A couple of weeks ago, Doug Baker of the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger conducted a podcast interview with Union University President and GCR Task Force member David Dockery. The transcript of that interview is now available online. Dr. Dockery provides some of the most balanced thoughts that we’ve heard related to SBC history in general and the GCR movement in particular. We would urge our readers to listen to the podcast and/or read the transcript.
Gospel, Church, and City (3): The Gospel Invades and Transforms the City
In the second and third sessions of the Greenhouse Church Planter’s CoOp, we (1) set forth the gospel by tracing the four major plot movements in Christian Scripture: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation; and (2) talked about the gospel’s implications for humanity, the church, and the city. The CoOp had assigned those attending to read portions of Tim Keller’s Church Planting Manual, so we used some of Keller’s material, modifying it a bit and … [Read More]
Gospel, Church, and City (2): The Gospel Smashes a Church Planter’s Idols
In the first session of the Greenhouse Church Planter’s CoOp, we talked about the importance of a church planter’s submission to Jesus in all aspects of his life and ministry. I taught from Luke 14:25-33, in which Jesus makes clear that a disciple is one who loves Jesus more than any of life’s other loves—even more than wife and family and friends. Our love for him is to transcend and even position all of life’s … [Read More]
Gospel, Church, and City (1): What I Learned in Nashville at the Greenhouse CoOp
This past weekend, I went to Nashville to teach but ended up being taught.
Allow me to explain. In February, I received a call from a church planter and former student, Jeremy, who moved from Charlotte to Nashville in August 2009. He and Jill (and their three small children) moved to Nashville to make disciples and plant a church in downtown Nashville, in a lower-income, multi-racial neighborhood called Germantown. They began meeting in October as … [Read More]
What is the Missional Gospel? Part 7: Concluding Thoughts, Challenge to Define, and Timely Question
What is the Missional Gospel? Part 7: Concluding Thoughts, Challenge to Define, and Timely Question
By Keith Whitfield
(2) Being missional is living a life that is shaped by the Mission of God
With the broadening of the idea of mission, we must have a clear understanding of the relationship between the missio Dei and the mission of God’s people/the church. This is not a new concern. Many have offered proposals on the relationship between the missio Dei … [Read More]
What is the Missional Gospel? Part 6: Concluding Thoughts, Challenge to Define, and Timely Question
What is the Missional Gospel? Part 6: Concluding Thoughts, Challenge to Define, and Timely Question
By Keith Whitfield
Note: A couple of weeks ago we published five articles in a series by Keith Whitfield titled “What is the Missional Gospel?” We noted at that time that some concluding thoughts would be forthcoming. Over the next two days we will publish Keith’s final two articles, which wrap this series. For those just now tuning in, Keith is the … [Read More]
So What Do You Think about Deacons?
As a historian and observer of Baptist life, I know there are widely divergent diaconal practices and traditions among different SBC churches. I’m curious as to what our readers think about deacons and their ministry. In what type of service should they be engaged? Should they serve for life or have term limits? Is there a scenario wherein female deacons are appropriate? Should deacons be ordained? Does divorce (or certain types of divorce) disqualify someone … [Read More]
Time Magazine Speaks to Evangelicals
Note: Chuck Lawless is Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and President of the Lawless Group, a church consulting firm. The article below was originally published earlier today at his personal blog. Dr. Lawless has graciously given us permission to republish his excellent article at Between the Times.
I don’t recall fearing writing a blog, but this one scares me.
This week, Time magazine published its annual special … [Read More]
David Dockery on the GCRTF
We at BtT invite you to view David Dockery’s podcast about the GCR, which can be accessed by visiting www.baptistmessenger.com or by clicking on the link provided in the full text edition of this blogpost. In the podcast, facilitated by Doug Baker, Dockery answers questions about the initial progress report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force which was first presented on February 22 to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Deep Church // A Review
I wanted to commend to you a new book I just finished reading over the weekend, Jim Belcher’s Deep Church. The book is a good one… somewhere between good and great… on the great side of good though not necessarily on the awesome side of great… (Blogs are great because you can write ‘stream of consciousness…’)
The phrase “Deep Church” comes from an offhand reference by C. S. Lewis to describe the kind of church that … [Read More]
