Scott's Thoughts
Click title to jump to a section and ^ TOP ^ to return. Or just scroll like a normal person. And apologies for links that make getting back here annoying. We’re annoyed, too, but it’s an app limitation. And yes, Scott once had hair that could be combed.
A Few Misc Items Worthy of Note
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A Few Important Things You May Have Missed in the Last “Scott’s Thoughts”
Unless otherwise linked below, details for the following info are in the above link to the previous Scott’s Thoughts (ST). You’ll need to scroll a smidge to get to the right place.
Do You Know What’s Going On at FCC? – You Can Always Find Out at fccgreene.org/news!
Granted, there’s too much for any one person to keep up with it all—myself included—but there’s a ton of cool stuff going on that many probably don’t know about like:
(Still Relatively New) Series Guides
As part of our ongoing work to help our people grow in God’s Word, resource our Life Group leaders and participants well, and develop biblical systems that scale for multiple locations (which sounds hifalutin’ but is an existing and emerging need), we started with the Ruth series and made available a number of additional study helps. (And incidentally, increased our copier and paper budget by at least 15%!) The latest Series Guide, which will hopefully-be-exceptional-for-its-jumpiness, includes the next 7 sermons from Nov 24, 2024 through Jan 4, 2026: 2 sermons from New City Catechism, 3 from Advent: Behold the King, 1 from New City Catechism, and a one-off at the beginning of 2026 called “The 7 Habits as Ordinary Means of Grace”. Then we’ll finish the last 10 weeks of Hebrews (and the Series Guide will be more… serial.) You can get to the most recent Series Guide at fccgreene.org/2025winterseriesguide. Newly implemented feature: Family Advent Lessons. Starting with our last section of Hebrews, we will begin including the Kids Min Parent Pages with accompanying lessons and activities for families!
Our First “Vision Bash” Was A Success!
Yes, ‘twas a smidge long—duly noted for next year—but incorporating some upcoming 2026 budget and vision plans, and an appearance from our Elders into the usual food, fellowship, and frivolity made for a great evening! We’re putting together some words, pics, and vids for a recap, so be on the lookout! Also, as mentioned there, here are a few emerging future vision plans we mentioned that you can be praying about and helping contribute toward making happen:
Recent Workshop at Longview Camps & Retreats – “In Awe of Your Words: The Power and Freedom of Teaching and Trusting the Text”
Last year we had around 30 participants, and this year we had 50, including a few Life Groups leaders and participants. We talked about how proper biblical interpretation is to “Make the Argument” the text is making, which involves 5 steps (the first of which is hairiest.)
Colombia Mission Trips – Nov, 2025 & Jan, 2026
Did you know that two FCC couples—Mike/Amanda Schubert and Matthew/Sheila Nasekos—are currently in Colombia encouraging and training church leaders and missionaries?! They’re doing work similar to the crew that went a year ago, in November 2024 (see H7 Story here) as well as visiting and encouraging Martin Sanders, a missionary we’ve supported there for some 25+ years. Be praying for our work there because we’ve got some cool emerging opportunities we’ll be telling you about hopefully very soon. Also, for this year’s Christmas Giving Project, we’re collecting funds for the ongoing work there in Colombia as there is a group going in January and we are hoping to support the church plant there with monthly budgeted giving. We are already helping fund the seminary education of the pastor and are looking into being able to do much more in a pretty cool way—will tell more when we can.
Catalyst Has An App!
You can order on it and receive loyalty points and discounts, just like other such apps. It’s pretty cool, actually, and worth downloading. I mean, it’s your church’s coffee shop—and it has its own app! Seriously, it would really help us if you would use it, tell others, stand on the street corner soliciting engagement in it, sing its praises on the socials, and basically make a good 25% of your life nothing but helping us make the Catalyst app the biggest thing that’s happened in Greeneville coffee history! Well at least please download it, use it, and maybe even tell others? That would be really helpful. It is actually pretty convenient to order something and have it ready for you on the shelf when you walk in. You can get it at fccgreene.org/catalystapp!
“Prayparing” for Guests God Wants to Send: Sermon Series Invite Cards
In light of declaring 2026 “The Year We Recaptured the Value of Inviting People to Church,” I wanted to recap the idea and thinking behind Invite Cards, which we’re going to be pushing every week. For many years we’ve handed out Invite Cards for the 2 weeks prior to new sermon series, to remind us to invite others to join us. It’s part of Helping People Find and Follow Jesus, and it’s a reminder that we are responsible for evangelizing our community and world. So grab a card on your way out, (or one may be handed to you), put in your wallet/purse, and pray for an opportunity to invite someone. You’d be surprised at how often such opportunities arise when you’re praying for and on the lookout for them!
Unless otherwise linked below, details for the following info are in the above link to the previous Scott’s Thoughts (ST). You’ll need to scroll a smidge to get to the right place.
