This is the third installment of blogs I penned while spending time with overseas workers during the month of January. Not all of these blogs are specifically about “missions,” but are topics raised during my time spent with these workers.
Mentorship is all the rage. Everyone wants to be “mentored” and not a few people want to be a “mentor.” And mentorship has easily found its way into forms of discipleship among evangelicals. Fundamental to … [Read More]
I Was Never “Mentored”: A Report from the Field, Part 3
An Open Letter to Closed Communionists: A Report from the Field, Part 2
This is the second part of a series I drafted while visiting overseas workers in the month of January. In my first post I offered a challenge to the SBC regarding our support of the IMB. This post gets at an entirely different issue upon which I reflected in the international context.
A colleague and I were recently overseas and on the Lord’s day we gathered with a group of believers who meet in a … [Read More]
When Words Aren’t Enough: A Report from the Field, Part 1
For much of the month of January, a colleague and I have been in an international setting serving with overseas workers. We have worked together daily in an educational context, and I have been reminded continually of the significance of the Great Commission. To say I am impressed by the workers of our mission board is an understatement, but I don’t want to embarrass my friends by being overly effusive about their labors. None of … [Read More]
Matt Chandler’s Testimony in the Midst of Cancer
Eric Gorski of the Associated Press has written an excellent article on Matt Chandler titled “Brain Cancer Tests a Young Pastor’s Faith.” The article has been reprinted in a number of major media outlets (our link will take you to MSNBC). We would urge you to read about how one young Southern Baptist pastor is responding in a gospel-centered way to his cancer; he is a role model for all of us. We would also … [Read More]
A City Within A City: The 20/20 Collegiate Conference at SEBTS
This coming Friday and Saturday (February 5-6) SEBTS will host its annual 20/20 Collegiate Conference. This year’s theme is A City Within A City: Church, Culture & Counter-Culture. A list of this year’s plenary speakers is below. In addition to the plenary sessions, breakout sessions will be led by SEBTS faculty members such as Bruce Ashford, David Nelson, Alvin Reid, Nathan Finn, Heath Thomas, Ed Gravely, Mark Liederbach, and George Robinson (among many others).
It is not too late to register. … [Read More]
Will the GCR only include people who fit a certain style?
This question was asked to “me” publicly in the Biblical Recorder by Steve Davis, pastor of a really exciting NC church, Spout Springs Church, in Cameron. Here is the original question, and here is an answer (though, I must add, though I am on the task force, I am not an officially recognized spokesperson for the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force, hereafter “GCR.”)
I can certainly understand Steve’s question… and hate that it has to be asked. … [Read More]
Between the Times is on Twitter
Between the Times is now on Twitter. You can follow us at http://www.twitter.com/BetweenTheTimes.
With Whom Can My Church Cooperate?
In the past few days, I have had several fruitful conversations with seminarians, pastors, and prospective church planters about the nature of interchurch cooperation. One topic that has frequently arisen is that of cooperation with other churches in a given city or county. Specifically, mission-minded Southern Baptists want to know with whom their church can in good conscience cooperate, particularly in church planting. It’s a good and timely question.
Before proceeding much further, I need to … [Read More]
Five Preaching Role Models, Part 2
In my last post, I shared my conviction that preachers become better preachers primarily through two means: regular pulpit experience and learning from good preaching role models. I shared my first two role models, Drs. Adrian Rogers and Jerry Vines. I continue in many ways to be shaped by their early example. It was a great joy to enroll in seminary and finally have the chance to hear both of these brothers preach in person. … [Read More]
Five Preaching Role Models, Part 1
I am thankful for the two preaching classes I took in seminary. I’m also thankful for many of the fine preaching books I’ve read over the years. And I’m thankful for many of the preaching conferences I’ve attended. Each of these tools has contributed to my own DNA as a preacher.
Though I am thankful for classes, books, and conferences, I am not convinced that any of them “make” a man a preacher, let alone a … [Read More]
