If you’ve got about $13 and a little extra time on your hands, I recommend you pick up The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller. It’s not long at all — about 133 pages, but the pages are small to begin with and there is a lot of white space on the pages. In other words, it goes quickly (for you non-book readers). But it has the potential of profoundly affecting your view of Christianity, whether or not you’re a Christian.
If you click on the picture of the book or book title above, it’ll open up a window to the Westminster Bookstore, where I have found it at the cheapest price.
I’ll definitely be blogging on it in the coming days…
If you’ve got January 7-10 free, you may want to consider attending the OIL (One In Love) Conference in Montrose, PA. It’s an intense time of biblical teaching, worship, and prayer. I’ll be giving a seminar this year on family life entitled, “Bringing the Gospel Home”. For more information, click the picture above.
Filed under: church
This video was played at the recent Desiring God Conference, The Power of Words and the Wonder of God. If you regular attend church and yet have never experienced something similar to what is depicted in the video, you’re uncommon. I’m thinking of showing it at church this Sunday.
Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York. He is jokingly considered the “Godfather” of the Acts 29 Network’s church planting movement. Here he shares about “Characteristics of the Missional Church”.
Though I’m one year into church planting with Immanuel, I know that I have a lot to learn in order to lead the church plant more effectively. In light of this, I signed up for a Church Planting Boot Camp being sponsored by the Acts 29 Network. Here is a rundown of the sessions and speakers :
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Session #1: “Leading the Mission” – Darrin Patrick
Session #2: “Preaching the Mission” – Mark Driscoll
Session #3: “Missional & Biblical Church Planting” – Ed Stetzer
Session #4: “Kingdom-Focused Church Planting ” – Ed Stetzer
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Session #5: “Church Planting Evangelism” – Mark Dever
Session #6: “Gospel-Centered Theology” – Mark Driscoll
Session #7: “Vision for Church Planting” – Scott Thomas
Session #8: Question and Answer with planters Darrin Patrick and Scott Thomas
Darrin Patrick is Pastor and Founder of The Journey in St. Louis, MO
Mark Driscoll is Pastor of Mars Hill Church and President of Acts 29
Ed Stetzer is Director of Lifeway Research
Mark Dever is Pastor of Captiol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC
Scott Thomas is Pastor of Global Church Missions of Mars Hill Church & Director of Acts 29
I really want to be sharpened through this experience, and despite some of these men being relatively young, I know that they bring with them plenty of experience in missional thinking and gospel-centered theology. Since Immanuel’s desire is to be a gospel-centered, missional church, I think this conference will be especially helpful.
As Immanuel seeks to be a Gospel-centered church, here are some of the implications of that :
1. That we would read the whole Bible as the Gospel (a la Luke 24)
2. That we would preach and teach the Gospel to believers, not just unbelievers
3. That we would preach and teach the Gospel in every sermon and every lesson
4. That we would see the gospel as both the “milk” and the “meat” of God’s word
5. That we would study theology and doctrine to better understand the Gospel, because all theology is Gospel theology
6. That we would view the world, the church, and ourselves through the lens of the Gospel
7. That we would believe the Gospel can change anyone, including ourselves
8. That we would seek to solve all problems (personal, church, social) with the Gospel
9. That we would love others through the Gospel
10. That we would display the beauty of the Gospel by helping others in need through acts of mercy and generosity
As a church, we are learning how the Gospel is not just the entrance into the Christian life, but that it is the key to everything. Though this is a new way of seeing things for many in the church, my prayer is that the Lord would grant us the diligence to really pursue a deeper understanding and experience of the Gospel. Some have said, “It’s a lot to think about…”, or “It takes too much work…”, or “I’m too lazy…” But that’s when we have to remember Jesus’ call to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lord, help us!
Filed under: church
I read the following excerpt in an article entitled, “Crucial Issues in Gospel and Community” by Jeff Louie. I was simultaneously challenged and encouraged by these words, and find that I am going to need much prayer for the task ahead of me. Furthermore, I realize how much my life will need to be transformed in this process — I need strength, patience, perseverance, and I must “bleed the gospel ideals”. Hmmmph. Although I am early in this process of moving Immanuel Community Church toward gospel-centeredness, I wholeheartedly agree with what he says towards the end : “But is it worth it? Definitely, yes!” Amen! May the Lord grant that my joy would not just be wrapped up in my own grasping of the beautiful gospel, but also in seeing my precious brothers and sisters embracing it in their hearts and lives.
The Cost of Moving a Church Toward Gospel-Centeredness
The transformation of an existing church toward a gospel-centeredness will require a high degree of commitment, and perseverance by the leadership and especially by the lead pastor. It can take months, but more like years of commitment. The lead pastor must not only support the gospel ideals, but he must bleed the gospel ideals. He is not to relegate the work to an assistant pastor, but must be totally committed and involve himself.
The leadership needs to have a high degree of spiritual strength, as many in the congregation will not understand where you are taking them. There will be those who catch on quickly, those in the middle who will follow whatever happens, but also those who are resistant to change. People attached themselves to an existing church, because they liked that church’s culture when they joined. If that culture is being changed, you will hear disparaging comments.
You will hear all sorts of excuses:
“We can’t show compassion, because we are not ready.” When will you be ready? Isn’t “loving our neighbor” the second greatest commandment? It is not an option. Beware that you don’t use this excuse, only to discover that nothing is done 5 years later.
“We are too small of a church.” It is not a matter whether you can implement ministries to change your community. We are not called to “change” our community. But we are called to “love” the people around us. We may, or may not bring a lasting effect. That is up to God. Some churches are bigger and can do more. Churches with lots of strong adults can do more building. Churches with seniors can do more mentoring. Congregations with intellectuals can do more tutoring.
“We won’t be effective, because the people in our neighborhood are different from the people at the church; we would do better to help our own kind.” There are aspects of effectiveness in ministry when the person you help is like yourself. But if you limit yourself to this, and use it as an excuse to do nothing toward the immediate needs of the people around you, then something is wrong. This is not what the second greatest commandment is about. I can’t imagine the Good Samaritan saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t speak your language. I show compassion, but only to my own kind; it’s a matter of effectiveness.” Beware that we do not make “cultural-pride” and “effectiveness” synonymous.
The lead pastor may need to risk his own job for the sake of gospel transformation. This is not another ministry to be added on top of what usually happens at the church. Some will not understand why you are declaring bold truths. Other will claim that you are headed toward a liberal social gospel. There will be times of misunderstanding, bouts of sadness. In the seventeen years at Sunset Church, I estimate that I have been sad at least 25% of the time.
But is it worth it? Definitely, yes! We do not serve ourselves, or institutions. We serve the living God who will judge the works of our hands. We need to stand before the Lord knowing that we strove to represent him in the fullness of his gospel.
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