It's great to see you around as well AG. I've noticed your posts but I've been swamp and haven't had the time to read through everything like the ever faithful FK. I admire him for his tenacity. We'll be on post 14,387 and he'll refer us all to post #12,792. :O) I learn so much from both your's writing.
Sadly what I think is lacking in the Baptist churches (and many Protestant churches) is a focus on the Lord's Supper. Generally it's relegated to a once-a-month type affair at the end of some service. To be sure different groups treat it differently. I believe John Piper has it every Sunday but he's the rare exception rather than the norm.
Anyway, it's been a very good experience. The readings of the Law and Gospel help me a lot. His sermons, as near as I can tell, follow these. Scripture matters to me, but I don't trust myself to figure many things out because I know I don't know what I need to know to interpret many things properly, so it's good to have someone I have confidence in help me in that way. A couple of weeks ago the Gospel reading was from Peter, concerning elders and their responsibilities and "youngers" and their responsibilities. There is of course tension, as usual, but he addressed the issues clearly.
A good shepherd to me is like the Scripture that speaks of a good woman being more valuable than rubies. I've known quite a few priests in my life, but not one that had the combination of qualities that I so needed. Either they were orthodox and all authority, or they were liberal, and you had to ask if you were in a Catholic church, and what were those women doing on the altar with white robes looking like Robert Schuller in drag?
And yes, FK is dogged, but then what would you expect from a good lawyer?
And that's when I'm really caught up by being only 7 days behind! :)
Sadly what I think is lacking in the Baptist churches (and many Protestant churches) is a focus on the Lord's Supper. Generally it's relegated to a once-a-month type affair at the end of some service. To be sure different groups treat it differently. I believe John Piper has it every Sunday but he's the rare exception rather than the norm.
Yes, regretfully what you describe is exactly how it is practiced in my own church. I would be very supportive of any movement to have it every Sunday. I love participating in the Lord's Supper.