I’m looking forward to my next flight with Southwest. He kind of reminds me of the Sugarhill Gang. If you want to listen to the remix click here.
Archive for March, 2009
21
Mar
09
Rapping Flight Attendant
21
Mar
09
Extreme Sheep LED Art
Wow…amazing…I mean who thinks of this kind of stuff!
Most of you have already heard of the tragic event that happened at FBC Maryville. Please continue to pray for the Winters family…
(HT: Chris Brauns)
1. How to tell a man his wife just died.
2. How to tell a couple they should not get married.
3. How to tell a staff member he is fired.
4. How to tell my wife that I am depressed.
5. How to tell someone that he or she is foolish.
6. How to encourage someone who has given up on life.
7. How to plead with a man to stay with his wife.
8. How to give comfort to a woman whose husband just left her.
9. How to give comfort to a mother who just suffered a miscarriage.
10. How to navigate the IRS tax code for pastors.
11. How to chair an elders’ meeting.
12. How to organize and manage a church budget.
13. How to balance church responsibilities with family life.
14. How to do a wedding and a funeral.
15. How to administer the Lord’s Supper.
16. How to best use technology for the sake of the kingdom.
17. How to shield my kids from the pressures of being a PK.
(HT: Z)
9Marks has posted there March/April 2009 e-journal also available in a pdf formt. This edition is centered on practical advice for the young pastor. Below is the Editor’s Note and the table of contents.
Editors Note:
“Clear vision but little depth perception.” That’s how I’ve heard Mark Dever characterize young pastors.
Young pastors see their doctrine with utter clarity. They know exactly what a church should look like. But they don’t know how to assess what’s important, what’s really important, and what can be overlooked. Their gauges haven’t developed.
Probably, the best solution for this is plain old experience. Yet a little battle wisdom from older men can’t hurt, either. So we turned to several pastors who have walked a few miles down ministry’s road, asking them to pass on a morsel or two of counsel.
Bob Johnson and Ken Swetland talk about getting started. Matt Schmucker, Mark Dever, and Phillip Jensen offer their thoughts on making changes. Philip Ryken and Robert Norris help us persevere to the end. And a couple of younger guys, like Aaron, Greg, and me, throw in our two cents.
One word of caution about an eJournal full of practical advice: Wisdom can be found in principles of the sort you’ll find here. But wisdom always begins with a posture of heart—a heart the trusts and fears the Lord. Only this heart finds the wisdom to know which principles apply when: “Is now the time not to answer the fool according to his folly (Prov. 26:4)? Or is now the time to answer him according to his folly (Prov. 26:5)?”
Only the Lord will make your paths straight.
That means that we cannot tell you exactly how to pastor your church, unless the matter is plainly Scriptural. You’re God’s man for that job. So take what’s offered here. Consider how it might apply in your context. But above all else, guard your heart, that it would fear only him.
We’re praying for your pastoral work, reader. Pray, too, for us.
Table of Contents:
YOUNG PASTORS: WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?
A Pastor’s Priorities For Day One
So you’re a brand new pastor. What do you do when you show up at the office on Monday?
By Bob Johnson
The Goals and Benefits of an Installation Service
More than a formality, an installation service gives you a chance to set the tone for your pastorate and begin the work of shepherding.
By Aaron Menikoff
YOUNG PASTORS: WHAT DID YOU INHERIT?
8 Steps for Dealing with Difficult Leaders
What do you do when influential members of your church are—shall we say—less than helpful?
By Ken Swetland
Dealing with Bad Documents
You’re the pastor now, but the church constitution is clunky and the statement of faith is almost heretical. What do you do?
By Greg Gilbert
YOUNG PASTORS: HOW DO YOU LEAD CHANGE?
Is This a Hill Worth Dying On?
Some pastors make every dispute a hill to die on; others wouldn’t fight to save their grandmother’s life. Schmucker offers some guidance.