- “Baby Celebrations and Parents Dedications” – Did you know we have something like a dozen new babies in the last year and another dozen on the way?! Details linked above include our basic policy as well as a new related GQA—a “Great Questions Answered” (fccgreene.org/gqa) post I write to answer theological questions and hot topics.
- A Few Great Questions Answered (GQA) Updates – Pretty much what the heading says—just some updates: “Why Don’t We Highlight Things Like Deaths, Holidays, Birthdays, or National Events in our Worship Services?” is new and the first few sections of this old GQA named “What Should I Look for in a Church and When Should I Leave One?” have been revamped for better reading flow and more practical “What to Look For” and “When to Leave.” FWIW, I have not forgotten that GQA, am working to turn it into a GQA Booklet, and am almost ready with Essential Mark #3, “Christ-Centered Worship,” which has been simmering for a few months now and is almost ready. (CPs, talk to me re Pastoral Prayer as it relates to “Christ-Centered Worship”. We’ll see if any of them actually read ST.) Also, while it’s not a GQA, there’s a little blurb below re “Sabbaticals: A Biblical Season of Rest and Renewal to Sustain Healthy Long-Term Pastoral Ministry”. Also, part 2, though also not a GQA, in light of the Elders and Campus Pastors doing some evaluation of the missionaries and organizations we support from our budget, I’ve included a little blurb below re “Discernment Isn’t Optional: Why We Vet Who We Support,” y’know, for the nerds or anyone who cares about whether we’re doing things with integrity—novel idea.
- Tommy’s Sabbatical, Oct 26-Dec 21 – Just a friendly reminder. More detail in the last ST, but as previously noted, also some additional thoughts later on in this ST.
- FCC Residents Partnering with Longview Ranch (LVR) Live Bold Interns – Just a quick little blurb of some cool emerging partnership.
- “The Cure for Political Violence and Cultural Decay is Not Politics” – Some extended response to the recent Charlie Kirk assassination to communicate clarity about the church’s mission. There’s also a little follow-up blurb below: “Theology is Pre-Political”.
- “Dad’s Daily(ish) Devos”: Emerging Use and Example – What would our community and families look like if more Dads sent their kids something from the Word everyday(ish)?
Do You Know What’s Going On at FCC? – You Can Always Find Out at fccgreene.org/news!
Granted, there’s too much for any one person to keep up with it all—myself included—but there’s a ton of cool stuff going on that many probably don’t know about like:
- Catalyst Donates to Exodus 14 Recovery Ministry
- Christmas Giving Project: Colombia Church Plant
- Two H7 Video Stories of FCCers talking about their faith journey
- Jesse & Sophie Bentley (Missionaries we Support) Celebrate 20 Years Serving in Spain
- Multiple H7 Stories about people diving into the Word, serving, getting married, and growing in the Lord
- Tons of the “Usual” Prayer Lists, Pulse Announcement Videos and Weekly Emails, and Posts about Programs, Events, etc.
(Still Relatively New) Series Guides
As part of our ongoing work to help our people grow in God’s Word, resource our Life Group leaders and participants well, and develop biblical systems that scale for multiple locations (which sounds hifalutin’ but is an existing and emerging need), we started with the Ruth series and made available a number of additional study helps. (And incidentally, increased our copier and paper budget by at least 15%!) The latest Series Guide, which will hopefully-be-exceptional-for-its-jumpiness, includes the next 7 sermons from Nov 24, 2024 through Jan 4, 2026: 2 sermons from New City Catechism, 3 from Advent: Behold the King, 1 from New City Catechism, and a one-off at the beginning of 2026 called “The 7 Habits as Ordinary Means of Grace”. Then we’ll finish the last 10 weeks of Hebrews (and the Series Guide will be more… serial.) You can get to the most recent Series Guide at fccgreene.org/2025winterseriesguide. Newly implemented feature: Family Advent Lessons. Starting with our last section of Hebrews, we will begin including the Kids Min Parent Pages with accompanying lessons and activities for families!
Our First “Vision Bash” Was A Success!
Yes, ‘twas a smidge long—duly noted for next year—but incorporating some upcoming 2026 budget and vision plans, and an appearance from our Elders into the usual food, fellowship, and frivolity made for a great evening! We’re putting together some words, pics, and vids for a recap, so be on the lookout! Also, as mentioned there, here are a few emerging future vision plans we mentioned that you can be praying about and helping contribute toward making happen:
- Strengthen Local/Global Partnerships & Train Leaders – Colombia Church Plant; Catalyst Expansion; Local Churches Pulpit Supply Team (mostly Interns/Residents); More Leadership Development: Longview Live Bold Interns, Bible Study & Teaching Workshop, FCC Residents (fccgreene.org/residents) and Seminarians (currently over a dozen taking classes through our partnership with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary)
- Producing & Integrating More “Locally Known & Trusted” Biblical/Theological Resources – Things like Series Guides, GQAs, blurbs about why we vet our missionaries, etc., are part of becoming a long-term scalable ministry structure that outlives us.
