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Aug 27
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Accountability in the Body of Christ

By Accountability, Church, Discipleship No Comments

“You cannot continue as a member of this church while you are actively unfaithful to your wife.”
“You cannot remain a member in good standing if you continually sow discord in the body.”
“You cannot deny the bodily resurrection of the saints and call this your church home.”

These are just a few examples of the real conversations I have had over the years in an attempt to reinforce our congregational commitment to truth in the body of Christ. Each one represents a difficult but necessary effort of accountability among believers. I realize that words like accountability and discipline are not popular today, largely because they feel harsh and unloving. Perhaps some of our confusion stems from the popular misinterpretation of Jesus’ command to judge not lest you be judged (Matt. 7:1).

Yet, Scripture unequivocally instructs members of the local church to restore those who stray in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Our Lord reminds us to judge ourselves first and more severely than others, precisely because we will need to make judgments about others at times (Matt. 7:3-5). Jesus also outlines the necessary steps which ensure that discipline within the church is fair and redemptive (Matt. 18:15-20).

When the church at Corinth celebrated the sexual deviance of a member, the Apostle Paul rebuked their arrogance before calling for the man’s excommunication from the fellowship (1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 7, 13). Their efforts to be affirming, accepting, and inclusive were the opposite of God’s expectation, insulting the Savior who washed, sanctified, and justified them (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Likewise, one of the greater weaknesses of modern Christianity is the reckless insistence that the acceptance of bad behavior is an expression of love.

The broader principle Paul offers believers today is that we should not “associate with a so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler (1 Cor. 5:11).” Note the emphasis is on those who parade themselves as Christ followers. Accountability is God’s prescription within the church, not outside it.

Christians are not called to judge unbelievers (1 Cor. 5:9) knowing that they are outside of God’s grace and recipients of divine judgment (1 Cor. 5:13). Instead, we should befriend non-Christians, pray for them, and continually seek to share the good news of the gospel (Matt. 5:13-15; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Tragically, we often invert these principles. Far too many believers are guilty of judging those outside the church whom God wants us to reach while ignoring those inside the church whom God wants us to judge. We are to evangelize the former while preserving the integrity of the latter.

The difference, you see, is one of expectation. We should expect unbelievers to live in wickedness, openly defying the Lord’s commandments. Those who are dead in trespasses and sins will walk according to the course of this world (Eph. 2:1-2). The standard for professing believers is much higher, though, because of the transformative work of the Spirit who dwells in us (John 14:16-21).

So why does the Lord require accountability among His people?

Of all the reasons given in Scripture, the opportunity for repentance is perhaps the most persuasive. Without mincing words, Paul insisted that delivering the immoral man to Satan “for the destruction of his flesh” was the best hope for the salvation of his spirit (1 Cor. 5:5). Clearly, the goal was not public shame, but eternal repentance and salvation. If this professing believer was unsaved, he might come to the faith. Or, if he was simply a wayward, prodigal son, he would assuredly turn from his wickedness. Either way, the goal of holding him accountable for his actions was restoration not retaliation.

What requires accountability? And when should a congregation exercise discipline?

Albert Mohler offers three helpful categories that would justify turning a member out of the church. First, are matters of doctrinal fidelity. Put simply, we are not free to believe whatever we want to believe while remaining part of Christ’s body. Those who do not abide in the teachings of Jesus do not have God (2 John 9). You cannot, for example, deny that the Son is God in human flesh, that the Trinity exists, or that salvation is by grace through faith and call yourself a Christian. These are heretical doctrines that put people outside of the faith.

Second, are matters of morality, or purity of life issues. Here, we are not free to live however we choose and continue as a member of the Lord’s church. When crafting a picture of unrighteousness, Paul includes fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, the effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers as those in unbelief (1 Cor. 6:9-10). While the list is not exhaustive, the point is that these are behaviors God saves people out of, not lifestyles we should remain in (1 Cor. 6:12).

Third, are matters of unity. No congregant is free to cause division within the church. Scripture admonishes us to keep our eyes on those who cause dissensions (Rom. 16:17) and to reject a factious man after a first and second warning (Titus 3:10-11). Sitting by idly while schisms grow can cause significant damage in a congregation.

No matter the reason for the drastic actions that accountability sometimes requires, repentance and restoration must always be the goal. Measures like these are always meant to help and never hurt. Accountability matters in the local church.