By Matt Schmucker
What I CAN and CANNOT Live With as a Pastor
What issues are worth fighting—or leaving—over? Are there any criteria?
By Mark Dever
Love the Church More than its Health
Pastors need to love the people in their church more than their dream of a healthy church.
By Jonathan Leeman
Should Pastors Change Anything in the First Year?
An old maxim says, “If you don’t change something in the first year you never will; and whatever you change in the first year will be a mistake.” Is that right?
By Phillip Jensen
One from the Vault: Mark Dever’s classic article from 2000, How to Change Your Church
YOUNG PASTORS: HOW TO PERSEVERE!
WWJD—What Would Jim Do?
James Montgomery Boice’s successor shares a few lessons he learned from watching a master.
By Philip Graham Ryken
Shepherding and Trust
A church doesn’t learn to trust its pastors overnight; he better be in it for the long haul.
By Robert Norris
A Pastor For Now
Why Mark loves the pastorate, but will be happy to proceed to what’s next.
By Mark Dever
MISCELLANEOUS BOOK REVIEWS
Book Review: Evangelism: Doing Justice and Preaching Grace, by Harvie M. Conn
Reviewed by Greg Gilbert
Book Review: Jesus the Evangelist, by Richard D. Phillips
Reviewed by Byron Straughn
Book Review: The Heart of Evangelism, by Jerram Barrs
Reviewed by Geoff Chang
Book Review: Vibrant Church, by Thom S. Rainer & Daniel L. Akin
Reviewed by Jonathan Leeman
Book Review: Simple Church, by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
Reviewed by Graham Shearer
AUDIO—LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS
On Books with D.A. Carson
Posted on February 25th, 2008
Mark Dever asks D.A. Carson for a tour of how he writes and what he’s written.
Christian Discipleship and Growth with Donald Whitney
Posted on January 25th, 2008
Don Whitney discusses busyness, praying through Scripture, the disciplines, mysticism, and more.
Thabiti Anyabwhile gives seven reasons why the hype and attention over TIME magazine’s listing of the New Calvinism may not be a good thing. In this list he includes the potential for christian celebrity(ism) and making biblical truth a fad. Anyabwile brings up some serious concerns. I’ve listed one of the seven below. Read his whole post here.
3. The media attention forces some superficial attempts at self-definition, and the inevitable result are “camps” of Reformed types. Add a little carnality, and then you’ll hear folks saying they’re of Paul, or Appolos, or Peter, or Dever, or C.J., or MacArthur, or Driscoll, or the really, really Reformed, etc when those men weren’t even looking for groupies. We need a strong confessional center with the charity that celebrates secondary and tertiary distinctives. Which is why I am so encouraged by this group and the work of these friends and this growing fellowship.
17
Mar
09
World Builder
I apologize for not being able to post. These next couple of weeks are pretty busy with mid-terms and papers so the posting will be very limited. I did run into this short film on the net. If you know me by now I love creative short films and this is one of the most amazing ones I’ve come across in a long time. This film is called World Builder and was created by Bruce Branit. Branit has done work on a number of television shows including abc’s hit show LOST.
Branit:
A strange man uses holographic tools to build a world for the woman he loves. This is a short by filmmaker Bruce Branit known also as the co-creator of 405.
I had mixed emotions about this Christian satire. One, the dude used a name close to my last name and had to use one of the great church fathers in Christian history. Two, I started to have flash backs of my time at Liberty University (I won’t go any further than that…). While watching this video I found the message to be uncomfortably true and an accurate reflection of what is going on in some of our churches today.
(HT: Slice of Laodicea)
What!? Never would I have thought of Calvinism being on the same list as “Survival Stores” yet TIME Magazines cover story puts the “New Calvinism” as being one of the 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now. David Van Biema’s article is short but overall is a fair and pretty accurate analysis of the movement. Some figures he has mentioned are: Mark Driscoll, Al Mohler, John Piper. He even mentions the ESV Study Bible and Justin Taylor’s Between Two Worlds blog. Although I don’t think that the “New Calvinism” should be on the list it is still pretty cool that it’s on there. The new calvinism may be on the rise but it is hardly changing the face of evangelicalism much less the world.