- FT Exec Dir of Operations – Turns out my executive admin competencies don’t extend forever because the Elders have planned, mid-2026, to hire Carl DelSorbo, who is theoretically better than me at administrative detail—as if?! :o)
- Jan 2027 (?) Launch of Campus #4 – “1 Service Everywhere” has meant critical mass that means learning to launch leaner and lighter than we’re used to... and we’ve been working behind the scenes for the last 6 months to prep. We’ve been to Campus Pastor Assessment this past summer and are happy to announce that... Travis Chapman will be our 4th Campus Pastor! Btw, if you wanna give directly to our Multisite Fund, to help us toward launching the 4th campus, go to fccgreene.org/give, click on online or text giving, and choose the “Multisite Fund” pull-down option. You’ll hear us mention this in the coming year, along with more detail about how to be involved in praying or outreach events.
- 2026 = The Year We Recaptured the Value of Inviting People to Church – Pretty much self-explanatory. See “‘Prayparing’ for Guests” below.
Recent Workshop at Longview Camps & Retreats – “In Awe of Your Words: The Power and Freedom of Teaching and Trusting the Text”
Last year we had around 30 participants, and this year we had 50, including a few Life Groups leaders and participants. We talked about how proper biblical interpretation is to “Make the Argument” the text is making, which involves 5 steps (the first of which is hairiest.)
- Wrestle it down. (“PaSToR” the Word: Pray, Study, Think-Slash-Write, and Reflect, which involves lots of important Hermeneutical Presuppositions & Principles for Wrestling It Down that I’m leaving out here.)
- Apply with principles.
- Leave enough whitespace.
- Embody it boldly.
- Trust its power.
Colombia Mission Trips – Nov, 2025 & Jan, 2026
Did you know that two FCC couples—Mike/Amanda Schubert and Matthew/Sheila Nasekos—are currently in Colombia encouraging and training church leaders and missionaries?! They’re doing work similar to the crew that went a year ago, in November 2024 (see H7 Story here) as well as visiting and encouraging Martin Sanders, a missionary we’ve supported there for some 25+ years. Be praying for our work there because we’ve got some cool emerging opportunities we’ll be telling you about hopefully very soon. Also, for this year’s Christmas Giving Project, we’re collecting funds for the ongoing work there in Colombia as there is a group going in January and we are hoping to support the church plant there with monthly budgeted giving. We are already helping fund the seminary education of the pastor and are looking into being able to do much more in a pretty cool way—will tell more when we can.
Catalyst Has An App!
You can order on it and receive loyalty points and discounts, just like other such apps. It’s pretty cool, actually, and worth downloading. I mean, it’s your church’s coffee shop—and it has its own app! Seriously, it would really help us if you would use it, tell others, stand on the street corner soliciting engagement in it, sing its praises on the socials, and basically make a good 25% of your life nothing but helping us make the Catalyst app the biggest thing that’s happened in Greeneville coffee history! Well at least please download it, use it, and maybe even tell others? That would be really helpful. It is actually pretty convenient to order something and have it ready for you on the shelf when you walk in. You can get it at fccgreene.org/catalystapp!
“Prayparing” for Guests God Wants to Send: Sermon Series Invite Cards
In light of declaring 2026 “The Year We Recaptured the Value of Inviting People to Church,” I wanted to recap the idea and thinking behind Invite Cards, which we’re going to be pushing every week. For many years we’ve handed out Invite Cards for the 2 weeks prior to new sermon series, to remind us to invite others to join us. It’s part of Helping People Find and Follow Jesus, and it’s a reminder that we are responsible for evangelizing our community and world. So grab a card on your way out, (or one may be handed to you), put in your wallet/purse, and pray for an opportunity to invite someone. You’d be surprised at how often such opportunities arise when you’re praying for and on the lookout for them!
Sabbaticals: A Biblical Season of Rest and Renewal to Sustain Healthy Long-Term Pastoral Ministry
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God’s Rhythm of Work and Rest
From the beginning, God established and modeled a pattern of work and rest not because He needed renewal but because humanity would. After six days of creation, “God rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done” (Genesis 2:2-3). Built into creation itself is the reminder that God, not human strength or ingenuity, sustains the world. Israel’s weekly Sabbath, along with the sabbatical year of rest for the land (Leviticus 25) and frequent associated feasts, trained God’s people to cease striving and trust His provision.
That biblical pattern teaches us that rest is an act of faith. The command is not merely to stop working—as if inactivity were the goal—but to actively submit ourselves to the sovereignty of a God who never slumbers (Psalm 121:4) and yet keeps the stars aligned (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3). Yet, Pastors whose worship is work and whose ministry is a calling are not exempt from this truth. Frankly, because our Pastors typically work considerably more than a routine work week, establishing healthy long-term ministry patterns that reflect God’s original design is a constant struggle.
