More than any time in recent memory, evangelical missions is focused on planting churches. In the previous century, as the World Council of Churches drifted toward liberalism and ecumenism, some missiologists began to downplay the role of establishing local churches. Instead, they preferred to speak of expanding the kingdom, establishing shalom, or starting missional communities. This language was thought to carry less rigid expectations for structure, less divisive doctrinal distinctions, and less potential for importing cultural baggage. Today, however, “church” is again in vogue in missiology. Church planting is increasingly seen as the aim of missions. Despite this positive shift, what missiologists and missionaries mean when they speak of the church often remains unclear. Therefore, defining our goal for the church will be the determining factor in whether this renaissance in church-centeredness results in a healthy course correction. Following Ken Caruthers, I understand a healthy church to be one that is and does what the Bible says a church should be and do. Mere Church? One current temptation in missions is to pursue a “mere” ecclesiology for the purpose of reducing cultural imposition and increasing reproducibility. Proponents of mere church are content to focus their efforts on reproducing communities of disciples that follow the Acts 2:37–47 pattern. Unfortunately, that passage doesn’t intend to define the local church. Nor do the elements recorded there exhaust the biblical descriptions or functions of the local church. Church planting is increasingly seen as the aim of missions. If we aim for something less than the full biblical understanding—even for the good reasons of increased multiplication and enculturated contextualization—we endanger those who’ll one day give an account for their role in the church. With that in mind, I’ll offer three important texts that give direction and definition to our goal of establishing churches worldwide. Pillar and Foundation Up to the end of 1 Timothy 3, Paul has been discussing how people are supposed to behave in the church and what qualifications there are for being appointed to church offices. He clearly states his rationale for doing so: “I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (3:14–15, CSB). If being church-centered means our missions efforts aim at establishing churches, that aim must be informed by Paul’s definition of the church as the household of God, a pillar and foundation of the truth. To be church-centered in this sense requires us to realize the saints in covenant with one another don’t merely exist for man-centered fellowship, encouragement, or training for evangelism. The local church is to be a God-centered community, gathering as the household of the living God, ordering its behaviors and recognizing its leaders by the standards given. These standards are provided so the church will be a display (pillar) and support (foundation) of the truth. To display God’s manifold wisdom and truth, it must be protected from swerving toward false doctrine and teaching. Any compromise or misstep in what’s taught and believed will subsequently malform what the church displays to a watching world. Those entrusted with teaching—the ones Paul identifies as elders earlier in the chapter—must be capable of rightly dividing the Word, guarding doctrine, and identifying false teaching. Defend and Teach In multiple places throughout the New Testament, the church and its leaders are instructed to guard and teach doctrine. Second Timothy is an especially helpful example as Paul connects the importance of Scripture as God’s inspired Word with his solemn charge to his protégé—a church elder—to preach and teach the Word (2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1–2). This is important for church-centered missions because it addresses doctrine’s source and its transmission within the church. To display God’s manifold wisdom and truth, it must be protected from swerving toward false doctrine and teaching. By contrast, Paul highlights those whose teaching and conniving have attempted to woo people toward harmful and false teachings. He reminds Timothy his truth source is the faithful teaching he’s received from Paul, rooted in the God-breathed Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16). It’s useful—and to be used for—teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness, and equipping. Despite the proper desire to avoid passing along cultural preferences and extrabiblical understandings, missionaries and those they equip to lead must be able to divide the Word of truth, to identify false teaching, and to teach true doctrine. This is the role of the church and its elders. While the preaching might take a different form from one context to another, authoritative instruction from the Word is necessary as part of the noble shepherding task for which every elder will one day give an account. Authority and Accountability Scripture reminds believers we’ll give an account for our lives. While our salvation is secured in Christ, there’s the possibility our work might yet be burned up (1 Cor. 3:10–15). In addition to that general warning, elders and overseers are told they’ll be held to a higher standard. James 3:1 states this explicitly: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” If we’re to be truly church-centered in our missions, we must be committed to equipping local elders to know how to rightly divide the Word (2 Tim. 2:15), to watch their life and doctrine closely (1 Tim. 4:16), and to contend for the faith delivered to the saints once for all (Jude 3). Lest we appoint people too hastily to a role—and a judgment—for which they aren’t prepared, we must recognize the missionary task doesn’t just require preparing a church for growth and reproduction. We must ultimately prepare churches and their leaders to give an account for all that Scripture calls us to be and do.

