Joel Rainey blogs at Themelios. He is the Executive Director of the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association. I spent this morning with a colleague working on the contours of a potential Doctor of Ministry program for Maryland pastors, and among other things, we discussed the future of pastoral ministry. For a few semesters, I've had the honor of teaching Pastoral Theology at a local seminary,and one of the units we cover relates to the task of leadership in emerging culture. As an introduction to this unit, I give the students a description of what the world will look like in the not-too-distant … [Read more...] about The Future of Pastoral Ministry: Are we Really Up to This? (by Joel Rainey)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #4: Faithful Biblical Application is Redemptive If God-centered, exegetically-based, faith-building application is going to prove genuinely biblical, it must be presented in a thoroughly gospel context. Therefore, the final principle of sound biblical application is that biblical application must be redemptive. In the midst of all applying, knowing, and striving the preacher must firmly tether his teaching and his audience to the cross. The work of Christ in securing, revealing, and preserving salvation for his people cannot be … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. While my family and I were standing in line for the Jack Sparrow ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a couple of teenagers in front of us turned around and asked me that question. I responded with the typical, “Well Catholics can be Christians, but they are not synonymous.” Later as I was pondering my response, I became concerned about what I said. Linking the possibility of being a Christian to the Catholic Church may not have been the best idea. Maybe I am the only one who has said … [Read more...] about Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #3: Faithful Biblical Application Builds Faith The aim of God-centered, exegetically-sound biblical application should ultimately be what Wayne McDill identifies as “a faith response” (12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, 187-198). While pastors discuss the many and varied purposes of preaching, “the fundamental objective of preaching remains faith.” McDill explains: The overarching aim of preaching is to call for faith in the hearer. . . the focus of preaching must be the object of faith, the person of God. The preacher enhances … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #2: Biblical Application Demands Thorough Exegesis Unfortunately, God-centered application does not spontaneously appear in the sermon-preparing process. It demands thorough exegesis, exegesis that does not stop digging until sound, biblical application is unearthed. To this end, Douglas Stuart has aptly stated that application “should be just as rigorous, just as thorough, and just as analytically sound as any other step in the exegesis process” (How Sermons Work, 111). Until application has been made, exegesis is not complete. … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. Dear Missions Participant, If you are a pastor, leader, or a participant in missions here are some words of encouragement. I have had to filter these through my heart as well. This post rose out of a quick vision trip I took to Guatemala to work with a reputable organization. 1. Why are you going? This is the first question to ask oneself. Is the trip for my agenda and me, or for Christ? The answer to the question may not be easy to ascertain, but true contemplation may … [Read more...] about What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)
Rand Paul Exposes The Ideological Collapse of the Democratic Party (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift! Throughout my lifetime, Democrats have ideologically defended civil liberties and have raised opposition to the power of the state interfering in the lives of Americans. Groups like the ACLU have consistently defended Constitutional rights of Americans to protest and engage in free assembly and to be free of government intrusion. Of course, their concern for religious freedom has often been muted because of their own biases, but overall, they have supported liberty. This has also applied to American military involvement and the Constitutional rights of … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Exposes The Ideological Collapse of the Democratic Party (by Alan Cross)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 1 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Hey guys… I need your help. And I hope we can be mutually edified by this discussion. The short of it is this: I have been working on a doctoral project and am in need of some conversations – you know, mutual and humble exchanges of opinions formed by personal study and experience. The topic? Preaching. More specifically: application in preaching. As part of my project, I have identified four principles of faithful biblical application. I would like to get feedback on each of these principles. Three specific questions I would like to explore … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 1 (by Bill Gernenz)
Guardrails for Long-Tenured Ministry (by Dr. David Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. Most of us don’t begin a new ministry position believing that we will only stay for a few years. Although our intentions are noble for the long haul, it seems that we can often get blindsided by unforeseen circumstances that repeatedly derail that goal. The author of the book of Hebrews offers guidelines that serve as a great application for long-tenured ministry. “Therefore, since we have … [Read more...] about Guardrails for Long-Tenured Ministry (by Dr. David Manner)
Manifesto of the Ministry of Condemnation (by Jerry Corbaley)
Jerry Corbaley blogs at Think the Thoughts? Manifesto of the Ministry of Condemnation With additional witticisms An unofficial union of American cultural “X”ians Our Creed. All things are governed by our Creed, our supreme authority. All ministries are designed and evaluated with the furtherance of our Creed as the goal and guiding light. All expenditures and evaluations of ministry success are compared by the measure of harmony with our Creed. All leadership is selected and evaluated according to our Creed. It is the purpose that drives us. Because we have evolved such short … [Read more...] about Manifesto of the Ministry of Condemnation (by Jerry Corbaley)