tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-119498502012-01-26T20:23:33.956-05:00@ joelrainey.net.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.comBlogger1711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-55912678960358071762012-01-26T10:44:00.005-05:002012-01-26T17:51:55.112-05:00

I really wasn't looking forward to yesterdays Elephant Room discussion. For one thing, my schedule simply did not allow me to dedicate an entire day to the event. Furthermore, I was honestly skeptical of the content, and the outcome. My primary reason for this skepticism? One of those invited to participate in the discussion yesterday was T.D. Jakes, a texas pastor who founded "The Potter's House

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-83522221532954251352012-01-12T12:32:00.002-05:002012-01-12T12:45:17.080-05:00

I’m not sure if its because we are in an election season, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about labels; how they are used, and how they are misused. Watching the Presidential debate in New Hampshire last week, I was struck by the way labels were used in the attempt of some candidates to pigeonhole other candidates. And after 20 years in ministry, I’ve come to the conclusion that the church

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-85048323404318457122012-01-10T07:34:00.003-05:002012-01-10T07:42:03.227-05:00

One of the most annoying experiences of ministry often comes, interestingly enough, after I've preached a message. It's that moment when I'm standing in the back of the church shaking hands, and someone comes up and says "great message Dr. Rainey. I wish _________ could have been here to hear it. They need it!"Honestly, it's hard in moments like that to keep my temper at bay. I want to ask, in

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-78585255233885272662012-01-07T12:22:00.004-05:002012-01-07T14:26:01.536-05:00

I rarely write on issues that are solely political in nature. As a follower of Jesus and a regional leader of global missions, I frankly have more important things to write about, and understand that no eartthly kingdom compares to the eternal Kingdom of God I'm called to proclaim.Furthermore, I want my primary message to always be that of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and entering exlusively into

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-89413947105602967952011-12-22T09:30:00.002-05:002011-12-22T09:35:42.061-05:00

All of us find that certain Biblical commands are easier to obey than others. Personally, I have never struggled with the "active" commands of Scripture . . . ."GO" "TEACH" "BAPTIZE" "PREACH" are divine calls to which I almost always respond in the right way.But recently, I have been struggling in my efforts to obey the more "passive" commands of Scripture. God created me with a high-D

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-66450896498227284822011-12-20T09:30:00.006-05:002011-12-20T10:54:36.178-05:00

Being away from the office for the holidays, I'm further behind than normal when it comes to keeping up with the news. So it was yesterday before I discovered that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was dead.My emotions have been both strong and diverse since that moment.On the one hand, my faith teaches me that Kim Jong Il was a human being created in the image and likeness of God; a human being

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-31883683707944555272011-12-13T09:23:00.002-05:002011-12-13T10:12:02.054-05:00

The cute picture to your right was posted by my wife yesterday. Amy and I have a good time nudging each other about the other's use of smart phone technology, but there is a serious side to this issue that is too often excused, or outright ignored in our current climate.The fact that I'm writing this article and publishing it via electronic media should be enough to demonstrate that I am not

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-9687178465607511182011-12-07T17:08:00.002-05:002011-12-07T17:55:16.312-05:00

If by now you aren't aware of our nation's economic woes and its effect on everything from employment to retail sales, you are probably one who lives in the woods, churns your own butter, and only have access to dialup. You probably don't own the technology to be able to read this blog either.Yep, its scary out there, and over the past three years, I've watched as the people in the churches I

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-77407888990832584562011-11-12T05:01:00.004-05:002011-11-12T06:01:46.307-05:00

I write this post while on my way to Chennai, a city in southeast India where I and a pastor colleague from our Association will spend several days training indigenous pastors. We began yesterday in London, where I met with folks with whom we will be working next summer, serving the city during the summer olympics.So this morning, I sit at Heathrow airport (not an uncommon place to sit if you are

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-37972992684988877522011-10-30T21:10:00.006-04:002011-10-30T21:31:46.354-04:00

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scripture, or from plain and clear reason and arguments, I cannot and will not recant. To go against conscience is neither right, nor safe. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me!" -Martin LutherTomorrow evening, Amy and I will join other parents who walk their children around a mall, or church parking lot, or to neighbors houses, in the effort to fill

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-53601526416944567802011-10-19T17:45:00.004-04:002011-10-19T18:32:22.523-04:00

The following is based in experiences I've had with churches I've consulted with over my nearly 20 years of service in ministry. Over that time, I have become convinced that we have perfected the pathology by which we can accelerate the decline and eventual demise of a local church. I've seen the following happen in different orders, with different emphases, and I can guarantee that if you

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-67838948678670563432011-10-11T15:52:00.004-04:002011-10-11T17:49:22.596-04:00