Apart from Jesus, no one confronted and dismantled the church’s lust for earthly glory more thoroughly and capably than the apostle Paul in his letters to the church in Corinth. In both letters, Paul demonstrates God’s design for weakness in the Christian life, relentlessly returning to God’s power present in the weakness of the cross. For Paul, Christian living requires following Jesus in faith, rejecting the values of the world, and embracing the Christ crucified out of weakness. Consider these seven ways Paul encourages us to embrace weakness. 1. Believe that the weakness of Christ crucified is God’s power to save. The message of Christ crucified is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23–24). So, for Paul, the whole of the Christian life is lived “by faith in the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave himself for [us]” (Gal. 2:20). Since the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” all God’s saving righteousness is revealed and received entirely through faith in Jesus (Rom. 1:16–17). To put our hope in anything else is to forfeit God’s saving power. Will the church preach this today? 2. Imitate the weakness of Christ. To be an apostle was to be conformed to the image of Christ crucified: “God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death” (1 Cor. 4:9). But the way of weakness isn’t limited to Jesus’s apostles. Paul’s gospel ministry birthed the church in Corinth. As their “father in Christ Jesus through the gospel,” he expects his “beloved children” to grow up to look like him: “I urge you, then, be imitators of me” (vv. 14–16). Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians for that purpose: “[He will] remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church” (v. 17). What example does the church set and call people to imitate today? 3. Consider your weakness when God called you. Understanding that “the weakness of God is stronger than men” requires remembering your own weakness when God saved you (1:24). Paul writes, “Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (v. 26). To put our hope in anything but the gospel is to forfeit God’s saving power. Where is our wisdom? Christ. Where is our righteousness? Christ. Where is our holiness? Christ. Where is our redemption? Christ. Christ Jesus—and he alone—is the entirety of our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Does today’s church remember where she came from? 4. Reject any methodology that empties God’s weakness of its power. Paul reminds the Corinthians of how he came to them with the gospel: “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2). Paul is describing the “how” of his ministry. The “how” is as crucial as the “what” of the message, because when the world’s means and manners are employed, Christ’s cross is emptied of its power. Is today’s church willing to follow suit? 5. Live in a way that demonstrates the Spirit’s power. Paul chose to live in such a way that God’s power was present and active (2:4). Elsewhere, Paul tells the Corinthians that Christ “was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God” (2 Cor. 13:4). Throughout both 1 and 2 Corinthians, Paul battles thought systems that value earthly wisdom and strength. How does he go about demolishing such things? Every time, he preaches and applies the gospel. The powerful weapon of our warfare is the message of the cross proclaimed in the Spirit’s power through a gospel-shaped messenger. What weapon is the church using today? 6. Don’t be afraid to appear weak. At the center of the super-apostles’ criticism of Paul (and the Corinthians’ wavering fidelity to him and his gospel) was the charge that Paul was weak. He didn’t measure up to the standards of “those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart” (2 Cor. 5:12). Paul wasn’t a specimen of human strength and beauty. But then again, neither was Jesus, who “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2). Jesus looked weak. Paul wasn’t afraid to appear weak. Is today’s church willing to look weak to keep the gospel central? 7. Boast about your weaknesses so Christ’s power may reside in you. Paul disdained the idea of commending himself: “It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Cor. 10:18). Instead, he boasts about the shameful weaknesses obvious in his ministry history: Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (11:24–27) Paul’s list might be seen as triumphal boasting. In this way, these experiences would be testimonies to Paul’s strength in the flesh. But he wants nothing to do with such a conclusion. So he adds a capstone of humiliating weakness: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (v. 30). Are we in the church willing to boast about our shameful weaknesses to show Christ’s glorious power? Does the church take pleasure in humiliation for Christ’s sake? Are we willing to believe it (and live like it) when Jesus promises, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:8)?

