James Weston Alford

Believer, Husband & Father, Pastor at
Christ Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater TN

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@daneortlund “It’s a funny thing about humility, when you know you’re being humble . . . you’re no longer humble.”
T-Bone Burnett

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Jesus

[Jeff Early @Jeff1Early]

Tonight I am completing a four year long tour through the WCF for the high schoolers of @SPCGreenville.

Teaching the Westminster Standards is one of my absolute favorite parts of my ministry.

Here are 7 tips for teaching confessional theology to teenagers.

1. Do not underestimate them. In school they are learning algebra, geometry or trigonometry. They are future doctors, lawyers, and engineers. They can handle terms like hypostatic union. As my mentor says, “if you are passionate about something, you want to know the technical lingo that goes with it.” They ought to be passionate about the truth of God’s word. Give them the terms with definition but without apology.

2. Be excited. Not necessarily entertaining. Entertaining can often come off as forced, insincere, or, as the kids say (said?) “cringe.” Excitement on the other hand is contagious. If they love you and are convinced you love them, the fact that you are fired up will at least get you an initial hearing.

3. Be concrete. A lot of what makes systematic theology hard for congregants is that we speak in such abstract terms. Break it down without dumbing it down. This is harder than it sounds.

4. Do not be afraid of polemics. Deal with atheist objections as well as other religions, and other Christian traditions. Go all in on our Confession’s distinctive’s. These kids are encountering Roman Catholicism, be able to explain charitably and accurately what the Roman communion teaches. When you get to the sacraments explain why the RCC is not only in error but dangerous. Likewise with other evangelical traditions.

5.Solicit questions. Obviously in the lesson but also in other ways. Sometimes they have questions that they won’t ask for fear of sounding stupid. Other times they have never considered what you are saying before and they don’t have time to formulate questions. We have a box in the class room where students can anonymously ask questions. Some of these have led to entire lessons.

6.Incorporate confessional material and citations in other teaching opportunities as much as possible. This will reinforce that our doctrinal statements are not our theological hobby horses but are faithful summaries of what the Bible teaches from Genesis to Revelation.

7.The lesson is not done when you’ve proven the confession’s teaching is true. You must demonstrate that it is GOOD NEWS that it is true. Why is it good that God gave us the Bible instead of ongoing dreams and visions? Why is it good that Jesus has a human body and soul? Why is it good that their church has a session and is part of a presbytery? If you can convince them that the doctrine of their church is not only true but is for also for their personal good then you just might instill convictions.

[Matt Smethurst @MattSmethurst]

This is the most detailed MRI scan of an unborn baby.

At just 20 weeks, she is moving, turning her head, kicking—even standing. Her beating heart is also visible.

Human life is a miracle.

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@mbird12 Sounds like puppy 🐶 dog wants to chime in.

[Harrison Ford @rhford123]

On the Potential and Pitfalls of Presbymaxxing

One theory of how the PCA can reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha is to be as Presbyterian as possible. Not just in theology and practice, but in attitude and aesthetic.

The logic is this: young people have been burned by liquid modernity and rootless, consumer-driven Christianity and they're hungry for depth, tradition, and liturgy--things we have.

There's real truth to this and plenty anecdotal evidence to support it, especially on platforms like this.

But there's a pitfall: this theory tends to assume a religious landscape that doesn't match up with reality. Most of Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren't Christian, and those who are tend to be Catholic, pentecostal, or baptistic nondenominational. Very few are arriving at our doors already primed for confessionalism.

So the risk of doubling down on Presbyterian distinctives is that we raise the barrier to entry so high that we only gather those who are already convinced, or are close to it. That's a small, shrinking pool.

So the real question isn't whether to be deeply Presbyterian. We should be and should go deeper into the wealth of resources our tradition has to offer.

But how do we do this in a way that is accessible to a young person coming out of, say, a Pentecostal church or no church at all? How do we welcome them in without watering down what we believe? How do we disciple them into the tradition without undue gatekeeping? How do we reduce unnecessary friction while not diluting?

These are the questions we'll be wrestling with at this year's Next Generation Forum at #PCAGA.

Registration is live and linked below. I hope you'll join us.

[Melissa the Hopeful🏠Homemaker @BiblicalBeauty]

I highly recommend listening to this moving conversation between Chuck Swindoll and his daughter, Colleen Thompson, which took place in 2022, when Swindoll was 88 years old.

In it, he shares details about the pain of being raised in a home where he was shown almost no affection and was bluntly informed that he had been "a mistake."

His concluding prayer is poignant and reveals the heart of a man who has learned through hardship to be humble, grateful, joyful, and content:

"Lord, we are grateful that You do know the way that we take. You never learn that way. You know it. You knew it would be like it is today, and You knew that in eternity past. You're always on our side. No one could love us more than You love us. No one could have more compassion for us or have our good at heart more than You do. So grateful...

Remind us of David's words: 'I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from a horrible pit and put my feet on a rock and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth even praise to my God. Many will see it and fear and trust in the Lord.'

Thank you, Father, for this day and for helping me get through this story. Thank you for my original family and all of its struggles and difficulties, that my mother never aborted me, that she bore me. And though my mom and dad really didn't know me and who I was, they cared for me. They fed me. They clothed me. They provided shelter for me. Thank you for that. And today, I honor them. For a brother and sister who did so well in life, and now they're with You, thank you for the reminder of their lives.

Finally, thank you, Father, for my wife, Cynthia, who has loved me all her life and for our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, such gifts, such hope they bring to us in this stage of our lives.
We rest in You, Father, our Shield and our Defender. Through Christ, we pray. Amen."

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

Dang! This platform is crazy! Just look around. 🫤

[Michael Glodo @mglodorts]

Pastoral Formation as Wisdom, or Requiem for an Adjective - Reformed Faith & Practice https://t.co/DB1jWxyYuw

[Fernando Ortega @Ferndiggity]

Oops

[Dane Ortlund @daneortlund]

Christ is,

1. A universal friend
2. An almighty friend
3. An omniscient friend
4. An omnipresent friend
5. An indeficient friend
6. An independent friend
7. An unchangeable friend
8. A watchful friend
9. A tender and compassionate friend
10. A close and faithful friend

Brooks

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@billboard First concert I ever saw was Neil Sedaka in 1975 (?) at Carowinds on the border of North & South Carolina.

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@presbycast And he married her. 😊

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@RHB_Books I recently ordered Wm Ames’ Marrow from RHB. Hoping to read it in 2026.

[Dane Ortlund @daneortlund]

For those who asked, these are my 39 preaching rules through which I run every sermon.

[Brian Croft @PastorCroft]

Pastors, it’s Monday. Don’t resign.

But here’s something you should do. This is a recent talk by my friend Andrew Murch. One of the most powerful testimonies I’ve heard in quite some time. You will be helped to watch on this Monday.

https://t.co/HQjndDmoJn

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@RuthServenSmith ☹️ This makes me very sad.

[Greenville Seminary @GPTSeminary]

NEW EPISODE!

Season 2. Episode 5: The Sacrifices of the Missionary Life: John B. Adger, My Life and Times

This episode tells the story of John Bailey Adger, a 19th-century missionary who served Christ both overseas and at home through translation work, preaching, and sacrificial ministry. His life challenges us to consider where Christ is calling us to pour out our own.

#deadpresbyterianssociety

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@DavidAFrench I think he’s basically right.

[James Weston Alford @PastorWeston]

@ZGroff Hmm 🤔
So Nancy Guthrie should not be doing what she’s doing?
I wonder if we’re not overreacting to women’s roles in the local church. And I’m not here advocating ordination to office.