In case you have been living under a rock for the past five years and aren't already aware of it, one of the Republican candidates for President is a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Yep, Mitt Romney is Mormon, and that fact has quite a few in the evangelical community really upset. Romney's Mormonism has also brought out others on the Republican side who simply

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-81013558619699026822011-09-26T09:36:00.005-04:002011-09-26T10:59:42.031-04:00

One of the darker results of modernity is the intellectual arrogance it has created. We know what we know, and nothing can change that. After all, we have SEEN the truth with our own eyes. We have seen the evidence, and that evidence is superior to anything else.Richard Dawkins, the most well-known champion of what has been called the "new atheism," accurately expresses the unfettered

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-2022434422856158242011-09-19T11:44:00.002-04:002011-09-19T11:58:08.077-04:00

There is an old peanuts' comic strip that shows Charlie Brown firing an arrow blindly into the side of a barn. The next cell shows him after walking up to the spot where the arrow landed, and with bucket and brush in hand, painting a target around the arrow. Looking back at Lucy he says "this way, I never miss!"When it comes to measuring effective leadership in local churches, I fear that many

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-22641510861442152752011-08-29T14:18:00.017-04:002011-08-30T17:19:02.990-04:00

On October 2, our Association will host our annual session at Hope Baptist Church in Laurel MD. This year's theme is "Great Leaders . . .Great Churches," and our primary emphasis will be on the issue of Leadership Competency in the Local Church. Both our annual meeting and the next day's Pastor Leadership Forums will focus on this crucial topic, and the plenary meeting on Sunday night will

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-33244174325134530072011-08-24T16:30:00.003-04:002011-08-24T17:01:31.931-04:00

On October 2, our Association will host our annual session with the theme "Great Leaders. . .Great Churches." The next day, we will host two Pastor's Forums in two different locations in our area to continue the conversation. Thus far, the response has been roughly twice what we usually receive at this time, and I think I know why. Instictively, pastors and the people they lead are aware of

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-12286986181505282392011-07-07T12:52:00.001-04:002011-07-07T12:52:57.225-04:00

"What are you reading?" I've been hearing that question since I started out in ministry more than 19 years ago. In the beginning, it came from older, wiser and seasoned pastors who used the question as a way to start a conversation that would guide me in my own development. Years later, the question continues to be asked by ministry colleagues as an avenue of inquiry and accountability. But

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-49834731110387927382011-06-01T09:09:00.003-04:002011-06-01T09:46:28.243-04:00

"When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him." -Deuteronomy 18:22, ESV "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-15813828014871946472011-05-17T13:38:00.007-04:002011-05-17T13:56:26.960-04:00

As I write, the clean-up from terrible storms that tore through the south three weeks ago continues. Two weeks ago when seeking to address these storms, and other current and terrible events from a proper God-centered perspective, no one was aware that this same region of the country would continue to reel from the effects of storms in the upper mid-west, which in turn caused massive flooding

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-10727565685114651002011-05-04T10:11:00.000-04:002011-05-04T10:12:32.718-04:00

Does God know the future? Furthermore, has God declared the future? How much control does He actually exert over His creation? Questions of this sort often seem to be relegated to the "ivory towers" of theologial conjecture. But when the kind of chaos—both positive and negative--that has recently affected our nation encloses itself around our lives, those deeply philosophical questions quickly

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-73913764485647749872011-04-28T07:17:00.004-04:002011-04-28T07:39:45.946-04:00

This week, I'm at the Exponential conference in Orlando, the largest gathering of church planters in the world. As is usually the case with conferences of this nature, much time is being spent emphasizing the importance of cultural exegesis and contextualization. Being surrounded by these themes all week reminds me of the vociferous nature of the debate surrounding all these issues.Recently, I

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-78829592840536984662011-04-07T19:07:00.004-04:002011-04-07T19:26:57.280-04:00

If you want to see tempers flare up quickly on both sides of a volatile issue, just start a conversation about illegal immigration. If ever there was an example of an issue where the fringe elements on each side are permitted to dictate the terms of debate, immigration fits the bill! Unfortunately, those who believe this issue is as simple as choosing sides between Republicans and Democrats--or

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-25404451022337452242011-03-28T08:53:00.004-04:002011-03-28T09:48:52.872-04:00

This is my last installment on the subject of how to facilitate effective church planting in the Baptist Association. This post also covers a key piece to the puzzle if you want a church planting emphasis to outlast your own ministry as a Director of Missions.At this point in the game, you have created a culture that understands the Great Commission neccesity of church planting. A system of

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-2073740076348606602011-03-21T14:27:00.004-04:002011-03-21T14:36:56.539-04:00

Ideas, as Francis Shaeffer once said, have consequences, and this statement is never more true than when contemplating the result of promoting Christian missions in your own home!Recently, my denominations International Mission Board commissioned another batch of missionaries to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. During the commissioning sermon, preached by new IMB President Tom Elliff,