- Jobs Are the New Assets
- Recycling the Suburbs
- The New Calvinism
- Reinstating the Interstate
- Amortality
- Africa, Business Destination
- The Rent-a-Country
- Biobanks
- Survival Stores
- Ecological Intelligence
(HT: JT)
My wife and I don’t have any children at the moment but I’m glad books like this are being written for us to go to.
With The Prince’s Poison Cup, Dr. R. C. Sproul continues his series of books designed to present deep biblical truths to children on their own level. In this work, he focuses on the atonement to show that Jesus had to endure the curse of sin in order to redeem His people from their spiritual death. He recently completed this interview:
What was the inspiration for The Prince’s Poison Cup?
My children’s stories are designed to teach significant biblical concepts using foundational biblical texts that ultimately end up as the framework of a story. The Prince’s Poison Cup refers to the cup of God’s wrath that Jesus had to drink. Through this story I am attempting to communicate the terrible price that Jesus had to pay for our redemption by being willing to drink that awful cup. This story is about Gethsemane and about the cross.
What is the youngest suitable age for this story?
3-7 year olds.
Christian Audio is offering Donald Whitney’s classic book Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life. Let me tell you up front that this is an essential for every believer and I don’t just say that lightly. I have read this book and it is one to keep close to you. It is probably one of the most readable and practical books when it comes to applying biblical principles to your life. Take advantage of this offer but I would also encourage you to go ahead and purchase the book. It is well worth your money.
Ed Stetzer has been posting an interview with Andy Stanley on communication which is centered around his book Communicating for a Change. Andy Stanley is a church ministry guru for lack of a better term. He is currently serving as pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA. I first heard of Andy Stanley in my church ministry class at Liberty University and one of the first things I noticed was how effective and engaging of a communicator he was. Although I don’t agree with his flavor of ministry there may be some things we could learn from him. Below are the first three parts. Ed Stetzer will be posting a couple more.
So, if we want to know whether we should read the Bible through the lens of law or promise, demand or provision, burden or gift, command or grace, we can just start reading on page one and see which comes first. And in fact, promise comes first, in God’s word to Abram in Genesis 12. Then the law is added later, in Exodus 20. The category “promise” establishes the larger, wraparound framework for everything else added in along the way.
The deepest message of the Bible is the promises of God through grace. The Bible presents itself to us this way. The laws and commands and examples and warnings are all there. We must revere them. But they do not provide the hermeneutic with which we make sense of the whole. We can and should understand them as qualified by God’s gracious promise in Christ.
12
Mar
09
Critical Thinking 101
Apologetics 315 has pointed out a sweet resource on critical thinking. A discipline many of us such as myself would do well to sharpen in light of today’s many worldviews. This site has over 100 different tutorials such as recognizing falacies, exploring logic, and analyzing arguments to name a few. There are also pdfs available such as this mini critical thinking guide and to top it off it is all FREE!
David Mathis over at the Desiring God blog has posted a much needed reminder for myself as a relatively new husband. I can’t wait to share this with my wife!
A staff member at Bethlehem asked Pastor John what one or two main things he wants to say to an engaged couple in premarital counseling. His answer is relevant for marriages new and old:
Be joyfully, brokenheartedly, shaped by the death of Christ for you.
Do you both feel the fearfulness of how the death of Christ witnesses to your unspeakable unworthiness to be loved—that it took this much suffering and indignity to the Son of God for you to be saved. And do you both feel the wonder of being forgiven owing to nothing in you?
If you do, it will profoundly shape your patience with each other’s shortcomings (which you will find to be more than you ever dreamed).
Get really clear the meaning of headship and submission.
Husband, tremble at the implications of Ephesians 5:25-30.
Wife, tremble at the implications of Ephesians 5:21-24.
