TOWN OF JEFFERSON – We’ve all heard the expression “the elephant in the room.” It’s a metaphorical idiom in English for an important or controversial topic, obvious to everyone, but so delicate that no one wants to discuss it.
But what happens when elephants come to church? In other words, what is the local church doing on such hot-button issues as creation versus evolution, same-sex attraction, racism and sexism, depression, and burial versus cremation?
Often the answer is: we avoid them.
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Ken Parker
But we shouldn’t, because the Bible addresses them all. So says Ken Parker, pastor of First Baptist Church of Kearney, who sheds scriptural light on more than a dozen sensitive topics in Elephants in the Church: What the Bible Says on 14 Contemporary Issues.
This new book from High Street Press, the publishing arm of the Missouri Baptist Convention, distills more than a year of sermons Parker preached to his congregation in an effort to provide them with a biblical foundation for addressing difficult contemporary issues.
Elephants in the church is a timely, frank and readable love letter to Christians. Parker’s sincere efforts to properly divide God’s Word—wherever that leads readers—are balanced by pastoral love and self-deprecating humor.
The issues Parker addresses are critical and often controversial, but he provides a clear biblical perspective in refreshingly contemporary language.
The book is written for both pastors and lay people. It includes a discussion questions at the end of each chapter and is an engaging, readable, and biblically sound resource for all Christians. It is specially designed for personal or group study.
Chapters include: Why Trust the Bible? Social media and the way we speak; Alcohol and marijuana; What’s wrong with the game? The scourge of pornography; and heaven and hell.
In the book’s foreword, Jason Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes: “Addressing these issues with biblical clarity, personal courage, and Christian grace is a delicate balance to maintain. But that is exactly what Dr. Parker does, both in the context of this book and throughout his broader ministerial life.
John Yeats, executive director of MBC, adds: “Part of every pastor’s faith walk is grappling with cultural issues that conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture. Ken Parker tackles some of the toughest questions of this type. As you read Elephants in the Church, you quickly learn from a compassionate, reasonable, and sensible pastor that it is okay to struggle and doubt, as long as you adhere to biblical ethics.
Before coming to Kearney, Parker served as founding pastor of Southpointe Family Church (SBC) in Fort Smith, Ark. He also served as pastor of Fianna Hills Baptist Church in Fort Smith and First Baptist, Union.
Before becoming senior pastor, Parker served churches in his home state of Illinois and in Missouri as an associate pastor with responsibilities in worship and student ministry.
Parker is a graduate of Missouri Baptist University (MBU) and a three-time graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, with MA, M.Div. and D.Min. degrees. He was an administrator for 10 years at MBU and 10 years at Midwestern, where he is now a professor of pastoral ministry and counseling.
Parker has served on various SBC boards and was twice elected first vice president and twice president of the MBC. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries.
Elephants in the Church is available in print and Kindle versions from Amazon and other booksellers.