: Full Preterism (believing that all prophecy has come to absolute fruition) and Partial Preterism (believing that prophecy has been fulfilled, and yet there’s more to come). This is part 3 of a 5 part discussion on this topic with guest panelists Jace Broadhurst and Travis Finley. The original air date was 6/18/17.
Discussion of Last Things, End Times, The End of the World – In Other Words “Eschatology”
When studying the Bible for answers to these sorts of questions, is it okay to allegorize biblical prophesies, or should things be understood more woodenly? How woodenly? How allegorically? And why? How should this be done to remain within the scope of orthodoxy? This is part 4 of 5 shows during which a Full Preterist tries to explain his view and persuade two Partial Preterists to consider his viewpoint. The guest panelists are again Jace Broadhurst and Travis Finley. The original air date was 6/25/17.
Deep Theological and Philosophical Questions About the “Last Days”
When will Jesus return? What are the indicators? Will He return at all? How do we know? Has He already returned? If so, in what sense? What do these questions mean for you? If Jesus isn’t coming again, what’s this say about God, faith, the church, and society as a whole? If He is returning and yet to come, what’s this say about how one should live their life and prepare? If He’s already returned, what’s this say about the world in which we now live and what happens next? This is part 5 of 5 in a multi-episode arc of shows. Guest panelists are again Jace Broadhurst and Travis Finley. The original air date was 7/2/17.
Tune in to the news and you probably wonder, “Can I believe what the newscaster is telling me?” Love certain politicians or hate certain politicians, most would agree that government officials don’t always tell the truth. If your marriage is on the rocks, you might then start to wonder if there’s anyone, anywhere who you can believe. Heck, even your cute little kids lie about not taking the cookie without permission… while they have their hand in the cookie jar! We end up getting jaded. Jaded about the companies for which we work. Jaded about the bureaucracies that seem to rule our lives. Jaded even about the athletes we used to admire and cheer. And these are of little consequence when placed in eternal context. Eternity is a mighty long time, let me tell ya. What do you believe about eternity and your place in it? To tackle the question of belief, I’m joined on the panel by Peter Kemeny (Pastor, Good News Presbyterian Church) and Kent Ramler (Pastor, People’s Baptist Church – Home to Frederick Christian Academy). The original air date for this show was 1/7/18.
I had the privilege of being a guest on “Success Happens with Jen Charlton” on January 6th, 2018. If you missed her show on that Saturday, but would like to hear it… well, here’s the first half of Jennifer’s show from that day (with the second half coming up on the next Faith Debate episode). Jennifer Charlton is also the former Executive Director for Mission of Mercy’s MDPA program, a 2015 Brava Award winner in SmartCEO Magazine, a 2015 Circle of Excellence Award finalist in SmartCEO Magazine, President & Past Commissioner of the Frederick County Commission for Women, a former Self-Expression & Leadership Program Leader with Landmark Education Worldwide, and the winner of Miss Maryland in 1985’s Miss America Pageant. The original air date for this show was 1/14/18.
Well, the first half of Jennifer’s show from January of 2018 was featured on the previous Faith Debate episode. So, the remaining half of that episode of her show is featured on this Faith Debate episode. Jennifer’s show brings together successful leaders in the business community and public service sectors to share inspiring stories of success and failures… on the pathway to success. During engaging conversations each week, community leaders from a wide-range of industries share life lessons that they’ve learned through their challenges and the vision they hold for their future. The original air date for this show was 1/21/18.
“Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear, five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure – measure a year? In daylights – in sunsets, in midnights – in cups of coffee, in inches – in miles, in laughter – in strife, in – five hundred twenty – five thousand six hundred minutes, how do you measure a year in the life? How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love.” You might recognize these words as the lyrics to a hit song from the musical “Rent”. It’s amazing what one can glean from even secular sources that help illustrate what is taught in the Bible. There is no panel for this particular episode. This week features the first half of a sermon message that I had the opportunity to share with a local congregation. The sermon illustrates an important concept highlighted in 2 John 12-13. The original air date for this show was 1/28/18.
I saw a stage play, a musical, that very accurately captured much that is true about life in the world. As the lyrics to “Seasons of Love” tell us, there is both laughter and strife. And our lives can pass us by quickly with meaninglessness, if we’re not careful. But “Rent” blends these helpful insights with a troubling outlook on the human condition. For example, these words from the song “No Day But Today”: “The heart may freeze or it can burn, the pain will ease if I can learn there is no future, there is no past; there’s only us, there’s only this. No other road, no other way, no day but today; there’s only yes, only tonight. We must let go, to know what is right. No other course; no other way. I trust my soul. My only hope is just to be. There’s only now, there’s only here; no other path, no other way. No day but today.” Believe it or not, these songs provide the perfect teaser for a sermon that recaps a previous sermon that I preached on 2 John 1-11, and then embraces the wonderful theme of community in fellowship that is found in 2 John 12-13. So, no panelists this time. This episode features the second half of the sermon message I began to share on the previous week’s show. The original air date for this show was 2/4/18.
P.S. The “Pastor’s Blog” has been offered for your reading pleasure (and even your reading displeasure) in fits and starts. The irregularity of the writing process has been a longstanding source of dissatisfaction for me. So, in 2025 there will be a monthly article posted (God willing). In 2026 the aim will be to publish twice as frequently, if possible. A smart person once told me all blog articles should be no more than 1,500 words. Another smart person said going up to 2,500 words was okay. I’ve decided for now to split the difference, and henceforth will target approximately 2,000 words per blog on this platform. However, I anticipate some occasional articles will go very deep into theology, and these will almost certainly be longer than the typical articles. So that’s the plan, anyway. Let’s see how it goes.
And lastly, as I review some of my old ponderings on social media, I found this note to a good man that I’ve allowed to drift from my life. I wrote, “Congrats to my bud Paul D. Hudson for his big win!” when he was voted the best real estate agent by readers of Frederick Magazine. In his typical humility he responded, “Was I the only one on the ballot?” I assured him, “You’re the only one in our hearts!” Without skipping a beat he went straight into sales mode, asking, “Ready to buy a fixer upper? That would make a good new Decorating Date Night program project.” To this all I could say was, “Indeed!” None of us have enough friends in our life. Take care of the ones you have.
Many blessings to you,
Pastor Troy Skinner