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-61230173803975138612011-03-14T15:33:00.007-04:002011-03-14T16:53:22.037-04:00

Former President Ronald Reagan had a particularly narrow philosophy when it came to the idea of government funding. He expressed it in three propositions that he felt accurately reflected the disposition of the federal government: 1. If it moves, tax it. 2. If it keeps moving, regulate it. 3. When it stops moving, subsidize it.Its probably appropriate after an illustration like that to point

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-56820692793500719552011-03-12T00:03:00.003-05:002011-03-12T00:20:31.561-05:00

Pastor Douglas Wilson correctly and graphically observed a couple of weeks ago that our culture is doing to sex what people who chew with their mouths open are doing to food. God's plan for human sexuality looks markedly different, and has a distinctly different goal than the plans for sex that have been mapped out by the world. In light of these observations, I decided to repost a blog I wrote

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-259383692751352042011-02-27T18:26:00.006-05:002011-02-28T12:38:40.563-05:00

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been writing posts related to a presentation I gave to Directors of Missions at the NoBA conference at Southwestern Seminary in January on effective church planting in and by the Baptist Association. The streaming video of that presentation can be found here.In the first of these posts, I described ways to effectively develop a culture for church planting.

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-20477261928123852522011-02-21T13:57:00.007-05:002011-02-21T14:42:34.845-05:00

As I write these words, Senate Bill 116 is making its way through both houses of the Maryland legislature. Predictions are that both the Senate and House of Delegates have the votes necessary to send this bill—which effectively legalizes homosexual marriage in my state—to the desk of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who has said he will sign it into law. By this summer, Maryland will become

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-11740676086316785932011-02-17T09:53:00.003-05:002011-02-17T10:36:08.656-05:00

In my last post, I stressed the need for a culture-shift within Associations of churches that results in a high priority on the multiplication of churches. I'd like to continue on that theme today with a couple of additional steps that I think are crucial to developing this kind of atmosphere.-Don't Give in to Resistant Churches. Changing a culture is a precarious undertaking in any environment

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-54183416866424217342011-02-10T15:17:00.004-05:002011-02-10T16:18:18.716-05:00

My maternal grandfather passed away when I was six years old. Even at that young age, my early experiences with him left an indelibly positive mark on me. Most of our time together was wonderful and usually involved going to baseball games or watching "Gunsmoke" re-runs. But there were a few unpleasant moments in our relationship as well. One of those would happen every time I followed him

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-10600044642128461922011-01-31T10:50:00.006-05:002011-01-31T12:23:18.946-05:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I'll be spending the next few weeks on this site talking about effective church planting in the local Baptist Association. For my readers who are not part of my denominational "tribe," please excuse some of the "insider" conversation that will neccesarily be a part of this discussion. It is my hope that my non-Baptist brothers and sisters will nonetheless learn

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-21905911902089042562011-01-24T09:51:00.002-05:002011-01-24T10:15:02.119-05:00

Two weeks ago I was invited to lead a session at the NoBA annual conference for Directors of Missions at Southwestern Seminary on Effective Church Planting in the Baptist Association. It was a privilege to talk with fellow Directors of Missions from across the country about their own efforts to facilitate church planting, and to learn from them regarding the real world issues they face in trying

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-57413189846439034162011-01-21T19:41:00.003-05:002011-01-21T20:53:03.892-05:00

John MacArthur needs to repent!That's a strong statement, I know. And before I explain why I feel this is the only appropriate response to his statements earlier this week about fellow Pastor Darrin Patrick, I should probably preface my thoughts with a few clarifications.First of all, if you lean left theologically and you think you are about to read an attack on Dr. MacArthur's theology, save

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-4710802638640927862010-09-08T09:20:00.005-04:002010-09-08T17:50:43.864-04:00

Pastor Terry Jones is, quite literally, "on the war path." Jones, head of Dove World Outreach Church in Florida, is determined to commemorate the ninth anniversary of September 11 in a very atypical way. Less than 72 hours from the time this article is posted, Pastor Jones will lead a ceremony in which the Koran is burned in protest of radical Islam. His announcement of these plans have already

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-28613004880422797732010-06-28T12:00:00.008-04:002010-06-28T12:48:51.656-04:00

This week, I'm in Gulfport, Mississippi with about 40 volunteers from eight of our churches. We have been at work down here helping rebuild the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina essentially washed the entire city away five years ago.Our association is at work doing missions in nine different areas of the world, and our work in Mississippi serves a two-fold purpose. First, our work here is part

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-53691858181159132622010-05-27T18:08:00.004-04:002010-05-27T18:25:52.719-04:00

As I write this post, I'm sitting in my living room watching my boys play and anticipating a GREAT pasta dinner my wife is making. Both are a wonderful way to kick off the coming long weekend. Our plans are to do some work around the house, spend lots of quality time as a family, visit some close friends in Gettysburg, and enjoy what appears will be several beautiful days during Memorial Day