With the closing chapter of the Light and Dark saga in Destiny 2 upon us, maybe the last chance to level grind is just around the corner. To become the best Guardian you can be, you will want to be able to smash through the soft cap, hard cap, and Pinnacle level cap in Destiny 2: The Final Shape. Here is what you’ll be aiming for. New cap levels in Destiny 2 A few changes have been made to the level caps in The Final Shape. These are designed to make it easier for New Lights to get to that soft cap. Rather than the usual 150 levels needed between floor level and soft cap, it is only 40 this time around. This means simply playing through the Final Shape campaign will have all players right at the soft cap immediately. Screenshot: Bungie The new caps levels in Destiny 2 are: Power Floor: 1900 Soft Cap: 1940 Powerful Cap: 1990 Hard Cap/Pinnacle Cap: 2000 The jump from the power level floor to the soft cap can be achieved really easily in The Final Shape...

The networks must have collective whiplash. The brutality and edge of their coverage of former President Donald Trump’s Manhattan business records trial is eclipsed by the collective tenderness with which they’re handling Hunter Biden’s federal trial on gun charges in Wilmington, Delaware. We’ll get to that in a bit, but one fascinating tidbit emerged: as clean an admission of the authenticity of the Hunter Biden laptop as you’ll hear on Regime Media, over on NBC: RYAN NOBLES: Hunter's original plea bargain, which would have resulted in no prison time, was blasted by Republicans as a sweetheart deal, and it fell apart under a judge's scrutiny. Special prosecutor David Weiss then charging him for both tax and gun crimes, to which Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty. Weiss saying he'll rely on Hunter's laptop, writing the defendant's laptop is real, it will be introduced as a trial exhibit, and it contains significant evidence of the defendant's guilt.  It’s been almost four years since the laptop story broke, was suppressed, called Russian disinformation and all but buried. But the truth eventually comes out. At least it did on NBC. CBS and ABC continue to look the other way on the laptop, and this is a test of what kind of coverage we get from this trial. If Special Counsel David Weiss is intending to enter the laptop as evidence, he’ll need to elicit testimony authenticating the laptop, which per the (also media-suppressed) IRS whistleblowers happened in November of 2019. We’ll see who reports that and who doesn’t. The rest of the coverage was essentially a love letter to a father’s undying love for his troubled son. Or “child”, as the networks ridiculously characterized 54-year-old Hunter Biden- a deference never accorded to the Bush twins when they were busted for underaged drinking. Credit to Lester Holt, who refused to go along with this collective foolishness: Nothing but respect for @LesterHoltNBC's dignified refusal to refer to a 54-year-old man as a CHILD. Watch and learn, kids. pic.twitter.com/xvLPNb9YhH — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) June 4, 2024 The most obsequious report, of course, was filed by the most pro-Biden network which is ABC. Here’s how Terry Moran’s report opened: TERRY MORAN: Hunter Biden walked hand-in-hand with his wife, Melissa, into the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, this morning to stand trial on charges of violating federal gun laws. Minutes later, First Lady Jill Biden made her way into court on her 73rd birthday. The case marks the first time in American history that the child of a sitting president has gone on trial. Hunter Biden faces three felony gun charges in what prosecutors are calling "a simple case." They allege that he lied about his drug abuse on this federal form back in October 2018, when he bought a Colt Cobra .38 Special handgun. For years, the president's son has been open about his fight with drug addiction. He could’ve ended it right there and no one would have missed anything. There were no mentions of the laptop, or of Hallie Biden’s testimony, which would’ve elicited mention of Hallie’s gross relationship with Hallie Biden. Just a father’s love and Hunter’s recovery from addiction. We’ll see whether things pick up once opening statements kick off. But tonight was, with few exceptions, a saccharine mess. Click “expand” to view the aforementioned reports as aired on their respective evening newscasts on Monday, June 3rd, 2024: ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT: DAVID MUIR: But we start tonight with the trial of Hunter Biden on felony gun charges. The first child of a sitting president ever to go to trial. 