Adam B. Dooley
August 27, 2025

Aug 20
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The Curious Calling of a Pastor

By Church, Ministry, Pastor No Comments

I love serving as a pastor.

Since a calling that came at age seventeen, the joy of my life has been training for and working in the local church in order to build up the body of Christ. With all sincerity, I cannot imagine doing anything else and I am grateful for the privilege of representing the Lord in this way. But, may I also make a small confession?

Serving as a pastor is not for the faint of heart.

Numerous scriptural metaphors offer a hint of the challenges that sometimes come with leading a congregation of believers. While admonishing the young pastor, Timothy, the Apostle Paul instructed his ministerial protégé to be strong in the grace of God (2 Tim. 2:1) like a soldier willing to suffer hardship (2 Tim. 2:3-4), like an athlete who competes according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5), and a like farmer who works hard to bring in a crop (2 Tim. 2:6). Taking his agricultural analogy further, Paul also reminded the Corinthians that some of the Lord’s servants plant and others water, but only God can grow His church (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

Elsewhere we read that pastors must at times lead with the gentleness of nursing mothers (2 Thess. 2:7) and the strength of instructive fathers (2 Thess. 2:11). They are to labor as workmen who do not need to be ashamed, having handled the word of truth accurately (2 Tim. 2:15). Perhaps the most vivid of all, ministers should operate as shepherds who guide, guard, and grow the sheep of God’s fold (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet. 5:1-4).

In addition, the New Testament utilizes the words elder, pastor, and bishop interchangeably to nuance the various functions that caring for the flock requires. These include providing a godly example (1 Pet. 5:3), preserving the doctrine and unity of the body (Acts 20:29-31), managing the operations of the church (1 Pet. 5:2), and equipping the saints to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). All of these must occur as the pastor devotes himself to prayer and the declaration of the Word (Acts 6:4). Tasks like these are challenging, even for the most mature Christ follower.

So, what is the key to thriving in ministry? And how can you encourage your spiritual leaders as they keep watch over your soul (Heb. 13:17)? Two reminders provide the necessary focus needed on both sides of the pulpit. When writing to believers in Corinth, Paul explained, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1).” These complementing descriptions provide both a word of reassurance to every pastor and a clarifying reminder for every believer under his care.

A servant is one who receives orders from his Master. In a similar way, a steward is one who manages the affairs of another. In both instances, the abiding principle for ministry is that a pastor must live with ambition for Christ; he must live in accountability to Christ; and he should long for approval from Christ. Though it is certainly counterintuitive, a minister is of better service to his congregants when he cares less about their opinions and more about what God thinks and knows. A supernatural accountability governs the life of every overseer in the church.

Those who lead by public consensus rather than personal conviction often miss the unbridled joy that comes with the stewardship of ministry. God’s workmen should seek to please Him no matter the consequences (Gal. 1:10, 1 Thess. 2:4-6).

I am not suggesting that pastors should be free from all human evaluations. Jesus clearly warned that there will be false prophets among us (Matt. 7:15-20); therefore, we should test every spirit by carefully examining the doctrine of teachers in the church (1 John 4:1-3). Like the Bereans in the book of Acts, we should judge the quality of all teaching by the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). Refuting those who contradict the Bible is of utmost importance (Titus 1:9).

Furthermore, turning a blind eye to the character standards required for ministry is a grave mistake (1. Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9). Congregations should rebuke pastors who live in open transgression as a demonstration of sin’s gravity and as a deterrent from it (1 Tim. 5:19-21).  Assuming, though, there is no doctrinal error or ethical breach, believers should rally around God’s chosen leaders with the conviction that each will make a unique contribution to the body of Christ (1 Cor. 3:4-11). Tragically, many of the difficulties of ministry are less about Scripture and more about personal preference.

So, pray for your pastor. Thank God for him. Follow his leadership. Realize the weight he carries. Love him. Appreciate him. Support him. Bless him. Be a friend to him. Honor him (1 Thess. 5:12-13, 1 Tim. 5:17).

And dear pastor, remember, only God has the final say about the quality and effectiveness of your ministry (1 Cor. 4:5). Do not grow weary in well doing because the harvest is coming (Gal. 6:9).