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-88409985513807696382010-05-26T14:55:00.003-04:002010-05-26T16:14:45.440-04:00

Reading Leonard Pitts' Miami Herald Column in this past Sunday's paper was especially hard for me. Entitled "A Child's View of Black and White," the article described with painful detail new "doll tests" that are given to children to determine if racism might exist. Pitts, himself an African-American, rightly lamented the predispositions of children, both black and white, toward identifying "

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-43456502405048738332010-05-26T10:11:00.003-04:002010-05-26T10:12:45.455-04:00

More posts are coming shortly on more serious themes, but you MUST see the video below! Absolutely hillarious. Enjoy! Oh, and if you see yourself in it, try not to get too angry. Sometimes, we take ourselves WAY too seriously. :)

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-1133332388586752542010-05-05T14:13:00.005-04:002010-05-05T16:05:06.596-04:00

To the left is our new daughter, Abigail Grace Rainey!Ten days ago our family was driving to a 5-K race to help raise funds for a local pregnancy center when my wife's Blackberry started buzzing. A few seconds later she grabbed my arm in sobs, and while I'm wondering who died, she held up her phone and for the first time, I saw the picture you are now looking at!For those who read here but were

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-45592504593459958822010-04-22T14:06:00.002-04:002010-04-22T15:07:38.391-04:00

Buckle up boys and girls, this is going to be a long one!In the last two posts I have listed the good, the bad, and the ugly of the GCR preliminary report as I perceive it from the position of a missionary in a pioneer North American field. Certainly, we as the SBC can do a better job with the resources God has blessed us with to reach our own nation and the world with the Gospel. At the same

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-25986919420271761002010-04-13T10:21:00.004-04:002010-04-15T09:43:12.423-04:00

Let me preface this post with the admission that I studied math in public school . . .in South Carolina. :) That fact should explain the following correction:In my last post, several large figures were thrown about, one of which was a side-reference to the amount our International Mission Board spends annually on trustee meetings. About four years ago, I was speaking with a trustee who shared

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-49252035853642360322010-04-12T08:57:00.003-04:002010-04-12T10:33:07.155-04:00

The GCR Task Force was charged last year with recommending ways that Southern Baptists can do our work more effectively. In my last post I pointed out several things about their preliminary report that made me glad to have voted in favor of this approach. In this post, I'd like to address a few things that both trouble and puzzle me. They trouble me because, as a missionary in the field, the

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-17116923955878122682010-04-06T19:01:00.002-04:002010-04-06T19:38:21.935-04:00

"Getting the Gospel to the nations" was the rallying cry that produced a 95%-plus vote to form the GCR Task Force on the floor of the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville last year. Mine was one of the ballots raised in favor of forming that group, and in this part of my response to the preliminary report, I'd like to point out the things that make me glad I did:1. Unleashing the

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-81087647753946470542010-04-01T14:45:00.003-04:002010-04-01T15:18:17.696-04:00

For almost six years, I have served the Lord, the churches of my association, and those separated from Jesus in central Maryland. After spending some time planting churches in the south and teaching adjuctively, our family answered God's call to come to the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. corridor to work with what was then about 40 churches in reaching a population of more than 1.2 million who live

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-81013405169220612772010-03-29T10:29:00.002-04:002010-03-29T11:21:31.375-04:00

"Zealotism" is a term that originates with a first century Jewish group who believed--essentially--that the Messiah was first and foremost a political figure who would usher in political liberation from the Romans. As such, this group was sorely dissapointed when Jesus built the Kingdom instead on service and suffering. At its most repulsive stage, the result was the selling of Jesus for a

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-27356381061500291762010-03-12T18:07:00.002-05:002010-03-12T19:24:46.582-05:00

"Look for the words 'social justice' or 'economic justice' on your church web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can. . .they are code words." So said Radio and TV host Glen Beck on his March 11 radio show. Apparently, Mr. Beck has yet to familiarize himself with the actual content of the Gospels. Not only does his comment reflect a naive category confusion between political and

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-44607578954936298732010-02-23T12:54:00.002-05:002010-02-23T13:23:26.021-05:00

That I listened last night to the initial report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force--a group that is dillegently seeking a common road toward more effective mission work by Southern Baptists--while myself on mission with volunteers from 5 of our churches in Vancouver, B.C. is a surreal coincidence. By my "body clock," it was 3 AM when I viewed the online report led by Dr. Ronnie Floyd

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-33648751408894745972010-02-16T10:44:00.003-05:002010-02-16T11:50:59.960-05:00