12 jurors and four alternates were seated today. Hunter Biden arriving at federal court in Wilmington, Delaware along with his wife, Melissa Cohen Biden. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden there to show her support. His father, the president, tonight sending his boundless love to his son. Hunter Biden is accused of lying about his drug use on a federal form when he bought a handgun in 2018. For years, Hunter Biden has been open about his drug addiction and his fight to beat it. Tonight, prosecutors now plan to use Hunter Biden's own words against him. ABC's Terry Moran leading us off at the courthouse tonight. TERRY MORAN: Hunter Biden walked hand-in-hand with his wife, Melissa, into the federal courthouse in Wilmington, Delaware, this morning to stand trial on charges of violating federal gun laws. Minutes later, First Lady Jill Biden made her way into court on her 73rd birthday. The case marks the first time in American history that the child of a sitting president has gone on trial. Hunter Biden faces three felony gun charges in what prosecutors are calling "a simple case." They allege that he lied about his drug abuse on this federal form back in October 2018, when he bought a Colt Cobra .38 Special handgun. For years, the president's son has been open about his fight with drug addiction. HUNTER BIDEN: …that I have made mistakes in my life and wasted opportunities and privileges I was afforded. For that, I am responsible. MORAN: Now prosecutors plan to use his words against him in court, including excerpts from his 2021 memoir "Beautiful Things," where he came clean about his addiction, and his text messages. This one allegedly sent just two days after buying that firearm, "I was sleeping on a car smoking crack on 4th Street and Rodney." Hunter Biden's lawyers have argued in court documents that that form is confusing, and so their client did not knowingly lie. Last year, a plea deal in this case fell apart under tough questioning by the same judge who will now preside at trial. The jury selected today, six men, six women including a man whose father died by gun violence and whose brother was sentenced to prison for drug crimes. A woman who grew up in a hunting family with guns, and whose best friend died from a drug overdose. And a man who has owned six guns in his life and told the judge, "I believe the Second Amendment is very important. Earlier today, President Biden released a statement standing by his only surviving son, saying in part -- "I have boundless love for my son." In court, Hunter Biden has been an active participant, conferring frequently with his lawyers during jury selection. And he's been an attentive son, checking in on the First Lady. At one point during a break, embracing her with visible emotion. Opening statements in this case begin tomorrow morning. David. MUIR: Terry Moran leading us off here tonight. Terry, thank you.   CBS EVENING NEWS: NORAH O’DONNELL: Hunter Biden just left the courthouse where six men and six women have been seated in an American first. The first criminal trial for a child of a NORAH O’DONNELL: Hunter Biden just left the courthouse where six men and six women have been seated in an American first: the first criminal trial for a child of a sitting president. Good evening, I am Norah O'Donnell and thank you for being with us. Those jurors were six selected after attorneys on both sides questioned them about their views on gun rights, addiction, and politics. The president’s only surviving son is charged with three felony counts related to his alleged illegal purchase and possession of a firearm in 2018. Tomorrow the prosecution and the defense will present opening statements, which could include sordid details about Hunter Biden's love life and addiction battles. The First Lady was in the courtroom with the president not far, remaining in his home in Delaware. CBS's Scott MacFarlane was inside the courtroom for today's proceedings. SCOTT MACFARLANE: A show of support on the first day of trial for President Biden's son Hunter. First Lady Jill Biden, on her 73rd birthday, sat directly behind him. And in a rare statement on the case the president said, “Jill and I love our son. And we’re so proud of the man he is today.” Hunter Biden is charged with making false statements when he bought a Colt .38 handgun six years ago, by not acknowledging on the application he was using or addicted to drugs. HUNTER BIDEN: I’ve made mistakes in my life and wasted opportunities, and privileges I was afforded. For that, I am responsible. MACFARLANE: Prosecutors expected to call as a witness Beau Biden’s widow Hallie Biden. She and Hunter were romantically linked at the time of the gun