Understand this and glory in the greatness of the calling to be married for the sake of showing the world the covenant faithfulness between Christ and his church.
I’m looking forward to this documentary. Be sure to check out the official site. I have posted some “Abortion Conversation” videos below. In these videos Stephen Wagner, a bio-ethics speaker and a pro-life advocate interviews and interacts with students at Arizona State University on the topic of abortion. For more on Stephen Wagner click here and here. He also has his own blog as well.
What is the Unborn?
The Right to Choose
Greek scholar Bill Mounce tackles the not-so-clear of a text 1 Timothy 3:2. See his thoughts on this issue here.
(HT: Sic et Non)
(HT: Sic et Non)
In the second part of 059 of the Boundless Podcast Dr. Al Mohler discusses the topic of social media. It starts on 24:48 and ends around 45:30.
(HT: JT)
David Wilkerson, founder of World Challenge has prophesied of a catastrophic event soon to come. I first read about Wilkerson’s prediction at World Net Daily. As believers we are called to test any so called prophecies. Piper conludes…
So my take on this prophetic word is that the scare will probably do good for a lot of people. The Bible is a scary book. And the future that is coming on unbelievers is scary beyond anything any preacher could conjure up.
But my own effort to be discerning says: Stick with the Bible, David. It is scary enough. And it is absolutely true. And your credibility will never fall.
In light of the recent shooting at FBC Maryville Mark Driscoll has brought up some questions for thought about the safety of pastors and the congregation. As outspoken and popular as Mark Driscoll is he does have credit to him about this issue. Pray for your pastor and your church to stand firm in the gospel and without fear.
In addition, this is a very concerning and sober occasion for pastors and other church leaders to examine if they are in fact doing all they can to ensure the safety of their flock and church leaders. I personally have had people try to get on stage to fight me during sermons, someone pull a machete and rush the stage while I was preaching before being stopped by security, and I have preached under threat of death via anonymous email in years past; still, I do not believe we should minister in panic but rather with wise caution.
Stuff Christians Like has a church hopping point system to gage how problematic this issue may be in your life. Hopefully you scored low to 0 points. Find a church, serve the church, love the church, and be patient.
Tim Challies has written an insightful piece about one drawback of accountability. This concerns all Christians seeking to be found blameless before Christ and man even for those in pursuit of this through accountability. Below is an excerpt:
As much as there has been great personal benefit in these times of accountability and in living with the specter of accountability, I’ve seen as well that there is one drawback; not surprisingly, it is a drawback related to my own sin. A little while ago I was reading a book review by Erik Raymond and thought he brought this out so succinctly. “Accountability is often quite helpful,” he said. “However, many times folks end up fearing their ‘accountability partner’ while remaining numbly void of a healthy fear of God. This does not kill the root of sin, but unwittingly increases a fear of man (idolatry).”
Dr. Michael Horton has audio lecture available free of charge from his Sunday School classes at Christ United Reformed Church. Below are the topics available:
- Intro to Systematic Theology
- Six Major Arguments of the Book of Romans
- Nine Points of Synod: “Response to the New Perspective on Paul”
- The Ascention
- Resurrection Evidences
- Our Worship
- Christianity and Culture
- God and Suffering
(HT: A-Team)
This morning Pastor Fred Winters was shot during a worship service at First Baptist Maryville, Ill. This happened while many of us were in church. Please pray for the congregation of FBC Maryville as well as the family of Fred Winters. Pastor Winters was an alumnus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Below are links to some of the news reports covering this story.
Dr. Fred Winters was shot to death while preaching in the 8:15 am Worship Service at First Baptist Maryville, Ill. A former President of the Illinois Baptist State Convention, Dr. Winters serves as Senior Pastor and also teaches adjunctively at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Fred and Cindy Lee (nee Jackson) were married September 12, 1987, and they have two children: Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope. Pray for this precious family.
Our prayers are with the church family along with the Winters Family. You can see more on this story here, here, and here.
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