Jesus’ Example and the Call to Rest
Jesus Himself taught and modeled purposeful withdrawal as a God-given gift of rest, for “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Though His ministry was urgent and intense, in His humanity, He needed rest, for “He would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16). When the disciples were overwhelmed, He invited them, “Come away… and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). And the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9), a rest that is not idle escape but renewed dependence on Christ’s finished work.
Fruitful ministry does not come from unbroken labor but from abiding in the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) whose Spirit is the real power behind our work/ministry (2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Colossians 1:28-29) Rest is not optional for those who serve; it is a means God provides to sustain endurance, humility, faithfulness, and joy.
Why FCC Greene Practices Sabbaticals
Our church is committed to sustaining healthy long-term pastoral ministry, especially in light of the pace of weekly pastoral work. Most weeks involve 6 plus days of 9-10 hour days that include teaching/preaching preparation, counseling, crisis care, leadership oversight, discipleship, and the spiritual weight of shepherding a growing multisite church. Biblical rest is not a luxury; it is necessary for the long-term spiritual health of both pastors and the congregations they shepherd.
For this reason, our Elders have instituted the following sabbatical rhythm for our Lead and Campus Pastors:
Our Lead Pastor receives an 8-week sabbatical every 5 years.
Each Campus Pastor receives an 8-week sabbatical every 7 years.
One sabbatical occurs each year, ideally not within 6 months of each other. This helps ensure the body is always shepherded well.
The church budgets $3,000 per year to fund each sabbatical, ensuring it remains sustainable and planned.
This is not a vacation; it is a biblically patterned season intentionally set apart for worship, prayer, study, reflection, and renewal. It can involve visiting and studying other churches’ ministries, retreats and conferences, taking a class, or reading and writing (which is part of Scott’s plan for his 2026 sabbatical!) While the combination of the above will change with each Pastor, it should always include some focused time with spouse and family. A rested shepherd leads more faithfully, preaches more clearly, and serves more joyfully for years to come.
What This Season Means for Our Church
As a church family, we joyfully support our Pastor as he enters this time of sabbatical. Sabbaticals affirm something essential: that God Himself shepherds His church and that His work continues even when our hands pause. They remind us that the church is built not on one personality or one preacher but on Christ alone.
During this season, the Pastor will step back from preaching and leadership responsibilities to pursue deep rest in the Lord. Meanwhile, pastoral care and leadership will continue fully through our Elders and the rest of our Staff, who will carry preaching, shepherding, counseling, campus leadership, and week-to-week ministry needs. This shared responsibility is a reminder that Christ has given His church many gifted leaders so that no one voice or role becomes indispensable (Ephesians 4:11-12).
We would ask you to pray that God would refresh our Pastors’ souls, strengthen their families, and deepen their joy in the gospel. And as always, we encourage each member to continue serving faithfully, remembering that “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
A Closing Word of Encouragement: Christ Our Rest and Strength
Sabbaticals are a grace from God, rooted in Scripture, practiced throughout church history, and essential for sustaining healthy long-term pastoral ministry. They help us remember that Christ Himself is our rest, our Redeemer, and our strength (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-11). As we honor these rhythms for our leaders, we collectively declare our trust in the God who leads us, sustains us, and promises to complete the work He began among us (Philippians 1:6).
For posterity and clarity, the latest version of this blurb can be found here.
From the beginning, God established and modeled a pattern of work and rest not because He needed renewal but because humanity would. After six days of creation, “God rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done” (Genesis 2:2-3). Built into creation itself is the reminder that God, not human strength or ingenuity, sustains the world. Israel’s weekly Sabbath, along with the sabbatical year of rest for the land (Leviticus 25) and frequent associated feasts, trained God’s people to cease striving and trust His provision.
That biblical pattern teaches us that rest is an act of faith. The command is not merely to stop working—as if inactivity were the goal—but to actively submit ourselves to the sovereignty of a God who never slumbers (Psalm 121:4) and yet keeps the stars aligned (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:3). Yet, Pastors whose worship is work and whose ministry is a calling are not exempt from this truth. Frankly, because our Pastors typically work considerably more than a routine work week, establishing healthy long-term ministry patterns that reflect God’s original design is a constant struggle.
Jesus’ Example and the Call to Rest
Jesus Himself taught and modeled purposeful withdrawal as a God-given gift of rest, for “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Though His ministry was urgent and intense, in His humanity, He needed rest, for “He would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Luke 5:16). When the disciples were overwhelmed, He invited them, “Come away… and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). And the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9), a rest that is not idle escape but renewed dependence on Christ’s finished work.
Fruitful ministry does not come from unbroken labor but from abiding in the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) whose Spirit is the real power behind our work/ministry (2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Colossians 1:28-29) Rest is not optional for those who serve; it is a means God provides to sustain endurance, humility, faithfulness, and joy.
Why FCC Greene Practices Sabbaticals
Our church is committed to sustaining healthy long-term pastoral ministry, especially in light of the pace of weekly pastoral work. Most weeks involve 6 plus days of 9-10 hour days that include teaching/preaching preparation, counseling, crisis care, leadership oversight, discipleship, and the spiritual weight of shepherding a growing multisite church. Biblical rest is not a luxury; it is necessary for the long-term spiritual health of both pastors and the congregations they shepherd.
