Recently I interacted on a blog where an assertion was made that rap music is sinful. No one would mistake me for a rap artist or aficionado. However, the charge that rap music is sinful is silly and biblically indefensible. Rap music may offend the cultural sensitivities of some and not always be the best vehicle to communicate divine truth to people unfamiliar with it or predisposed against it. To say it is sinful comes awfully close to cultural imperialism.

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We are committed to sound theological and practical training and have a burden for urban church planting. We do not think that everyone in Christian ministry must go to seminary or plant urban churches. At times seminary training may not be an option. However, in most cases, for pastors and church planters, it is advisable as long as it is not only preparatory for future ministry but also participatory while in training. Most colleges and seminaries, especially those in suburban and rural settings, are not equipped to train men for urban ministry without partnership with urban ministries. Read here John’s thoughts on what to look for in a seminary.  

I'm spending a lot of time in prison lately (more about that later) and am posting my brother's blogs which of course I believe are excellent. Here's an excerpt. "The themes of promise, suffering, and deliverance are gospel themes repeated throughout Scripture. Faith in God’s promise is often tested in suffering and suffering is often the prelude to deliverance. Eventually, Jesus himself would be tested in suffering and would be delivered after suffering. His faith did not waver- “when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1Pe 2:23 ESV). Unlike Moses, Jesus never resisted being the Word of God to a needy world." more

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.”

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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 pursuit of licit and illicit pleasure. Yet, equally futile are the more satisfying, yet deceptively self-affirming, activities of philanthropy, pursuing justice, and working against poverty. Existential despair is too deep for superficial antidotes and too complex for self-diagnosis.

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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 for young fundamentalists, whoever or wherever they may be. By the looks of the three in the video I wonder how anything of value would come from such clownish marketing. Please don't say it's because it's in Kentucky. That can't explain how sappy and sorry this is. I've heard of gospel-centered conferences but now we have goofy-centered. No, I am not going. Of course if the real Three Stooges were there I would reconsider – there have been sightings. Moe, Larry, and Curly (or was it Shemp?).

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 they wrote. However there is a Philly area conference in March which I think will be of great value for church planters.

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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 I should cut him some slack. Some but not much. 

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          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 in ivory towers and had little experience in the world that I lived in. Usually, the credential required to speak at most conference was some semblance of measurable success (by human standards) in ministry.  It also helped to be friends with the host pastor.

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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 whose highest good was butts on benches, bucks in the basket, and buildings owned by the bank all the while paying lip service to the Great Commission.  Not that all churches can be described in this way nor that the three B’s are unimportant. Yet, when I look at the relatively inconsequential issues still being fought, when I see the poor stewardship of resources which are used lavishly for self-preservation rather than propagation, and then consider the world’s need to hear the good news of redemption, I stubbornly refuse to be part of the charade. I am too messed up. But I'm in therapy.