Part of my work with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware involves helping to assess candidates who seek to plant new churches with us. Yesterday was one of those days in which I spent about 8 hours with two other assessors, a candidate and his wife. Its a long day to say the least for the assessors themselves, not to mention the candidate, who I am sure often wonders when Dr. Rorshach

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-3405769517372232062010-02-01T08:30:00.004-05:002010-02-01T09:31:54.794-05:00

For the past several decades debate has raged in our culture over the question of whether the United States is, or ever has been, a "Christian nation." Our current President recently spoke abroad regarding this issue, assuring muslim nations in particular that we are most assuredly not, while conservative political groups accuse him and others who share his point of view with "historical

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-52860516162266845572010-01-29T17:11:00.003-05:002010-01-29T17:14:57.494-05:00

After some time away, I'm ready to enter the blog world yet again! For a little more than a year--with a couple of exceptions--I took time off from the blog in order to complete some post-doctoral work and reorganize life in general.2010 should be an exciting year, and I look forward to sharing what God is doing in central Maryland and around the world. Additionally, another book is in the

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-66984750576911496102009-06-09T08:24:00.004-04:002009-06-09T08:49:42.944-04:00

Over the past several weeks, much noise has been made about the Great Commission Resurgence, a statement drafted by Dr. Danny Akin of Southeastern Seminary, and given wholehearted approval by a host of seminary presidents, former denominational workers, and the current and many former SBC Presidents.Of course, any manifesto-type document will also draw the ire of contrarians, and the GCR document

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-16268559234218918272009-05-07T09:46:00.004-04:002009-05-08T08:48:25.214-04:00

Note: At times this post may seem more like a rant. Just thought you'd like to know in advance.Planting new churches is, without a doubt, the most high-risk, difficult and precarious thing one can do in ministry. As such, doing this kind of work puts an inordinate amount of stress on anyone who dares to try and call together a body of Christ-followers from what J. Nelson Kraybill called "the

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-34140274056399633322009-03-23T10:15:00.003-04:002009-03-23T10:20:24.134-04:00

The following is an article I wrote last month in response to Gordon Fee's chapter entitled "Male and Female in the New Creation," which appeared in the collaborative work "Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy." My hope is that reader interaction would result in a humble and Scripture-centered examination of this crucial issue.IntroductionGordon D. Fee is Professor

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-23731630825328766412008-10-10T11:56:00.002-04:002008-10-10T12:13:25.105-04:00

I'm currently sitting at my kitchen table, listening to my wife talk to her mother, with the faint sound of my three-year-old in the distance, playing with his grandfather. And as I sit here about to write something I've honestly thought of writing for some time now, God is confirming in my heart that what I'm about to write is probably long past-due.It's time to take a break--a long, long break

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-42311069477080422852008-10-04T23:16:00.003-04:002008-10-04T23:45:33.563-04:00

I have to confess that often I feel a bit strange in my current role as a Director of Missions. I love what I do, mind you. Its just that at one time, I considered Associations to be among the most useless institutions on planet earth...right up there with congress and those TSA guys at the airport.In fairness, I admit that my strong bias against associations were based largely in negative

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-74198949925458728002008-09-15T08:28:00.003-04:002008-09-15T08:54:09.678-04:00

Yesterday was one of those days that remind me why I live in Maryland, and why I do what I do. Our association, in partnership with Embrace Baltimore and several sponsor churches, helped to launch The Village, a new church in the Hampden borogh, just a few blocks from Johns Hopkins University. Between 70 and 75 people came to this inaugural service, more than half of whom were totally

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-65996134685443970612008-09-05T20:45:00.004-04:002008-09-05T20:54:48.577-04:00

I couldn't help myself! I just had to post this because it is just too funny to resist. My friend and well-known missiological guru Ed Stetzer made a comment on Twitter a couple of nights ago that ultimately resulted in the picture above.Scary thing is, he might just win! I can see it now; a $10,000 tax credit for anyone who plants a church! Oh yeah!Then again, he's probably best suited for

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-11787819923273216502008-08-31T09:03:00.004-04:002008-08-31T19:30:39.890-04:00

In addition to the beautiful leaves and crisp air that accompany a Maryland fall, one of the things I love most about this time of year is the inauguration of football season. This season, however, hasn't started off very well. I find myself typing these words the morning after my team's humiliating opening game loss to Alabama. A 4 point favorite going in, the Clemson Tigers looked more like

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-83917380185206366942008-08-27T22:23:00.004-04:002008-08-27T22:49:58.178-04:00

It was exactly three years ago today when Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast and left horrible destruction in her wake. Via a partnership our churches have with the Gulf Coast Association, we continue helping the people of Mississippi rebuild, and now it appears that yet another strong hurricane may very well hit that same area.Of course,a lot can happen between now and 2 PM Monday. But

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-45914266104742529822008-08-26T15:51:00.004-04:002008-08-26T17:25:17.208-04:00