For this reason, our Elders have instituted the following sabbatical rhythm for our Lead and Campus Pastors:
Our Lead Pastor receives an 8-week sabbatical every 5 years.
Each Campus Pastor receives an 8-week sabbatical every 7 years.
One sabbatical occurs each year, ideally not within 6 months of each other. This helps ensure the body is always shepherded well.
The church budgets $3,000 per year to fund each sabbatical, ensuring it remains sustainable and planned.
This is not a vacation; it is a biblically patterned season intentionally set apart for worship, prayer, study, reflection, and renewal. It can involve visiting and studying other churches’ ministries, retreats and conferences, taking a class, or reading and writing (which is part of Scott’s plan for his 2026 sabbatical!) While the combination of the above will change with each Pastor, it should always include some focused time with spouse and family. A rested shepherd leads more faithfully, preaches more clearly, and serves more joyfully for years to come.
What This Season Means for Our Church
As a church family, we joyfully support our Pastor as he enters this time of sabbatical. Sabbaticals affirm something essential: that God Himself shepherds His church and that His work continues even when our hands pause. They remind us that the church is built not on one personality or one preacher but on Christ alone.
During this season, the Pastor will step back from preaching and leadership responsibilities to pursue deep rest in the Lord. Meanwhile, pastoral care and leadership will continue fully through our Elders and the rest of our Staff, who will carry preaching, shepherding, counseling, campus leadership, and week-to-week ministry needs. This shared responsibility is a reminder that Christ has given His church many gifted leaders so that no one voice or role becomes indispensable (Ephesians 4:11-12).
We would ask you to pray that God would refresh our Pastors’ souls, strengthen their families, and deepen their joy in the gospel. And as always, we encourage each member to continue serving faithfully, remembering that “unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
A Closing Word of Encouragement: Christ Our Rest and Strength
Sabbaticals are a grace from God, rooted in Scripture, practiced throughout church history, and essential for sustaining healthy long-term pastoral ministry. They help us remember that Christ Himself is our rest, our Redeemer, and our strength (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-11). As we honor these rhythms for our leaders, we collectively declare our trust in the God who leads us, sustains us, and promises to complete the work He began among us (Philippians 1:6).
For posterity and clarity, the latest version of this blurb can be found here.
Discernment Isn’t Optional: Why We Vet Who We Support
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(1) The Church Must Guard the Gospel and Maintain Unity in the Truth
Guarding the gospel requires rejecting error and ensuring unity in the truth—the only kind that actually exists. Supporting a ministry is spiritual partnership and Scripture forbids partnering with falsehood. Evaluation is a biblical necessity for preserving gospel clarity and doctrinal integrity. It does not create division; it reveals whether biblical unity actually exists.
(2) The Church Must Test, Commend, and Shepherd Those it Sends and Supports
Testing, commending, and evaluating workers is part of how elders shepherd the flock and guard against wolves. A missions questionnaire is simply carrying out biblical processes of examination, endorsement, reporting, and doctrinal protection.
(3) The Church Must Steward God’s Resources with Integrity and Discernment
Because giving is worship and stewardship, the church must support ministries that demonstrate doctrinal faithfulness, accountability, and fruitfulness. Uninformed or indiscriminate giving is unfaithful stewardship.
(4) The Church Must Practice Spiritual Discernment as a Mark of Maturity
Discernment is not suspicion—it’s Christian maturity. Evaluating ministries trains the church to think biblically and act wisely.
Conclusion: Even the World Knows Accountability is Wisdom—How Much More the Church
Biblical discernment is not unique to the church; it reflects wisdom practiced in virtually every sector of life.
If human institutions understand the necessity of evaluation, stewardship, and alignment before partnership, how much more should Christ’s church—the steward of the gospel—exercise careful, biblical discernment in those it sends, endorses, and supports.
For posterity and clarity, the latest version of this blurb can be found here.
- Galatians 1:8-9 – Paul warns against supporting “another gospel.” Evaluating partners is obedience to this command.
- 1 Timothy 3:15 – The church is the “pillar and buttress of the truth.” Supporting missionaries means upholding a message; therefore, we must ensure it is the true gospel.
- Titus 1:9-11 – Leaders must both “give instruction in sound doctrine” and “rebuke those who contradict it.” Vetting missionaries is a corporate extension of this responsibility.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Gospel partnership requires doctrinal unity; we cannot be “unequally yoked.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14 – Churches must withdraw from those who refuse to live and teach “in accord with the tradition” received from the apostles.
- Romans 16:17 – Believers must “watch out for” and avoid those promoting doctrine “contrary to the one you received.”
- 2 John 7-11 – Churches must not welcome or financially support teachers who do not bring biblical doctrine about Christ, in part so we “may not lose what we have worked for.”
