Learning from Philip Melanchthon

Dear Church Family,

Have you ever heard of Philip Melanchthon? Born in 1497, he became one of the most influential figures in the Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s closest theological colleague. However, Melanchthon was very different from Luther. Luther was bold, confrontational, and fearless, while Melanchthon was measured, timid, and gentle. Luther was like a bull in a China-shop. Melanchthon was a butterfly in a showroom full of glass. God used both men, with their different gifts, to advance the truth of the Gospel and reform the church.

What Does It Mean that God Is Our Comforter?

Click on the link below to view a recent article by Pastor Clif featured by Ligonier Ministries. In it he discusses what it means that God is our comforter.

Officer Nomination & Election

Dear CPC Flock,

1 Timothy was written by Paul to his young protégé, who was laboring in Ephesus. One of the things he wanted Timothy to do was to have elders and deacons elected, trained, and installed into the church. Elders were to lead and teach the church. Deacons were to serve and care for the church. Without them, the health and continuance of the church in Ephesus would suffer. However, Paul didn’t want Timothy to just pick anyone. Hence why he gave officer qualifications in chapter 3, which related to the character and giftedness required for each office. Paul knew that having bad elders and bad deacons would ruin the church in Ephesus. Timothy and the congregation needed to be wise and follow his instructions.