The contemporary SBC is in many ways quite different from the 1979 version of the denomination. I think most readers would agree. I believe there are at least 15 factors that have influenced this change. These factors are not equal in influence, and some of them overlap. Furthermore, there are probably several other factors I have not considered (I welcome your thoughts on that). Over the next few days I will briefly discuss the factors … [Read More]
The Church Planter’s Library (4): Global and Cultural Context
A good missiologist (whether North American or International) is first and foremost a theologian, but also a student of other disciplines such as world religions, cultural anthropology, history, current affairs, and anything else he can get his hands on in order to understand his context. By studying world religions, the missiologist learns to understand the core beliefs and religious practices of those to whom he will minister. From cultural anthropology, he learns to pay careful … [Read More]
The Church Planter’s Library (3): International Church Planting
The apostle Paul was at once the early church’s best theologian, most perceptive observer of culture, and most active evangelist. As an embodiment of these traits, he provides for us an example of the qualities demanded of an international church planter. He must be both theologically and culturally savvy. He must be a theoretician and a practitioner. He sometimes is asked to be both a church planter and a one-man seminary.
Precisely because of these expectations, … [Read More]
10,000 Hours of Preaching: Outliers
Been reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. One of the points that he makes is that you don’t generally become really good at something until you’ve done it for at least 10,000 hours. I was reflecting on that regarding preaching… and I could not agree more.
All the theorizing, the books, the listening to sermons of ‘the experts’… nothing replaces just preaching and preaching and preaching. When I first got into preaching, I preached absolutely any … [Read More]
The Church Planter’s Library (2): North American Church Planting & Renewal
North American church planting and renewal is not for wimps, dummies, or dorks. In order to plant and revitalize churches in 21st century America, we need men who are strong in their walk with the Lord, strong as husbands and fathers, and strong in perseverance. Further, the church needs men whose mind is buttressed by sound theology and missiology. Third, we need men who are culturally savvy, having a ready gasp of their socio-cultural context … [Read More]
The Church Planter’s Library (1): Introduction
On Tuesday mornings, I drink and read. By 7:30 a.m., I am sitting around the table in my conference room with a rowdy group of guys, including some of the best students on campus. We start off by drinking coffee (unless Bryan Laughlin makes the coffee, in which case we actually cut it into squares and chew it), cracking jokes, and catching up, but soon we get down to business, discussing how to take the gospel … [Read More]
Baptist Identity at 400
As many of our readers know, 2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement. In honor of this historic year, Doug Baker of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina recently conducted a Koinonia Podcast on the topic “Baptist Identity at 400.” The panelists for the podcast include the following:
James Leo Garrett, Distinguished Professor of Theology Emeritus at Southwestern Seminary
David Dockery, President of Union University
Greg Wills, Professor of Church History and Director of the Center … [Read More]
Southeastern President Issues Challenge to Support International Missions with “Christmas in August”
WAKE FOREST, N.C. – In the midst of tough economic times Southern Baptists are being challenged to dig deeply and financially support international missions by giving to a special Lottie Moon Christmas offering during August.
Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., said on Tuesday, June 23, at the Southern Baptist Convention that it is his desire to see Southeastern students, alumni and friends, and eventually all of the Southern Baptist … [Read More]
Global Context: On India, Calvinists, and cow-dung shampoo
In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India
Should you read In Spite of the Gods? That depends. If you’ve never heard a man compare militant Hindus to Calvinists, then yes. This will be amusing. If you are looking for a book that gives a riveting narrative of the rise of modern India, the answer is yes. If you want a book that is well researched and interspersed with colorful and humorous vignettes observed first … [Read More]