You don't have to be an expert in legal matters to conclude that our current immigration situation is a mess. As I said in my last post on this issue, our current system rewards those who break the law, and sends those trying to obey it back where they came from. Laws that create this kind of environment are, by default, unjust, and we have already heard Isaiah speak poignantly and with resolve

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-37704313017974727852008-08-19T18:08:00.004-04:002008-08-19T18:32:50.820-04:00

Believe it or not, Richard Land and Brian McLaren had a cordial conversation! Though its hard to believe, these respective representatives of conservative and progressive evangelicalism spent more than a half-hour on issues of agreement, and in the end, I think the church will be better for having listened to it.Make no mistake, I'm still no fan of McLaren's theology (though every time I've been

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-54411664513812874652008-08-18T16:40:00.004-04:002008-08-18T18:11:31.198-04:00

With the recognition that we are a nation built on immigrants, I find it ironic that the current immigration debate has become so vitriolic on both sides. What I find even more paradoxical is that a nation of immigrants presuming to live under the rule of law is seemingly losing its respect for both immigrants and the law. Thankfully, the prophet Isaiah, though he lived more than 2500 years ago

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-72528326453659918402008-08-14T17:15:00.004-04:002008-08-14T17:32:23.164-04:00

Evangelical Christians rightly confess that Jesus Christ is God, who came in the flesh, came into the world through the womb of a virgin, lived a completely sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners in a bloody mess on a Roman Cross, was raised bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is personally coming back. Any message that includes less than the above is not the Gospel. Still,

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-36061846850787076962008-08-06T14:47:00.002-04:002008-08-06T15:03:06.304-04:00

Dr. Bruce Revel was a friend, and cherished colleague. As Director of Missions for Eastern Baptist Association on Maryland's shoreline, Bruce had a heart and desire to see that entire area changed by the Gospel. The last time he and I sat down together, he was planning to launch a huge ministry to the deaf in one of his churches that he envisioned would multiply across his association, and even

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-22707264534443920762008-08-06T14:45:00.006-04:002008-08-06T15:53:16.973-04:00

As I type, I'm sitting in the customer service area of my local Ford dealership, waiting on my Taurus to be serviced. Aside from a 10-day vacation from which I just returned, moments like this have been rare over the past couple of months. But its been exciting to see God at work in so many ways!First, there was a trip to the Eastern Caribbean. I had the opportunity to spend several days on

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-69582856890256947952008-06-24T15:52:00.002-04:002008-06-24T15:53:55.373-04:00

I'd comment, but I am simply speechless! This MSNBC segment tells the story.

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-63661604962178775452008-06-24T11:00:00.006-04:002008-06-24T11:27:03.828-04:00

While I'm still taking a brief hiatus from the blog world, I thought I'd share the following with you. This week I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. David Jackson, who leads Church Multiplication for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, to do a podcast on my new book. As always, David and I had a great time together, and hopefully what we put together will be of help to our guys

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-37180747174587074872008-05-28T12:37:00.004-04:002008-05-28T12:44:45.925-04:00

Martin Luther once commented; "I have so much to do today, that I simply must go to bed." As I observe my summer schedule, I think I know how he felt!This summer is shaping up to be a busy one indeed, and includes the following:-A Mission Trip to the Carribean: Yeah, I know what your'e thinking. But it really is. Next week I join a couple of our pastors down there to survey the landscape and

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-46462199709145318882008-05-22T09:17:00.003-04:002008-05-22T09:27:07.907-04:00

For the past two decades I have been one of many who have followed the career of Steven Curtis Chapman. He is a talented artist who loves Jesus and has demonstrated huge spiritual growth over his career. As an enormous fan of parents who adopt, I am also thankful for Shaohannah's Hope, and International adoption ministry founded by Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. This ministry has assisted

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-51753321884478917852008-05-20T11:23:00.003-04:002008-05-20T12:25:53.212-04:00

One of the most annoying experiences of ministry often comes, interestingly enough, after I've preached a message. It's that moment when I'm standing in the back of the church shaking hands, and someone comes up and says "great message Dr. Rainey. I wish _________ could have been here to hear it. They need it!"Honestly, it's hard in moments like that to keep my temper at bay. I want to ask,

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-27719373674819976352008-05-05T09:34:00.003-04:002008-05-05T09:57:02.245-04:00

Yesterday I was invited to participate in the ordination service of Rev. Vyacheslav Paliy (he graciously let's me call him Slav). The service, held at the New Way Russian-Ukrainian Baptist Church, a church we helped start three years ago, was a beautiful example of the power of the Gospel, and the wisdom of contextualization. Though I understood very little that was said, it was still a very

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-77968847513701106572008-05-02T08:52:00.003-04:002008-05-02T08:59:08.056-04:00

