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.

Adult Bible Class Myths: It’s a good idea to talk about other denominations

Posted on May 20, 2007 by Jay F Guin

Myth #10. It’s a good idea to talk about other denominations. In my early years of teaching, I taught as I’d been taught–by teaching what “the denominations” do wrong. Sadly, sometimes there were visitors there from exactly those denominations, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Adult Bible Class Myths: It’s a good idea to talk about other denominations

On Building Community in a Congregation

Posted on May 15, 2007 by Jay F Guin

In my last series of posts dealing with Richland Hills and the instrumental music controversy, I mentioned the importance of building community in a congregation. It’s certainly more important and more urgent than buying a piano. You can bring in … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on On Building Community in a Congregation

Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 3

Posted on May 12, 2007 by Jay F Guin

Now, all that being said, I have trouble seeing the Churches of Christ remaining a cappella for another 100 years. There are some very good reasons to seriously consider picking up a guitar or violin. First, we live in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Instrumental Music, Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 3

Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 2

Posted on May 12, 2007 by Jay F Guin

Church leaders considering having two different worship styles, whether instrumental or not, in two separate services have to wrestle with the risk of effectively creating two congregations that share a common building. If one service is traditional and another is … Continue reading →

Posted in Instrumental Music, Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 2

Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 1

Posted on May 11, 2007 by Jay F Guin

It’s well known among the Churches of Christ that our largest congregation, the Richland Hills Church of Christ in Ft. Worth, recently decided to add an instrumental Saturday night worship service to their two Sunday morning a cappella services. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Instrumental Music, Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the Future of the Churches of Christ, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Richland Hills, Instrumental Music, and the future of the Churches of Christ, Part 1

Communion Meditation: Why do the trays pass differently the third time around?

Posted on May 9, 2007 by Jay F Guin

The men who are waiting there in the back to pass out the trays to pick up the collection are perhaps the most under-appreciated servants of the church. As they pass the trays from row to row, they try hard … Continue reading →

Posted in Communion Meditations, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Litigation Between Brothers, part 2

Posted on May 2, 2007 by Jay F Guin

There are a host of practical questions that arise in an effort to arbitrate a case between brothers. I don’t know all the answers, but here’s a stab at some answers– Who is my brother? This is, of course, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Litigation Between Brothers, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Litigation Between Brothers, part 2

Litigation Between Brothers, part 1

Posted on May 2, 2007 by Jay F Guin

In a frequently ignored passage, Paul commands us not to take our disputes to the secular courts but to resolve them within the church. (1 Cor. 6:1-8) If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it … Continue reading →

Posted in Litigation Between Brothers, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Litigation Between Brothers, part 1

The Prostitute, the Pharisee, and the Prophet

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Jay F Guin

It looked like another night of degradation, of providing sexual favors to men who’d preach her into hell the following Shabbat—men who enjoyed her presence at night but denied knowing her by day. Miriam hated her life and was beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in Grace | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Church Treasury, Judas, and Jesus’ Money Bag: A Parable

Posted on April 28, 2007 by Jay F Guin

It was perhaps the most well-attended elders and deacons meeting ever. The elders had called the meeting to discuss building a new church building, and everyone wanted to participate in such a momentous decision. There was no choice but to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church Finances and Business, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on The Church Treasury, Judas, and Jesus’ Money Bag: A Parable