Author Archives: Jay F Guin

About Jay F Guin

My name is Jay Guin, and I’m a retired elder. I wrote The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace about 18 years ago. I’ve spoken at the Pepperdine, Lipscomb, ACU, Harding, and Tulsa lectureships and at ElderLink. My wife’s name is Denise, and I have four sons, Chris, Jonathan, Tyler, and Philip. I have two grandchildren. And I practice law.

The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 3 (Hunter and the Exercise of Power by the Church)

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Christians in a democracy: Foreign policy One of the thornier issues that the American church must wrestle with is how the church should operate in a democracy. In fact, in the US, there are enough Christian voters that the church’s … Continue reading →

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Comments Fixed (I think)

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Jay F Guin

WordPress released an update a few days ago that appears to be the source of all sorts of problems for the readers — especially the commenting software. They just released a patch, and it seems to be working. (Fingers cross, … Continue reading →

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Advice to a New Elder: Networking, Benchmarking & Training

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Networking Some of my favorite times as an elder were times spent with preachers and elders talking about church leadership. I’ve spent many an afternoon or evening just comparing notes with leaders from other churches. We in the Churches of … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 2 (Further from Christopher Wright)

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Wright on Justice So we have to start with love. From there, we go to justice. Christopher Wright speaks first of believers who serve the state for God’s purposes. First, they accepted the realities of the public sphere they became … Continue reading →

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Advice to a New Elder: Shepherds Protect the Flock, Part 2 (False Teachers)

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Although sexual predators are likely the most common type of church predator, there are other predators that the elders/shepherds should be diligent to protect the flock from. False teachers The obligation of elders to protect the flock from false teachers is … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 1 (Christopher Wright on Jesus; Boundaries)

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Christopher J. H. Wright includes in the church’s mission “justice (transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation).” Boundaries This requires some unpacking as well as some boundary setting. Pacifism First, I … Continue reading →

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Advice to a New Elder: Shepherds Protect the Flock, Part 1 (Sexual Predators)

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Jay F Guin

The scriptures refer to elders as shepherds and as overseers. The idea of a “shepherd” carries certain connotations that we often overlook. I think the foremost idea behind “shepherd” is not that the elder must take on pastoral duties (although … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Compassion for Others

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Repeat after me: I will not use people in an effort to save them. Again: I will not use people in an effort to save them. Got it? Jesus never used people. He never objectivized or instrumentalized them. He loved … Continue reading →

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Advice to a New Elder: A Few Starting Points, Part 2

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Don’t overlook the ministers. Some elders (not at my church) look at the preacher and think, “I’m an elder and you’re not!” Bad idea. Yes, the church is supposed to be overseen by the elders and not the ministers, and … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Compassion for Our Own

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Christopher Wright next lists “compassion (respond to human need by loving service)” as an essential element of the church’s mission. Now, this is easily shown true from the Torah, the prophets, and the NT. Jesus certainly demonstrated it in his … Continue reading →

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