ATC Conference – Glad I Went
Last night I had the opportunity to attend the ATC conference in Lansdale. One of my pastor friends expressed surprise in seeing me after having read a previous blog that I wrote about the value of conferences. I reminded him that I concluded the blog with an “I’ll see you in the hallway.”
The Gospel in Exodus Four and in the City
The hearts of city dwellers cry out for redemption. On the surface it is often a cry for a Moses-like redeemer who can deliver them from their existential despair often magnified in urban living. Sometimes religion becomes the futile redeemer in its attempts to address this despair. Others seek to remedy their condition in the Read more
The Three Stooges Conference
No, it's not what or who you think! I may interact robustly with some of my friends but they are friends, not stooges. I received this email invitation for the National Young Fundamentalist Conference. Unbelievable! I thought it was a spoof but it seems to be a real conference. Can someone tell me it isn't so? Granted it is Read more
Now About Those Conferences …
After my recent blog on the value of conferences a friend asked me about my anti-conference posting (although he agreed with me). Actually I’m not anti-conference but simply relativizing their value. When the experts speak who have already written on the subject, I’m not sure much more is accomplished by hearing them speak about what Read more
The Gospel Carnival
I recently commented on Mark Snoeberger’s blog that I was appalled that he had preached five messages from the Old Testament and only mentioned Christ in one. Maybe “appalled” was a little strong and since Mark is not a pastor it may not be five messages over a five-week period in the same church. So Read more
Church Conferences – Humble Wisdom or Expert Advice?
I’ve attended many conferences over the years designed to help pastors succeed in their ministry. At first I went to learn from the experts the secrets to success in church planting and pastoral ministry. Though I have always appreciated a carefully crafted message from the Bible, I soon became weary of experts who lived Read more
Messed Up Missionaries
I realized long ago that I am one of those messed up missionaries, or former missionary in my case. Over a decade in France and Romania ruined me for ministry in the US, at least in closed circles in which I ran. When our family returned stateside, I knew I could not pastor a church Read more
The Christian Bubble – by John Davis at The Gospel First
Often believers have an escapist mentality causing them to seek safer and more restful surroundings, where they believe they can prosper as the people of God. Prospering often means, sprawling campuses, even hot tubs and saunas, Christian schools, Christian ball teams and the Christian duplication of most anything that will avoid contact with Egypt like Read more
Why Do We Care So Much About the Music Choices of Others?
I find it odd that many writers and ministries are so concerned about the music that others use in worship. What’s the point of conferences either to attack or defend traditional forms? Why do we care so much how another church worships? Enough has been said and written on both sides, rarely are others Read more
Do Seminary Church Planting Classes Count for Anything?
Far be it from me to disparage seminary training or classes on church planting. For a number of years I taught seminary-level courses on both domestic and cross-cultural church planting at various institutions. Those classroom days seem to be over for the moment. For some odd reason (and some other good ones I’m sure Read more