Anyone who has read this blog for a bit or who knows me, knows I am all for church-planting (in the right circumstances). In fact, when I first began seminary I thought I was going to be a planter, and have not completely ruled it out of our future. However, I want to encourage potential pastors to make it the last option, or at least think really hard first. If you are wanting to plant a church so you can remove the pulpit, wear jeans while you preach, or crank up the music, you probably shouldn't plant a church. Secondly, if you haven't shared the gospel with someone in the last month, don't plant a church. It's probably not your calling. Church planters must be actively involved in personal evangelism. That's what biblical church planting is after all. If you're not doing it now, chances are you won't do it then.
I am thinking of those staying in America of course, and obviously, there are many places in America where there are very few if any evangelical churches and planting is vital (hence Keller in NYC, Driscoll in Seattle, NETS, etc). However, many people plan on planting churches in the south where there are plenty of churches. Every one of those churches is making a statement about Christ. I think its fair to say that the majority of those churches are sending a distorted message about Christianity to their communities. So why not go into a church, be patient, pray, work hard, shed tears, love and feed Christ's sheep, reform and reclaim for God's glory? Is it because you lack the patience, or the courage to go deal with hard people? No matter how confused, old, or generally un-hip they may be, Christ has sheep that are impoverished all over the country. Sure it may take 10 years to get to elder leadership, or longer expositional sermons, or updating the externals, or doing biblical discipline, but what better way to spend your life? Consider others, namely Christ's church, better than yourself and your personal preferences that will probably be out-dated in 5 years anyway. So make sure you are being selfless before you plant. Make sure you are being humble. Make sure you are being faithful in evangelism. Make sure reformation & reclamation is not a better option. If those things are in place, by all means, plant.
9.30.2008
9.25.2008
Hebrews 13.17
"I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you; but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give an account of them to the Lord Christ, at his jugment-seat, you will think you have had enough."
-John Brown
9.22.2008
9.19.2008
Abortions in Louisville
9.18.2008
Check out the video resources for the ESV Study Bible, which is due for publication in less than a month.
9.17.2008
9.15.2008
9.13.2008
Lessons from the Early Church
Justo Gonzales (who is not an evangelical) has a chapter called 'The Christian Life' in his book "The Story of Christianity," that was really good. Keeping in mind that the pertinent time period was the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th centuries, here are a few reasons why:
"Another common characteristic of these early communion services was that only those who had been baptized could attend. People coming from other congregations were certainly welcome, as long as they were baptized." (94) Closed communion, and Gonzales is a Methodist!
"The most remarkable characteristic of those early communion services was that they were celebrations. The tone was one of joy and gratitude, rather than sorrow and repentance. In the beginning, communion was part of an entire meal." (94)
"Also, in order to preserve and symbolize the unity of Christians all over the world, each church had a list of bishops of other churches, bot near and far, for whom prayer was to be made during communion." (95) A good application of this is to know and pray for evangelical churches in your area. Advertising with statments such as 'we do church diffently' probably doesn't promote unity.
"But, as the church became increasingly Gentile, it was necessary to require a period of preparation, trial, and instruction prior to baptism. This was the 'catechumenate,' which, by the beginning of the third century, lasted three years. During that time, catechumens received instruction on Christian doctrine, and were to give signs in their daily lives of the depth of their conviction. Finally, shortly before being baptized, they were examined and added to the list of those to be baptized." (96) For Southern Baptists, a good application of this practice is to not baptize 6 year olds!
"There are also some historians who are inclined to believe that some churches-Rome included-were not led by a single bishop, but rather by a group of leaders who were called either 'bishops' or 'presbyters.'" (97) One must keep in mind that biblically speaking, the office of bishop (or overseer) is the same as that of presbyter (elder). Gonzales also notes that in the 2nd century, the leadership of the church was entirely masculine. (97)
"Therefore, evangelism did not take place in church services, but rather, as Celsus said, in kitchens, shops, and markets." (99) The scattered church, not the gathered church was missional. The worship service is for believers.
"One should note that Christianity spread mainly in the cities, and that it penetrated the rural areas slowly and with much difficulty." (99) Sounds like Keller knows his history.
"Another common characteristic of these early communion services was that only those who had been baptized could attend. People coming from other congregations were certainly welcome, as long as they were baptized." (94) Closed communion, and Gonzales is a Methodist!
"The most remarkable characteristic of those early communion services was that they were celebrations. The tone was one of joy and gratitude, rather than sorrow and repentance. In the beginning, communion was part of an entire meal." (94)
"Also, in order to preserve and symbolize the unity of Christians all over the world, each church had a list of bishops of other churches, bot near and far, for whom prayer was to be made during communion." (95) A good application of this is to know and pray for evangelical churches in your area. Advertising with statments such as 'we do church diffently' probably doesn't promote unity.
"But, as the church became increasingly Gentile, it was necessary to require a period of preparation, trial, and instruction prior to baptism. This was the 'catechumenate,' which, by the beginning of the third century, lasted three years. During that time, catechumens received instruction on Christian doctrine, and were to give signs in their daily lives of the depth of their conviction. Finally, shortly before being baptized, they were examined and added to the list of those to be baptized." (96) For Southern Baptists, a good application of this practice is to not baptize 6 year olds!
"There are also some historians who are inclined to believe that some churches-Rome included-were not led by a single bishop, but rather by a group of leaders who were called either 'bishops' or 'presbyters.'" (97) One must keep in mind that biblically speaking, the office of bishop (or overseer) is the same as that of presbyter (elder). Gonzales also notes that in the 2nd century, the leadership of the church was entirely masculine. (97)
"Therefore, evangelism did not take place in church services, but rather, as Celsus said, in kitchens, shops, and markets." (99) The scattered church, not the gathered church was missional. The worship service is for believers.
"One should note that Christianity spread mainly in the cities, and that it penetrated the rural areas slowly and with much difficulty." (99) Sounds like Keller knows his history.
9.08.2008
What the West Needs to Know
This documentary is worth your time.
See http://www.whatthewestneedstoknow.com.
9.06.2008
Here is a great article on exalting professors by Carl Trueman that every seminary student should read.
9.05.2008
9.03.2008
Preaching Notes
Recently, Josh Harris did a series of blogs called Preaching Notes. In it, he included the sermon notes from 4 well known preachers. Check them out:
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