Sometimes, in the midst of talking strategy, style, and approach (which are all important), we seem to forget substance. To be sure, change is a constant. I speak about cultural change a lot. But one thing must never change if the church is to be what she ought to be, and that is the centrality of the pulpit.Pastoral care is important. Church Growth is important. Studying culture is

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-66564418272892093782008-04-24T08:57:00.002-04:002008-04-24T09:04:30.147-04:00

I’ve just returned from Gulport Mississippi, where I spoke to the bi-annual session of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association. Over the past several years, our two associations have had multiple opportunities to bless each other, and this year, we are codifying our already warm relationship by entering into covenantal partnership with each other.The Gulf Coast Association voted unanimously on Monday

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-39995222101690552682008-04-22T18:34:00.005-04:002008-04-24T08:57:15.370-04:00

In recent weeks a number of events have transpired across the country concerning public education. While each of these events occurred independently of the others, each one bears significant testimony that John Dewey’s vision of public education is finally being realized.In other words, we have much to fear!The following words are difficult to write for several reasons. First of all, I hate

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-71910507441360359302008-04-09T17:29:00.002-04:002008-04-09T17:35:34.029-04:00

The good folks over at Missional Press have afforded me the opportunity to put a few of my feeble thoughts about church planting into published writing. As of today, the book is available for pre-sale at a reduced cost directly from the publisher. The plans are to release the book in a couple of weeks. At that point, it should be available for purchase from local bookstores, at Lifeway, and on

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-86446770340813660892008-04-04T00:37:00.002-04:002008-04-04T01:28:21.212-04:00

This week, I'm in Tuxtla-Gutierrez, the capital city of Chiapas, the southernmost state in Mexico. I and a team from our association have had the privilege of holding training for church planters here, as well as working with the Chiapas Convention and local association to develop a church planters network.Today, the participants caught fire! Before lunch, a strong network/learning community

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-69720091951964507472008-03-14T18:45:00.002-04:002008-03-14T19:08:23.975-04:00

I obtained the video below from my friend Spencer Haygood, and commend it to anyone who comes across this weblog. During all my years as a pastor, I have had to contend with the heresy known as the "Prosperity Gospel," or "Word of Faith" gospel. I abhor this message, chiefly because it replaces Christ's death and resurrection with the promise of good health and lots of money. In short, it

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-52139545092374440752008-02-14T14:23:00.004-05:002008-02-14T14:45:27.440-05:00

To the left is the most beautiful, intelligent, sagacious, gracious, gentle, sexy, humble, articulate, wonderful woman in the whole world! No wonder I'm hurting this week!My lovely wife is helping lead a team from our church on a vision trip to the island of Antigua. She will be back this Sunday night, so I have taken a week of mission trip leave to work from home and stay with the boys.

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-15909660803313824832008-02-06T11:08:00.000-05:002008-02-06T11:23:36.916-05:00

Last night, much of the nation was glued to TV sets watching the "Super Tuesday" primaries, and I'll admit to being among that crowd. But while the nation's attention was turned primarily toward politics, a group of Baptist students and educators were dealing with a weather nightmare. Thank God no lives were lost, and thank God for the opportunity given the leaders of this institution to bear

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-8713065454875477922008-02-04T12:20:00.000-05:002008-02-04T13:01:45.320-05:00

Is it hard to associate this picture with Jerry Falwell? If so, you are among the majority of people who don't realize that what you saw of him on CNN was only a scant glance at the periphery of a deep, abiding, and lasting ministry legacy.I was invited by Dave Earley to come to Liberty University last week, speak to students about church planting, and play a part in their Church Planting

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-17381341529904255432008-01-09T16:05:00.000-05:002008-01-10T13:43:46.313-05:00

This weekend, our association will be leading the Frontliners Conference at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Glenwood, Maryland, in cooperation with the International Mission Board's Middle America/Carribean Region.International Missions: its a subject that excites the heart of anyone who truly loves Jesus and wants to see Him more widely known among all peoples. But how can we know that our

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-53220300824550943832008-01-03T11:10:00.000-05:002008-01-03T11:42:27.857-05:00

Late last year, I read this article, which pricked my conscience regarding "working vacations" and other such oxymoronic concepts. As a result, I arranged my schedule at the end of 2007 so that the combination of holidays and remaining vacation time would give me a full two weeks to spend with my family. For 14 days I had no laptop and no cell phone. With the exception of our associational

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-31877413410377722352007-12-10T20:49:00.000-05:002007-12-10T20:51:13.650-05:00

Non-Crappy Starring You! eCards on JibJabIts that time of year when our family takes some time off and spends a couple of weeks with extended family in South Carolina. God willing, I'll be back here in mid-January. But for now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Enjoy watching my boys pummelling each other above!