Guarding the gospel requires rejecting error and ensuring unity in the truth—the only kind that actually exists. Supporting a ministry is spiritual partnership and Scripture forbids partnering with falsehood. Evaluation is a biblical necessity for preserving gospel clarity and doctrinal integrity. It does not create division; it reveals whether biblical unity actually exists.
(2) The Church Must Test, Commend, and Shepherd Those it Sends and Supports
- Matthew 7:15 – Shepherds must guard against wolves and distortions of truth.
- Acts 6:1-6 – The church chooses qualified, Spirit-filled men for ministry; vetting is part of biblical ministry.
- Acts 13:1-3 – The church sends Paul and Barnabas after proven character and doctrine are known.
- Acts 14:26-28 – Missionaries return to the sending church and report. Reporting presupposes evaluation.
- Acts 15 – The early church assesses teaching, clarifies doctrine, and sends approved representatives.
- Romans 16:1-2 – Commendation letters reflect a formal process of recognizing trustworthy workers.
- 1 Corinthians 16:3-4 – Written commendation and accreditation protect gospel work.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 – Paul sends vetted coworkers with explicit endorsement.
- 1 Timothy 3 – Leaders must be examined before being appointed—“let them… be tested first.”
- 1 Timothy 5:22 – “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” The NT warns against quick endorsement.
- Titus 1 – Elders must be doctrinally sound and able to guard against error.
- Hebrews 13:17 – Leaders will give an account for how they protected the church.
- 1 Peter 5:1-3 – Oversight requires guarding from harmful influences.
- Ezekiel 34:1-10 – God condemns shepherds who fail to protect His people.
- Acts 20:28-31 – Shepherds must guard against wolves and distortions of truth.
Testing, commending, and evaluating workers is part of how elders shepherd the flock and guard against wolves. A missions questionnaire is simply carrying out biblical processes of examination, endorsement, reporting, and doctrinal protection.
(3) The Church Must Steward God’s Resources with Integrity and Discernment
- Matthew 25:14-30 – The parable of the talents establishes accountability for how resources are deployed.
- Luke 16:10-12 – Jesus teaches that faithfulness with “unrighteous wealth” reveals readiness for “true riches.” Financial stewardship is directly tied to spiritual responsibility.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – “[I]t is required of stewards that they be found faithful,” which includes stewarding funds given for missions.
- 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 – Paul instructs planned, accountable, and representative-managed giving, showing financial stewardship must be orderly and trustworthy.
- 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 – Paul insists on financial practices that maintain integrity and avoid blame: “We aim at what is honorable… in the Lord’s sight” and “in the sight of man.”
- Philippians 4:15-18 – Giving is worship. Their support is a “fragrant offering” and “sacrifice,” showing that giving is vertical worship and therefore must be informed, discerning, and aligned with true, fruit-bearing gospel ministry.
Because giving is worship and stewardship, the church must support ministries that demonstrate doctrinal faithfulness, accountability, and fruitfulness. Uninformed or indiscriminate giving is unfaithful stewardship.
(4) The Church Must Practice Spiritual Discernment as a Mark of Maturity
- Proverbs 14:15 – The simple believe everything; the prudent evaluate carefully.
- Matthew 7:6 – Jesus warns against undiscerning generosity: giving “what is holy” or “pearls” to those who will not receive them rightly requires discernment, not naïveté.
- Acts 17:11 – Bereans examined everything by Scripture; this is praised as noble.
- Philippians 1:9-10 – Christians must “approve what is excellent.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 – “Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” Discernment is a non-negotiable Christian discipline.
- Hebrews 5:14 – Mature believers have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish good from evil.
Discernment is not suspicion—it’s Christian maturity. Evaluating ministries trains the church to think biblically and act wisely.
Conclusion: Even the World Knows Accountability is Wisdom—How Much More the Church
Biblical discernment is not unique to the church; it reflects wisdom practiced in virtually every sector of life.
- Employers vet hires because representation matters.
- Donors research nonprofits before giving to ensure values alignment.
- Schools accredit institutions to guarantee standards and integrity.
- Governments certify contractors to protect the public from harm.
- Financial investors require due diligence before committing resources.
- Hospitals credential surgeons to ensure competency.
- Universities review research proposals for ethical and methodological soundness.
If human institutions understand the necessity of evaluation, stewardship, and alignment before partnership, how much more should Christ’s church—the steward of the gospel—exercise careful, biblical discernment in those it sends, endorses, and supports.
For posterity and clarity, the latest version of this blurb can be found here.
Miscellaneous Musings
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Theology is Pre-Political
Theology is upstream of politics. Always has been. In the church, we begin not with human reason or political theory but with divine revelation. This is why—contrary to what some Christians improperly decry as “third wayism”—many churches that refuse to focus on partisan politics are not lacking courage but being wise(r than many know. And believe me, I occasionally believe there is a “third wayism” that is a functional cop-out. The church claiming to be pre-political and a more foundational truth than politics isn’t one of them. (See “ The Cure for Political Violence and Cultural Decay is Not Politics”.) Like anything, define terms well first before assuming something falls into a certain category.) Anyhoo...
