The Linguistic Barrier Once divinely called missionary workers are sent out to the comparatively needy mission fields of the world, in the great majority of cases, they are immediately confronted with another significant barrier to the fulfillment of the Great Commission: the people to whom they are sent speak a different language. In order for disciples to be made, understandable communication must first take place between the sender and the receptor of the message. In contrast to other religious perspectives in which the communication of the message depends on a mutual understanding of … [Read more...] about World Missions: Overcoming Barriers to the Fulfillment of the Great Commission (Barrier #2: The Linguistic Barrier)
Pray for Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge
Last week I listed 7 Reasons Husbands Should Pray for Their Wives. It had a favorable response and so I thought that perhaps we should take this a step further. Beginning on August 1st, I want to challenge guys to a 31 Day Challenge of praying for your wife every day. As I’ve thought about this what I believe I really need is to put a FACE on praying for my wife: Focus—I need to know what specifically to pray for my wife or I’ll just keep praying the same things over and over again. Accountability—I need a group of guys to keep me accountable and remind me daily to passionately pray … [Read more...] about Pray for Your Wife: 31 Day Challenge
Schrödinger’s Sin
The Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics implies that as long as we do not check to see if a sub-atomic particle has decayed (producing radiation), then we must simultaneously assume that the atom both has decayed and has not decayed. In 1935, Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger critiqued this notion by proposing the following: a cat, a flask of poison, and a radioactive source are placed in a sealed box. If an internal monitor detects radioactivity due to a decaying particle, the flask is shattered, releasing the poison that kills the cat. If the monitor does not detect … [Read more...] about Schrödinger’s Sin
World Missions: Overcoming Barriers to the Fulfillment of the Great Commission (Barrier #1: The Geographic Barrier)
The Geographic Barrier If the objective of the Great Commission is to make disciples of every nation, it naturally follows that, in order to accomplish this task, one must first go where the people are. Though the Greek participle poreuthentes, translated “go” or "going" in most English versions of Matthew 28:19, does not necessarily connote geographic movement, it is a logical implication of the overall force of the verse. Verses such as Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to … [Read more...] about World Missions: Overcoming Barriers to the Fulfillment of the Great Commission (Barrier #1: The Geographic Barrier)
Keller, Stetzer, Driscoll and Osteen: You Make the Call (Revised – with answers)
My daughter Bethany, her friend Katie and I played a little game last night and I thought it might be fun for the readers of SBC Voices to play along. The game was simple. I read a tweet from Joel Osteen, from Mark Driscoll, or from Tim Keller. They had to identify the author from the tweet. I've created a quiz for you here. I added in the good Rev. Dr. Ed Stetzer for you Baptist bloggers. There are 5 tweets from each of these four men. A few of them (especially Osteen's) are no-brainers. The rest might be tougher than you think. Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to identify the … [Read more...] about Keller, Stetzer, Driscoll and Osteen: You Make the Call (Revised – with answers)
Respect the Ancient Markers, Whippersnapper!
Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28 It is my belief that one of the most significant battles in the church today (perhaps second only to the Calvinism wars), is the divergence in attitude, outlook and approach to ministry between us old fogeys and you young whippersnappers. The older, more traditional, more established folks tend to view the youngsters as half-cocked, wild-eyed radicals and the youngsters tend to view us as hidebound, tradition-mired, stick-in-the-muds. Perhaps it has always been this way. It has been a long time (32 years) since … [Read more...] about Respect the Ancient Markers, Whippersnapper!
World Missions: Overcoming Barriers to the Fulfillment of the Great Commission (Introduction)
A lot of discussion on world missions bears a haunting resemblance to the well-known story of “The Blind Men and the Elephant”: Once upon a time, five blind men came upon an elephant. “What is this?!” asked the first one, who had run headlong into its side. “It’s an Elephant,” said the elephant’s keeper, who was sitting on a stool, cleaning the elephant’s harness. “Wow! So this is an Elephant! I’ve always wondered what Elephants are like!” said the man, running his hands as far as he could reach up and down the elephant’s side. “Why, it’s just like a wall! A large, warm wall!” “What do you … [Read more...] about World Missions: Overcoming Barriers to the Fulfillment of the Great Commission (Introduction)
Some Thoughts on Leadership
I have been learning about leadership for the last 10 years in the church culture. I have taken classes, watched podcasts, heard lectures and speeches, read books and heard it talked about ad nauseum by individuals who believe leadership is next to Godliness. I have come to the conclusion that leadership is a great thing that often becomes an idol. Here is what led to that opinion. Biblical leadership is not glamours. It's hanging out with people while speaking truth, but not really being anyone important. It's helping and serving and washing nasty feet. It is without title or … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts on Leadership
Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: What’s Your Plan?
So far, 28 men (plus my little baby boy Josh) have signed up for the Fitness Challenge. So, the first question here is: what is your plan? What is your strategy for the "Battle of the Bulge?" I'm headed out for a walk with my wife. My biggest needs are reduced diet and consistent (reasonable exercise). As a former marathon runner, I tend to go at it too hard, get incredibly sore and then can't exercise consistently. I am also trying one more radical thing, for the month of August. I'm carnivorous - I love steak, ribs, etc! But for one month I'm going vegetarian. It's sweet corn and … [Read more...] about Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor Challenge: What’s Your Plan?
It’s ON! The SBC Voices “Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor” Challenge (Updated)
I am only about a week late on this, but seeing that I have an earned doctorate in procrastination, that is pretty good. This is our SBC Voices "Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor" challenge, and it is officially underway (underweigh?). The following men have indicated they want to be in. If you'd like to join us, please feel free - you can get in at any time, though the longer you wait (weight? - sorry, I'll stop now) the more of a head start the rest of us will have. The goal, simply, is to lose weight between now and the end of the year. The challenge is designed to provide support, encouragement, … [Read more...] about It’s ON! The SBC Voices “Fat Pastor, Fit Pastor” Challenge (Updated)