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Matt Svoboda

My morning at First Baptist Church of Lebanon, MO

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I was traveling this last week and found myself at Lebanon, MO on Sunday morning.  I decided to go to First Baptist Church.  There wasn't much to it.  It was a normal, Bible-belt traditional service.  They had a later contemporary service, but because we were traveling we went to the early, traditional service. The music was fine, the people were nice, and my son seemed to enjoy the nursery.  Looking at the surface,  most people would of probably thought, "This is a pretty nice church." When one gets beyond the surface they see something very different.  They seem something better.  One … [Read more...] about My morning at First Baptist Church of Lebanon, MO

Missional Living- More than a thought

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This is the end of a post I wrote late last night... Here are a few ways God has specifically challenged me with missional living: 1) To be an example to my small group about what it means to live on mission for Jesus. 2) To engage the Mormons in my own community. I have been here since February and I haven't heard one story of a particular group of people, or church, or whatever that has intentionally engaged the Mormons. I hope to help change that. 3) To take God at his word. Yes, this is missional living. If we actually take him at his word our lives will look radically different. … [Read more...] about Missional Living- More than a thought

Engaging Your Neighbor

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The phrase "engaging your culture" is often used and in my opinion, misused.  We aren't trying to engage a culture, but rather a people within a culture.  I know I am somewhat arguing semantics, but I think rephrasing it to "engage your neighbor" helps put things into perspective.  We are trying to win people.  We are not, or at least should not, be trying to "win a culture." With that being said...  What are some things that you and/or your church is doing in order to engage your neighbors, your community?  Is it more than inviting them to your church to hear your "awesome band" and … [Read more...] about Engaging Your Neighbor

“Vision is overrated”

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This was a tweet that I read from Jared Wilson... I'm not sure what I think about it. "Vision is overrated" From what I have seen, many in the Reformed camp tend to shy away from words and topics such as "vision," while other camps-such as Andy Stanley, Craig Gross, etc. spend a little(maybe a lot) too much time on "vision." In my mind when the Bible talks about leadership, which is a lot, "vision" is included.  Vision is in fact part of leadership and it isn't something we can ignore, at least if we are to be good leaders. To have a productive conversation about this I would like … [Read more...] about “Vision is overrated”

Southern Baptists and Denominationalism

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Like me, most of you missed what I hear was a great conference-Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism.  If you would like to read Trevin Wax's summaries of the messages follow the links below. Here are links to my summaries of all the lectures at the Union University conference: Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism. Special thanks to David Dockery and Tim Ellsworth for the invitation to live-blog this event. Trevin Wax To listen to the messages go here- Union University. … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists and Denominationalism

Conventional Thinking with Al Mohler

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I am very glad to report that I am restarting the Conventional Thinking blog directed at issues of importance for the Southern Baptist Convention and its churches. I am really excited about this new conversation and especially about the opportunities for asking all the big questions as we think about the future of our denomination. Yesterday, I delivered an address, "The Future of the Southern Baptist Convention," at a Presidential Forum on campus.  Now, this video is available for you. Conventional Thinking Talk about another great Southern Baptist blog! … [Read more...] about Conventional Thinking with Al Mohler

What do Piper, Driscoll, Ware, Stetzer, Allison, and Storms have in common?

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Three staff members of Southern Baptist Convention entities are among eight leaders of a new leadership school being launched by Mars Hill Church, the Seattle, Wash., mega-church co-led by Mark Driscoll. Bruce Ware, Gregg Allison and Ed Stetzer will join Driscoll, John Piper and Sam Storms on the faculty of the Resurgence Training Center, a 36-hour graduate program in leadership. The faculty also includes executive director Rick Melson and Bill Clem, a leadership coach with the Acts 29 Network. The new school, according to the Mars Hill website, is intended to develop … [Read more...] about What do Piper, Driscoll, Ware, Stetzer, Allison, and Storms have in common?