Because God’s Word is self-authenticating and sufficient to interpret creation (2 Timothy 3:16-17), when we preach truth from Scripture and properly apply it to life, we are providing the theological infrastructure that applies to every sphere of life—family, church, and state (Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:16-17). As Abraham Kuyper said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” So, for example, when we teach and preach about “creation order”—which we have been for a long time with our kids, youth, and adults—we are teaching a pre-political truth about the nature of sociocultural structure and moral reality itself based on how God made the world (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-24, e.g.), and political policies oriented toward human flourishing will properly account for that.
Because the Bible defines reality before any ideology ever can, politics can only rearrange what theology declares is true. Therefore, any church that faithfully teaches and applies the whole counsel of Scripture is making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), reminding them that theology—God’s revealed truth—is always first. Frankly, biblically-well-informed Christians are better prepared for political thinking than any political action group could ever hope to make them.
Why We Don’t Laud as the World Lauds
For years I’ve noticed a difference in how the world falls over itself to applaud the smallest sacrifices and yet, in the church, we are slow and plodding—even hesitant—to heap too much praise or encouragement on one another. Outside the church, volunteers are vaunted as saintly for once-weekly two-hour contributions, which, frankly, seems excessive. I’ve always wondered why the difference.
Some of it is the nature of humble Christian service; overwhelmingly, it is unseen and unplatformed. There are no 24-hour streams or stations following around Christians who are just plain being faithful, and as soon as any such thing goes viral it’s monetized and commodified into the world’s systems.
Whether it’s the Roman Senate erecting marble arches for generals or Hollywood handing out gold statues under stage lights, the world has always loved the sound of its own applause. Ancient laudationes and modern acceptance speeches share much the same heart—ingratiating praise meant to elevate the praiser more than the praise. Fawning flattery with a mirror turned toward clicks.
But in the church, something feels different. When believers hesitate to heap praise on one another, it’s not coldness—it’s calibration. We know that every good gift and every act of faithfulness has a single Source (James 1:17). To praise another Christian well is to trace the line of grace back to its Giver. That’s why Paul could commend churches, coworkers, and converts—all while thanking God for them (Romans 1:8; Philippians 1:3).
The world’s laud is self-referential, a trade of admiration for status. Ours is derivative, a reflection of divine light on human faces. God is praiseworthy in Himself; we are praiseworthy only by participation in Him.
So when the church applauds, it sounds a little different. Less spectacle, more sincerity. Less “look at us,” more “look what God has done.” We don’t laud as the world lauds because our praise isn’t currency—it’s confession. The world applauds to be seen. The church lauds to make Christ seen.
A Couple Thoughts Re Your Spiritual Welfare and Teachers—Outside and Inside the Body
In a world where many of our own people seem to be discipled by algorithms and platform more than their own church family, I feel the need to say two things about spiritual leadership and teaching for how they affect our spiritual welfare.
First, be very careful whom you trust to be your teacher because a platform is not proof. Scripture calls us to examine the Scriptures “too see if these things were so” (Acts 17:12), to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), to “watch out for false teachers” (Matthew 7:15), and to honor those who keep watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17, which assumes “your leaders” are known to you, cf. v 7). It’s unbiblical and unsafe to hand over your spiritual care to people you don’t know and who aren’t under local church authority. A podcast, YouTube channel, or influencer may sound insightful, but they cannot love you, shepherd you, or correct you. Real discipleship happens in real relationship under the Word in a local body.
Second, for those within FCC who teach or lead in any setting—Life Groups, re:gen, classes, or ministries—our goal is to move together under the same Word. Every week, multiple staff members work hard to align what we teach so the whole church, from babies to boomers, is growing in the same gospel direction (Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 3:16). When someone decides their material is better or takes a group off on tangents that ignore or contradict the chosen curriculum or sermon series, it causes confusion and fractures the unity we’re called to guard (Romans 16:17-18). So if that’s you, hear me clearly and, hopefully, kindly: please stop it, repent of doing your own thing, and get back in line with the teaching plan. I’m giving you a chance, right now, to redirect yourself quietly and graciously. If you’ve got questions or concerns, bring them to your elder or ministry leader—we’ll talk it through. But don’t sow division by freelancing doctrine or diverting attention from our church’s plan.
I take no joy in saying this, but it’s part of shepherding the flock God has entrusted to us. I love this church and hate seeing good people misled. The internet may offer endless teachers, but God designed the local church for your growth, correction, and protection. So stay rooted, stay teachable, and trust the Word to do the work (Acts 20:28; 2 Timothy 4:2-5).
