ReformationUnderway

Pastor Erik Raymond has a brief quote from Tim Keller, and it will resonate with anyone contemplating the task and ministry of church planting. Here’s the line that really nailed me:

I realized that it was an illusion to imagine that I would have to start being brave if I took this job; I should have been living bravely all along.

It also brought me back to something that I heard D.A. Carson mention with emphasis last weekend. It’s not something I haven’t read or heard referenced dozens of times in the past, but it should never be far from my mind or yours. It’s from Matt. 16:18: “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Where the establishment and progress and preservation of the church are concerned, the burden of success does not fall ultimately upon the words, deeds, actions or personality of any man, be he a pastor or elder or other leader. It is Christ who will build His Church and though He has chosen to work through us, no man and no thing will bring down the Church.
May we live faithfully in the confidence that it is Christ our Savior on whom we depend as we serve His Church.

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Church, Missions, Leadership

Nothing demonstrates leadership the way firm, sure decisions do. Right? And the next sure sign of leadership is to mock those in similar positions who make the opposite decision from your own!

Get a load of this guy. So, you pastor a church in Atlanta, Georgia. There's winter weather in the area, and some churches, as of Saturday morning, had already cancelled Sunday services. Not MY church, he exclaims in his blog. "Unless a blizzard comes, we are having church just like normal. If a blizzard comes, we are still having church."

That was at 10:59 am Saturday. Fast forward four hours and twenty-one minutes:

Due to the weather we will NOT be having church services on Sunday, January 20th. The weather channels are all predicting temperatures dropping well below freezing tonight which could lead to the possibilities of black ice on the roads. As much as we would love to have church and worship together, we are not willing to risk the safety of those who call Revolution home.

Some say that a good leader is one who makes a great second decision, so cut Gary Lamb some slack. Besides, he cites several justifications for the change of direction. The first one should tell everyone that THIS is the MAN you want to follow into the battle! Why is canceling services the right move? Yes, this is a direct quote: "Barry Manilow canceled his concert in Atlanta tonight."

Then there's the third post (9:38 pm) on this topic, in which Gary continues to question himself publicly for deciding to call off church.

Thank you Gary Lamb for brightening my Saturday evening!

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Church Leadership, Snowed Out

John Piper today shared a needed and heartfelt reminder to pray with a focus on the global reach of the Gospel of Christ. He directs readers to the Operation World web site for daily direction in this regard, and it does indeed look like a great resource to inform and guide our prayers.

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Prayer, Missions