purchase. BIDEN: I had returned that fall of 2018, after my most recent relapse in California, with the hope of getting clean through a new therapy in reconciling with Hallie. Neither happened. MACFARLANE: Prosecutors will also argue that Hallie Biden found the gun in Hunter’s truck in 2018 and tossed it in a dumpster. According to court documents, Hunter texted her: "Are you insane? Tell me now. This is no game" Hallie Biden wrote back, “Check yourself into local rehab, Hunter. This has all got to stop.” Also expected to testify, his ex-wife Kathleen who is currently in a legal battle with him over unpaid alimony. TOM DUPREE: Regardless of how this comes out, even if he is acquitted, this is not going to be a pleasant experience to say the least. MACFARLANE: Prosecutors will also show jurors text messages illustrating Hunter’s drug problem, including one he wrote around the time he was waiting for a drug dealer in Wilmington. “I was sleeping in a car smoking crack on Fourth street at Rodney.” An agreement that would have spared Biden from trial and prison collapsed here last year when the judge determined the sides didn’t fully agree on the terms. DUPREE: It blew up at the last minute- it was Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown when everyone thought it was about to be sealed, done and delivered and it wasn't and we were back to square one. MACFARLANE: Opening arguments begin tomorrow morning, and the trial likely lasts one to two weeks. Hunter Biden has also pleaded not guilty in a different case, a tax case in California brought by the same prosecutor. Norah, that goes to trial in September, just as the presidential race hits high gear.  O’DONNELL: Scott MacFarlane. Thank you.   NBC NIGHTLY NEWS: LESTER HOLT: Days after the first criminal conviction of a former president, another first is unfolding tonight in Delaware where Hunter Biden has become the first offspring of a sitting president to face criminal charges. The trial began today for the president's son, who stands accused of three federal counts related to gun possession. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty. Today was jury selection, with lawyers questioning dozens of prospective jurors before seating a panel late today. And in the courtroom for most of the day, First Lady Jill Biden. In a statement, the president avoiding direct comment on the case but affirming the first couple's support for their son, saying "we are so proud of the man he is today." Ryan nobles is covering the trial. RYAN NOBLES: Tonight, for the first time in American history, the child of a sitting president is facing a criminal trial, and now the 12-member jury is set. Six men and six women, including six jurors who own guns themselves or have family members that purchased them recently. Hunter Biden, accused of lying on a federal form in 2018 to purchase a gun, checking a box saying he was not an active drug user, despite acknowledging in his book he was addicted to crack-cocaine at the time. First Lady Jill Biden, making a surprise appearance, sitting just a few feet behind her son in court. And the president offering his support saying, "As the president, I don't and won't comment on pending federal cases, but as a dad I have boundless love for my son." President Biden spending Memorial Day Weekend with Hunter, and recently inviting him to state dinners and defending him publicly. JOE BIDEN: First of all, my son's done nothing wrong. I trust him. I have faith in him. NOBLES: But his son's legal battles likely to take a political toll on the president in the midst of a re-election campaign. Hunter's original plea bargain, which would have resulted in no prison time, was blasted by Republicans as a sweetheart deal, and it fell apart under a judge's scrutiny. Special prosecutor David Weiss then charging him for both tax and gun crimes, to which Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty. Weiss saying he'll rely on Hunter's laptop, writing the defendant's laptop is real, it will be introduced as a trial exhibit, and it contains significant evidence of the defendant's guilt. Prosecutors also expected to call Hallie Biden, who Hunter was dating when the handgun was discovered. She's the widow of his brother Beau. HOLT: And Ryan, we understand this trial is not expected to last long. NOBLES: That's right, Lester. We expect this trial to last about a week or maybe a little bit longer with opening statements set to begin tomorrow morning. We don't know yet if Hunter Biden will testify in this case but, if convicted, he is facing jail time. Lester. HOLT: All right. Ryan Nobles, thank you.  

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