Theology is upstream of politics. Always has been. In the church, we begin not with human reason or political theory but with divine revelation. This is why—contrary to what some Christians improperly decry as “third wayism”—many churches that refuse to focus on partisan politics are not lacking courage but being wise(r than many know. And believe me, I occasionally believe there is a “third wayism” that is a functional cop-out. The church claiming to be pre-political and a more foundational truth than politics isn’t one of them. (See “ The Cure for Political Violence and Cultural Decay is Not Politics”.) Like anything, define terms well first before assuming something falls into a certain category.) Anyhoo...
Because God’s Word is self-authenticating and sufficient to interpret creation (2 Timothy 3:16-17), when we preach truth from Scripture and properly apply it to life, we are providing the theological infrastructure that applies to every sphere of life—family, church, and state (Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:16-17). As Abraham Kuyper said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!’” So, for example, when we teach and preach about “creation order”—which we have been for a long time with our kids, youth, and adults—we are teaching a pre-political truth about the nature of sociocultural structure and moral reality itself based on how God made the world (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:18-24, e.g.), and political policies oriented toward human flourishing will properly account for that.
Because the Bible defines reality before any ideology ever can, politics can only rearrange what theology declares is true. Therefore, any church that faithfully teaches and applies the whole counsel of Scripture is making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), reminding them that theology—God’s revealed truth—is always first. Frankly, biblically-well-informed Christians are better prepared for political thinking than any political action group could ever hope to make them.
Why We Don’t Laud as the World Lauds
For years I’ve noticed a difference in how the world falls over itself to applaud the smallest sacrifices and yet, in the church, we are slow and plodding—even hesitant—to heap too much praise or encouragement on one another. Outside the church, volunteers are vaunted as saintly for once-weekly two-hour contributions, which, frankly, seems excessive. I’ve always wondered why the difference.
Some of it is the nature of humble Christian service; overwhelmingly, it is unseen and unplatformed. There are no 24-hour streams or stations following around Christians who are just plain being faithful, and as soon as any such thing goes viral it’s monetized and commodified into the world’s systems.
Whether it’s the Roman Senate erecting marble arches for generals or Hollywood handing out gold statues under stage lights, the world has always loved the sound of its own applause. Ancient laudationes and modern acceptance speeches share much the same heart—ingratiating praise meant to elevate the praiser more than the praise. Fawning flattery with a mirror turned toward clicks.
But in the church, something feels different. When believers hesitate to heap praise on one another, it’s not coldness—it’s calibration. We know that every good gift and every act of faithfulness has a single Source (James 1:17). To praise another Christian well is to trace the line of grace back to its Giver. That’s why Paul could commend churches, coworkers, and converts—all while thanking God for them (Romans 1:8; Philippians 1:3).
The world’s laud is self-referential, a trade of admiration for status. Ours is derivative, a reflection of divine light on human faces. God is praiseworthy in Himself; we are praiseworthy only by participation in Him.
So when the church applauds, it sounds a little different. Less spectacle, more sincerity. Less “look at us,” more “look what God has done.” We don’t laud as the world lauds because our praise isn’t currency—it’s confession. The world applauds to be seen. The church lauds to make Christ seen.
A Couple Thoughts Re Your Spiritual Welfare and Teachers—Outside and Inside the Body
In a world where many of our own people seem to be discipled by algorithms and platform more than their own church family, I feel the need to say two things about spiritual leadership and teaching for how they affect our spiritual welfare.
First, be very careful whom you trust to be your teacher because a platform is not proof. Scripture calls us to examine the Scriptures “too see if these things were so” (Acts 17:12), to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), to “watch out for false teachers” (Matthew 7:15), and to honor those who keep watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17, which assumes “your leaders” are known to you, cf. v 7). It’s unbiblical and unsafe to hand over your spiritual care to people you don’t know and who aren’t under local church authority. A podcast, YouTube channel, or influencer may sound insightful, but they cannot love you, shepherd you, or correct you. Real discipleship happens in real relationship under the Word in a local body.
Second, for those within FCC who teach or lead in any setting—Life Groups, re:gen, classes, or ministries—our goal is to move together under the same Word. Every week, multiple staff members work hard to align what we teach so the whole church, from babies to boomers, is growing in the same gospel direction (Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 3:16). When someone decides their material is better or takes a group off on tangents that ignore or contradict the chosen curriculum or sermon series, it causes confusion and fractures the unity we’re called to guard (Romans 16:17-18). So if that’s you, hear me clearly and, hopefully, kindly: please stop it, repent of doing your own thing, and get back in line with the teaching plan. I’m giving you a chance, right now, to redirect yourself quietly and graciously. If you’ve got questions or concerns, bring them to your elder or ministry leader—we’ll talk it through. But don’t sow division by freelancing doctrine or diverting attention from our church’s plan.
I take no joy in saying this, but it’s part of shepherding the flock God has entrusted to us. I love this church and hate seeing good people misled. The internet may offer endless teachers, but God designed the local church for your growth, correction, and protection. So stay rooted, stay teachable, and trust the Word to do the work (Acts 20:28; 2 Timothy 4:2-5).
Posted in Scotts Thoughts