“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” I Corithians 3:2
“A decade ago teens were coming to church youth group to play, coming for the entertainment, coming for the pizza. They’re not even coming for the pizza anymore. They say, ‘We don’t see the church as relevant, as meeting our needs or where we need to be today.’ ” Thom Rainer in … [Read More]
Alvin Reid
| Website: | http://alvinreid.com |
| Email: | areid@sebts.edu |
Recent Posts
A Generation of Carnivores
Aug 27th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
Practical Darwinism
Aug 23rd, 2010 by Alvin Reid
“Doing what little one can to increase the general stock of knowledge is as respectable an object of life, as one can in any likelihood pursue.” Charles Darwin
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Darwin
“The animal species, in which individual struggle has been reduced to its narrowest limits, and the practice of mutual aid has … [Read More]
Ecology and Theology: Investing in Sustainable Ministry
Jul 13th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
In 2005 an organization called the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) began with 40 organizations committed. Today over 1,000 have signed on, from universities to ecological groups. More than a few researchers consider the concept of sustainability—from renewable energy to viable long term jobs—one of the key megatrends, ranking up there with information technology and globalization.(1)
If you google synonyms for “sustainable” you will find the following. Note the two categories:
Synonyms: maintainable, … [Read More]
Why Attend the Southern Baptist Convention?
May 11th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
1985.
Dallas, Texas.
45,000 Messengers.
Focus: A resurgence of conviction regarding the Word of God.
I picked an interesting year to attend my first SBC annual meeting. I was a 26-year-old pastor with little practical knowledge of the inner workings of the convention. As a student in seminary at the time I loved class, but I had a disdain for meetings.
It took a lot to get me there. “Just let me be and let me lead a church” was … [Read More]
Spiritual Awakening, Early Adopters, and the GCR
Apr 29th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
“If you think you’re leading and no one is following you, then you’re only taking a walk.” Afghan proverb
Movements need leaders, bold people who have an idea for change worth following. But for movements to grow, they need more. They need first followers. They must have early adopters.
A lot of people today talk about spiritual awakening and the need for revival. Not a bad thing. But when you look beneath the surface, the rhetoric often … [Read More]
Articulation: Of Movements, Clarity, and the GCR
Apr 25th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
On a cold Halloween night long ago a lone figure walked along the path near the Elbe River in what is now Germany. As he neared the door of the Castle Church, parchment in hand, he knew his action in the coming moments would cause a stir. But he certainly could not have imagined the impact of the movement he was about to advance. Weary of the institutionalism and failed theological views of the established church … [Read More]
Chick Fil-A, Student Pastors, and the GCR
Apr 22nd, 2010 by Alvin Reid
This week I had the honor to be with about 50 student pastors from the largest churches in my tradition, the Southern Baptist Convention, at an annual event called Youth Metro. I enjoyed fellowship with former (and future) students, old friends, and making many new ones. I also had the joy of speaking on missional student ministry. I was delighted at the enthusiastic response as I challenged them to place the gospel at the … [Read More]
P90X and the Power to Change
Apr 16th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” Winston Churchill
Somewhere along the way last year, after turning 50 and getting on the scales to see I weighed more than ever in my natural life, I made a choice. I chose to stop thinking things like, “Well, after all, you are 50, and you have an artificial hip, and you know, you have a desk job.” I had all these reasons … [Read More]
Conventional Congrats
Feb 11th, 2010 by Alvin Reid
As a Southern Baptist I join many in anticipating the upcoming report from the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (GCRTF). I love our convention. I love the network we have created to get the gospel to the ends of the earth, our uncompromising stand on the truth of the Word and the greatness of the gospel, and our ability to bring together millions of believers to serve, help in times of disaster, train a … [Read More]
The Danger of Distracting Ourselves
Dec 26th, 2009 by Alvin Reid
As we come to the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 we will begin to see the greatest episodes of self-deception given at any time in a given year. More individuals lie to themselves from the end of December to the start of January than any other week. Promises about exercise, diet, moral change, renewed devotion, and the like fill our minds. For most, however, by the time mid-January arrives we find ourselves … [Read More]
