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.

Technorati Tags:
Church, Missions, Leadership

What can I say? I'm an Aggie, so when I saw this, I just had to pass it along... Coming soon to a Missions Conference near you!



"Whaddaya MEAN you wanna paint the sanctuary?!?"

Gig'em!

Technorati Tags:
Evangelism, Missions

Dan Phillips, he of TeamPyro, has a very interesting post today recounting his encounter last weekend with a pair of Mormon missionaries. Based on his account, I wonder if the Mormons aren't slipping in the preparation of missionaries? In my experience, they are typically very well "catechized" (if I may borrow that term) in the doctrines of the LDS church. Have you encountered Mormon missionaries who seemed as poorly prepared for responding to elementary questions as the two Dan describes?

Technorati Tags:
Evangelism, Mormonism, Mormons

I count him as a friend, and he's got big news. Erik Raymond, the Patriots fan behind the blog Irish Calvinist, and an Associate Pastor at Omaha Bible Church, has been given a new charge by the elders of OBC. He will be the lead pastor of their new OBC | South Campus. You can read Erik's thoughts on the new work here.

Technorati Tags:
Missions, Church Planting

John Calvin, along with other Reformers and contemporary adherents of Reformed doctrine, has long had the charge leveled against him that he cared little, if any, about evangelism and missions. Frank James, III, a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, published a paper in 2001 which does a great service for the cause of reforming Calvin's reputation. It is a short paper, and you should most definitely take the time to read
Calvin the Evangelist.

(H/T: Tony Reinke)

Technorati Tags:
Calvin, Reformed Theology, Missions

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.

Technorati Tags:
Prayer, Missions