Adam B. Dooley
August 20, 2025

Aug 13
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Let’s Hear It For The Church!

By Christian Living, Church, Sanctification, Uncategorized No Comments

Every church has a unique story of how God birthed and blessed them over the years. The congregation I lead, Englewood Baptist in Jackson, Tennessee, was the fruit of heartfelt prayer and a compelling vision.

In 1944, a woman named Emma Weaver lost her husband at the tender age of 44, forcing her to move closer to her eldest son in the northern part of our county. As a devout Christian, Mama Weaver (as she was called) quickly noticed that there was no church in the area for her and her three children to attend. She began to pray, “Lord, I need a church for my family.”

Little did she know that at the same time, Dr. R.E. Guy, then pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church, had a vision to plant new works in growing communities around our city. Within a year, he identified 6.5 acres of land for a mission in the same area where Mama Weaver was praying. Soon, a small block chapel on the property became the meeting place for a new congregation. Over the next five years, they met, prayed, and worked the area as a mission of their mother church under Dr. Guy’s leadership.

Then, in 1950, Englewood incorporated as an autonomous congregation with fifty charter members. That first year, the new church constructed their second auditorium and began a trajectory of growth that has continued for 75 years now. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, the words of the psalmist resonate deep in my heart, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad (Ps. 126:3).” You simply cannot explain the story of our congregation apart from the power and blessing of God.

Observing this church anniversary has reminded me again of the importance of the local church. The Greek word ekklesia adorns the New Testament to describe the gathering of God’s people, or what we call the church. In the Septuagint (the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament), the same word describes the assembly of the nation Israel. Clearly, the emphasis is on the people who met together, not the building that housed them. In fact, there is no evidence of a church building before the 2nd century.

I am not suggesting that brick and mortar are unimportant. In many ways, the place where God’s people gather offers the first impression to the community about who they are. Yet, location and facilities alone do not make a church. Theologically, the church is the assembly of the Christ’s bride for the sole purpose of worshipping the Lord.

When describing the church at Corinth, for example, the Apostle Paul refers to them as “those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus” before identifying the people there as “saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). The idea is that a church is set apart for the Lord, in order to think, believe, and live differently than the world around them. Saints are those who are holy, both positionally because of the work of Christ on the cross and practically because of the continued work of sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Also of interest is the fact that these descriptions apply to the body of Corinth as a whole, not to individuals. In other words, they were set apart, together. They were the holy ones of God, together. In addition, the overwhelming Scriptural references to the church refer to single, local congregations rather than the universal church (all believers in all places). The implication is that the local church functions as a means to mature and grow our faith in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

One only needs to consider the abundance of New Testament admonitions which regulate our behavior toward one another in the body of Christ in order to appreciate the transformative impact of a local church. We are told to . . .

  • Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).
  • Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16).
  • Build up on another (Rom. 14:19).
  • Accept one another (Rom. 15:7).
  • Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14).
  • Care for one another (1 Cor. 12:25).
  • Greet one another (1 Cor. 16:20).
  • Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
  • Bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2).
  • Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32).
  • Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32).
  • Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
  • Pray for one another (James 5:16).
  • Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7).

I could keep going, but you see the point. Living out our faith fully is impossible apart from the local church. No wonder the writer of Hebrews instructs us not to forsake our assembly together with other believers (Heb. 10:25).

Reminders like these are essential in our highly individualistic age. If I may state it bluntly, we have lost our sense of congregational identity in American Christianity where some Christians change churches as much as they change their wardrobe and others opt out of church participation altogether. Some circles even boast, “I love Jesus, but I hate the church!”

The root of misguided practices and assertions like these is the notion of walking with God alone. How can I grow? How can God bless me? What do I need? What is God doing in my life? Though questions like these are not unimportant, they are but a fraction of the sanctification that we need. Spiritual growth is without question an individual reality, but it is also congregational process.  We simply cannot become the Christians God desires us to be apart from the life He wants us to live within a local assembly of believers.

Adam B. Dooley
August 13, 2025

Jul 01
Love0

Happy Birthday, USA!

By America, Christian Living, Church, Future, Persecution, Pluralism, Politics, Priorities, Separation Church and State No Comments

Every birthday is important. The passing of another year is worthy of celebration because each trip around the sun measures the gift of existing and all the blessings that come with it. For the United States, the Fourth of July marks the significance of our national beginning. After months of laboring over its final wording, the Continental Congress delivered the Declaration of Independence, completing the birth of our country. Every fireworks show, barbeque with friends, and national anthem rendition is a fitting observance of America’s birthday.

