I Didn’t Waste MLK Day

by | Jan 29, 2008 | Christian Living, Culture, Ecclesiology, Ethnic Issues

Admittedly, I normally waste Martin Luther King Day. I can’t say that I’ve read any significant biography of Dr. King. I’ve probably never taken the day to think about his accomplishments or the implications of them. Normally, I have a normal Monday on MLK day. I don’t think that makes me a racist (perhaps I am and am merely in denial -I just don’t think so). I don’t take off on President’s Day either. I don’t celebrate Washington’s birthday. It never crosses my mind. I have wasted tons of July 4 celebrations – in terms of spending the day in patriotic reflection. If anything, my normal lack of reflection on MLK day – or any other national holiday – says more about my lack of being intentional about my life than it does any racial tendencies. Even so, I did not wast this past MLK day. Last Monday, I did in fact go to the office for our normal Monday pastors’ meeting and then left at mid-day to go home. I spent the rest of the day reading through the 9 Marks e-journal (I saved it for this day) on the Church’s response to racism. I was incredibly blessed by it. For me, the greatest articles in the journal were D. A. Carson’s article, “Five Steps for Racial Reconciliation on Sunday at 11 a.m.” This was one of the more balanced and biblical reflections on a Christian response to ethnic discrimination that I have read. Thabiti Anyabwile’s “Many Ethnicities, One Race.” Well articulated, thoroughly biblical, and if heeded, would change the language in which we speak of race, or...

Willow Creek Repents?

by | Dec 15, 2007 | Ecclesiology

This is old news, but is initial evidence of a growing phenomenon we are seeing among the most influential seeker churches.  Perhaps it will highlight a pendulum swing back toward a Bible-saturated and gospel centered local church ministry movement. Willow Creek...

Elders and Baptists

by | Aug 9, 2007 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues

A few weeks ago, I finished a little booklet by our favorite living Baptist pastor-theologian, Mark Dever called By Whose Authority? I don’t intend this to be a formal review of the booklet as much as a plea that you get not one, but many copies of it. Have one copy to devour personally and have several more to use in a group study as soon as you are able and many more copies to hand out. After reading a few comments from another famous and influential Baptist suggesting that elders aren’t all that necessary (since they aren’t named specifically in the BF&M), I may even make sure that I send a copy to him. A tiny bit of background on my part as to why I found this book so very refreshing and helpful. I pastored a small Southern Baptist Church in Texas from 1988 to 1997. I loved that congregation (and still love those who were there) with all that was in me. I began my eight and ½ years there at age 18 as an associate pastor. I became the Senior pastor and the junior age of 20. I followed my mentor in ministry, Dr. J. C. Traweek, who had planted churches and pastored for over fifty years. Before his resigning from our church and his subsequent passing on to glory, he had begun to set up what he called “an eldership” in our church. It consisted of the younger “preacher boys” (all were older than me by some fifteen to thirty years) and some of the prominent men in the church. He met with them...

Money, Markets, and Ministryd

by | Jul 23, 2007 | Ecclesiology, Miscellaneous, Pastoral Ministry

Have you read Desiring God’s article on their approach to ministry and money?  I finished this booklet yesterday and found it intriguing and am considering the implications of it for personal life and ministry.  To be quite honest, I support a number of different ministries financially, yet none other than Desiring God has been this purposeful and open with their resources.  I appreciate their approach and the God-centered passion and dependence they demonstrate. Any thoughts? Money, Markets, and Ministry :: Desiring...