John Benton

The predominant religion in many parts of the world today is expressive individualism. It shapes the religious intuitions of our non-Christian neighbors, our children, and even ourselves in the church. Understanding expressive individualism and how it has impacted the church is crucial for pastoral ministry. Table of Contents Editor's Note Introducing Expressive IndividualismWhy Pastors Need to Understand an Abstract Topic Like "Expressive Individualism" by Justin HarrisDo 9Marks Churches Foster Expressive Individualism? by Ben WrightSummary of Carl Trueman's, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by John BentonBook Review: Carl Trueman's Strange New World reviewed by Allen DutyHow Do We Find Our Identity in Christ? - An excerpt from Brian Brosner's How to Find Yourself Expressive Individualism and the ChurchExpressive Individualism and the Church by Carl TruemanPreaching in the Age of Expressive Individualism: Telling the Story of Our New Identity by Michael LawrencePastoring Singles in the Age of Self by Sam AllberryYouth Ministry and the Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Walt MuellerYou're a Pastor, Not a Therapist by Jeremy PierreChurch Discipline and Expressive Individualism by Jonathan ParnellThe Ordinances: A True and Better Identity Politics by Bobby JamiesonRaising Children in an Age of Expressive Individualism by Abigail DoddsThe Pastor and an Unmessianic Sense of Non Destiny by Carl Trueman Expressive Individualism and the Internet"You've Got Self: " How the Internet Cultivates Expressive Individualism in All of Us by Samuel D. JamesSocial Media Is Designed to Divide Churches-So What Do We Do? by Clare Morell Gender, Sexuality, and Expressive IndividualismQuestions about Gender Should Send Us to Scripture by Tom SchreinerIf You Want to Address LGBTQ, Address Expressive Individualism by Ryan FullertonExpressive Individualism, Embodied Telos, and How to Be an Anti-Winfrey by Andrew Walker Elder Meditation: An Elder Must Not Be QuarrelsomeAre You Principles or Just a Contentious Jerk? by Paul MartinAre You Contending for the Truth or Quarrelsome? by Paul AlexanderWhat Does Proverbes Teach about Being Quarrelsome? by Mark RedfernWhat Does Paul Mean by Quarrelsome? by Will McKinneyHow Do We Recognize Quarrelsome People? by Nathan LoudinWhat Is the Root of Quarrelsomeness and How Does It Get Fixed? by David Dunham About 9MarksAt 9Marks, we help pastors, future pastors, and church members see what a biblical church looks like, and help them take practical steps toward becoming one. We believe every local church should be characterized by expository preaching, biblical theology, a biblical understanding of the gospel and of conversion, biblical evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship, and a biblical model of leadership. In order to inform and influence churches, 9Marks creates a wide variety of practical resources including books, articles, podcasts, book reviews, and a quarterly Journal. We also host regular events around the world-almost all of them geared toward equipping and encouraging pastors.

In a self–centred, immature world the Church is called to be different. Christians of all ages should be growing in spiritual maturity. John Benton guides us through what the book of Philippians has to say about a maturing church and gives helpful suggestions for how this can be put into practice and shows the joy that can be ours when we live God’s way.

Being a Christian leader is a huge privilege. It is also a huge challenge. Paul, a man who knew how tough it could be, wrote a letter to his young friend who was at a crossroads in the ministry, to encourage resilience in the spiritual battle. John Benton looks at what 2 Timothy has to say about finding strength, recovering from discouragement and keeping going as a Christian leader.

‘A Christian married couple I know of had to move out of London and leave their church to go north with the husband’s job. ‘Much to the surprise of some of their long–term Christian pals they began attending the little and very local Anglican church in the village to which they had moved. The Christian friends of the couple had concerns. The church was small, the teaching was not heretical but it was not great, and there was nothing there for their four children. ‘It was while talking through these concerns one evening with one of their friends that the husband made a comment which was highly significant. He said, ‘How could we drive past one church to go to another?’ They felt, before God, they just could not do it. ‘They refused to dismiss the little church because it was in a poorly state. They were more concerned to help Christ’s cause there than they were for their own immediate welfare or ?enjoyment’ of the ministry. ‘To join a big and thriving church is not always wrong, but it is frequently the easy option. To join a little, needy congregation is not a decision to be taken lightly. It will probably require far more guts, love, resilience and spiritual exertion. But how the devil would love to herd Christians into a few big city centre churches, getting them to travel miles from their communities, and leaving vast tracts of our country with no viable witness for the gospel. ‘This book is written as a plea for Christians to think again about getting involved with a small church. Ask yourself the question, “How can we drive past one church to go to another?”’

Only half of today's marriages stick - why is that? The social revolution has made marriage fairer and unacceptable behaviour more 'frowned upon' so shouldn't our marriages be healthier and more long lasting?Why is it that an institution that forms the basis of society is in crisis? And what can we do to improve things?Here are the 6 questions to ask yourselves if you are preparing for, or are already part of, a marriage.1. WHAT? - The nature of your marriage 2. WHO? - The partners in your marriage 3. WHY? - The reasons for your marriage 4. HOW? - The practicalities of your marriage 5. WHEN? - The timing of your marriage 6. WHERE? - The purpose of your marriageThis book won't make you feel guilty and suggest impossible solutions (we've all read THOSE sort of books before!). It'll make you realise what you can do and suggest a plan to implement it.Is your marriage important? - Show that it is! There are also 2 helpful appendices:1. Pre-marriage Studies 2. Why not? - Sexual temptation in the workplace