Remembering the spiritual groundswell that led to our rise is also an important part of our patriotic celebrations. Though some revisionists regularly dismiss Christianity’s profound influence on both the formation of the American colonies as well as their decisive break from Great Brittain, honest historians acknowledge the seminal guidance of biblical faith toward producing a constitutional republic. Of the settlers in our new land, 98% were Protestant believers (admittedly of different stripes), 2% were Catholic, and slightly over 2000 were Jewish.

Furthermore, the prevalent claim that most of America’s Founders were deists is verifiably false in light of their frequent appeals to divine providence. After recognizing endowed rights from our Creator, the Declaration of Independence concludes with “a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence.”

It was no accident that later, the very First Amendment codified into the US Constitution (1789) guaranteed the freedom of religion, insisting that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Sadly, many recklessly abuse this sacred right by insisting on the freedom from religion rather than freedom of religion. With frequent appeals to a separation between church and state, today’s common refrain is that faith has no place whatsoever in the public square.

Historically, Baptists have been the greatest proponents of the “the separation between church and state,” but few phrases suffer more misuse than this one. If you expose the atrocities of the abortion industry, offer a biblical definition of marriage and gender, or appeal to the morality of any public policy, many will quickly lament the mixture of religion and politics as if the two cannot coexist. Ironically, the loudest voices claiming that the church is becoming too political have no problem at all when their politics becomes more and more theological.

We need to acknowledge that the concept of “separation between church and state” is not found anywhere in our U.S. Constitution. Thomas Jefferson coined the phrase in 1802 while writing to Danbury Baptists in Connecticut. These believers expressed concern that the ratification of the First Amendment did not go far enough in protecting religious minorities from governmental intrusion.

Remember, many of America’s earliest citizens sought freedom from the oppression of the state sanctioned Church of England, and Baptists in particular were fearful of similar overreach in their new land. For smaller denominations, the rising influence of early Congregationalists and the taxes funneled to them felt eerily similar to the missteps of their previous experience.

Thus, Jefferson sought to reassure these Christians of their freedom to practice and verbalize their faith without interruption from the government. Rather than exile Christian ideas out of political debate, our third president sought to preserve their expression by eliminating the fear of legal blowback. From his perspective, the First Amendment successfully prevented the federal government from espousing a preferenceof religion without eliminating the presence of religion from our budding republic.

Tragically, our modern sensibilities erroneously maintain, contrary to Jefferson, that Christian influence is more dangerous than governmental interference. Religious liberty is the foundational cornerstone upon which our nation was built. Our founders understood that the best ideas will rise to the top when we persuade, not punish, those with whom we disagree.

Discriminating against distinctly Christian ideas because of their morality is a failure to recognize that a code of ethics governs ALL expressed views. Divorcing morality from public policy is impossible. Thus, the issue becomes whose virtues we applaud and prioritize. Even the most secular adherents are often quite religious about their atheism! In doing so, nonreligious elites ironically insist on a separation between church and state for everyone but themselves.

Christians rightly understand that government is a gift from God established for the good and safety of society (Rom. 13:1-7). The kingdom of God, however, is not of this world (John 18:36), so the former has no jurisdiction over the latter. As salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), followers of Jesus are to contend for the souls of men and women first (Matt. 28:19-20), followed by the welfare of the cities wherein they live (Jer. 29:7). We have every right to express our views concerning morality, legislation, and the people who lead us. The world would be even more frightening if we did not. Regardless of outcomes, we should rest knowing that the kingdom of our God will prevail over the kingdoms of this world (Rev. 11:15).

Adam B. Dooley
July 1, 2025

Feb 12
Love0

Lessons on the Hardwood

By Church, Faithfulness, Future, Pastor, Sanctification No Comments

For as long as I can remember, I would always trade the pigskin for a round ball without hesitation. Maybe it’s my Kentucky roots. Perhaps it stems from growing up during the Michael Jordan era. Whatever the reason, though, I fell in love with basketball as a boy, partly because I did not need anyone else to play. I lost count how many times I won the Final Four and the NBA Finals just before dinner in my childhood backyard.

Unfortunately, my playing days never rivaled those imaginary successes, but to this day I marvel over the superior athleticism, team strategy, and breakneck speed that takes place on 94 feet of hardwood. With College March Madness just around the corner, high school basketball is winding down and regional tournament brackets are starting to take shape.

The Trinity Christian Academy Lions are unknown to most readers outside the state of Tennessee, but here in our little corner of the world, they are finishing up a historical season that leaves us undefeated in our district for the first time. With two of my sons on the roster, you can understand my excitement. As I watch my kids play the sport I love, I cannot help but to relive part of my childhood and reappreciate so many life lessons I learned from my coaches and teammates. Long before I went to seminary, basketball taught me so much about life and ministry.

Take, for example, the principle that everyone has a role to play. The beauty of a team sport is that no single athlete can succeed alone. This year, a young man named Braydon Waller became the all-time leading scorer at our school, earning him well deserved accolades. Yet, underestimating the impact of less visible contributors on our team is a sure recipe for failure. Because our entire roster learned to function as a single unit, each member now enjoys the team’s success. Doing so requires each player to accept the unique role that most benefits the team.

Who is more important, the shooter who finishes the fast-break or the rebounder who started it? Who is more valuable, the assist leader or the game’s highest scorer? Who is more vital, the defender who keeps points off the scoreboard or the hot hand who adds them? Does the teammate who leads in steals contribute more to victory than the athlete who never turns the ball over? Is the guy who cuts down the lane wide-open more essential than the individual who sets his pick? Can good players strategize without a wise coach?

In a similar way, albeit with a slightly different analogy, the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ made up of various members with different functions (Rom. 12:4-5). Despite the variety, however, we should never attach the value of an individual to their designated assignment within a Christian community (1 Cor. 12:14-26). Some water, others plant, but God works mightily through every Christ follower to accomplish His work (1 Cor. 3:4-7). Ultimately, each believer is invaluable solely because they make up the roster of faith.

Another important lesson basketball has taught me is that everyone can’t be the coach. Throughout our season at Trinity, I have marveled over the stellar leadership of Coach Dexter Williams. Our team plays suffocating, full-court defense, shoots the three like a college team, and runs like a well-oiled machine, largely because we have a coach who won’t settle for less. His ability to get the most out of every player is inspiring. Like my sons, I also benefitted from great coaching growing up. This past week I learned that my former high school coach, Tony Cox, will soon be inducted into the Madison County Sports Hall of Fame in Richmond, Kentucky. His approach was different, but I still benefit from his investment in my life.

We should not overlook, however, that even the greatest coaches receive their share of criticism. You always have parents who would do it differently, most likely to benefit their children. It’s easy for critics to question calls after the buzzer sounds or to change strategies with the benefit of hindsight. When the pressure of the moment subsides, everyone is great coach. But few can handle the constant pressure leading on the sideline brings.

Pastors face similar challenges. Everyone has opinions about how the church should function, but everyone cannot, and should not, be a pastor.  The unique role of leading people spiritually is a special calling assigned by God Himself (Eph. 4:11-12). In addition to the required character qualities (1 Tim. 3:1-7), the Bible plainly states that not all should desire to teach the Word because those who do will face stricter judgment (James 3:1). For these reasons, Scripture admonishes believers to submit to the guidance of godly spiritual leaders without the constant grief of second-guessing them (Heb. 13:7, 17).

Finally, basketball taught me that yesterday’s victories don’t guarantee success today. I don’t yet know how the season will end for my Trinity Lions, but I am certain that the achievements of this season do not promise any success going forward. Staying hungry and continuing to reach for the next milestone is key for any successful team.

The stakes are higher in real life, but the priority remains the same. In order to take hold of what was ahead, the Apostle Paul insisted that he chose to forget what was behind him (Phil. 3:12-14). Letting go of the past is the key to continued growth and sanctification.

Yesterday’s sin often intimidates us, making it difficult for us to accept God’s forgiveness and live in victory. Previous suffering sometimes angers us, birthing a root of bitterness and suspicion in our soul. Perhaps most challenging of all, former successes can leave us wishing for our glory days, blinding us to what God desires to do in our lives today. Unshackling ourselves from the past is essential for living by God’s design in the present and future.

Adam B. Dooley
February 12, 2025

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