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-13554760349959041532007-12-07T16:38:00.001-05:002007-12-07T17:04:24.428-05:00

In the wake of Mitt Romney's speech last night, many born-again followers of Jesus are asking if his Mormon faith should be a factor in their decision of whether to vote for him as President in 2008. Given all the discussion surrounding this issue in the news media and on the blogs, I thought I'd share my own feelings on the issue, and tell you how Romney's faith affects my views of him as a

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-76268950018188065902007-12-03T13:17:00.000-05:002007-12-03T14:33:45.631-05:00

As I understand it, a torrent of protest is currently rising among evangelical Christians who want to see The Golden Compass banned from theatres because of its "stealth atheistic message." But I say "bring it on!" The free exchange of ideas is, after all, a highly held American value. Plus, from what I've seen of this film, it will only serve to remind clear thinkers that atheism never had an

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-70893388803722388282007-11-15T10:40:00.000-05:002007-11-15T11:15:00.264-05:00

This week, I'm with the pastoral leadership of one of our churches in Columbus, Ohio at the International Mission Board Pacific Rim Conference.Although there is much information I cannot share because of security concerns, I want to briefly reflect on the work God is doing in that region of the world, as well as the work I believe God wants to do there.The Workers: We Southern Baptists are truly

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-67232711020144781322007-11-13T12:43:00.000-05:002007-11-13T13:34:18.560-05:00

Well, its official! By his official endorsement of Rudolph Giuliani, televangelist Pat Robertson tells American evangelicals it is worth voting for a candidate who favors the murder of unborn children in lieu of the fact that his position on fighting terrorism means the continued existence of a nation that murders unborn children.Make no mistake, in some evangelical circles, nationalism now

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-60702214129354321702007-11-07T13:23:00.000-05:002007-11-07T15:42:34.548-05:00

Ever see otherwise intelligent folk do something that could qualify for the $1000 award on "Country Fried Home Videos?" Every time I watch that show I am amazed that the same people who attempt those mindless stunts manage to hold a steady job, speak in complete sentences, or even breed.But if we are honest, we all would have to admit times when we have done things that call our intelligence and

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-1154930781755443362007-10-30T22:18:00.000-04:002007-10-30T22:58:08.133-04:00

Its been a great week so far. Today I spoke to classes at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary about church planting. My friend and fellow partner in crime Dr. Jack Allen actually allowed his students to be exposed to me. I always enjoy the opportunity to be back in the classroom and interact with students.Dr. Allen asked me to speak primarily on two things: 1. What I would reccomend

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-53308567967248844012007-10-26T11:14:00.000-04:002007-10-26T11:56:04.798-04:00

In the United States, its hip to be a whore! If you think that statement too strong, perhaps you simply aren't paying attention.Over the past few years, sex has been so trivialized and perverted in the west that it hardly bears resemblance any longer to the intimate gift between husband and wife God intended it to be. Reality shows, movies, magazines and even the "female pornography" disguised

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-15615915503871599932007-10-12T16:36:00.000-04:002007-10-12T17:06:29.244-04:00

"Emerging," "Incarnational," "Missional." A Google Search on any of these terms will reveal them to be the most discussed and hotly debated topics within the church today. But how on earth do these terms, and their much-debated definitions, help the average follower of Jesus who is genuinely seeking to live his faith in his own context? This past May, I was asked to be part of a dialogue to

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-84152824194027722882007-10-07T17:17:00.000-04:002007-10-07T17:19:56.687-04:00

I was privileged, not only to be raised in a church environment, but also to be raised in a “missionary” church environment. As such, my history included numerous opportunities to hear from missionaries who were serving Jesus all over the world. This included “short term” volunteers who sought to take the Gospel to different parts of the globe.Such an environment allowed me to hear all sorts of

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-31069441910598761732007-09-22T00:14:00.000-04:002007-09-22T00:57:45.792-04:00

We Southern Baptists are blessed to have six theological seminaries spread out all over the country. Most aspiring ministers of the Gospel are within driving distance to at least one of these institutions, and all are fine places to prepare yourself for ministry. But lately, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is becoming my favorite!Granted, thats saying a lot for a two-time graduate of

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-17350099810603037332007-09-20T09:49:00.000-04:002007-09-20T11:46:10.203-04:00

Some of our pastors and planters spent a couple of great days this week at Branch Creek Church near Philadelphia at the Purpose Driven Launching Conference. One of the issues we deal with regularly in Maryland church planting is that of obtaining the "critical mass" neccesary for a church to really "take off." And given the number of folks who attended this series of meetings, I suspect

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-13578931937724627482007-08-28T09:50:00.000-04:002007-08-28T17:31:21.923-04:00

To the left and below are pictures of a recent church planting seminar I was privileged to lead in southern Mexico. God is indeed moving all over the world, and His presence in Mexico is evident in the fact that the churches of that area want to plant a new church in every "municipo" (county seat) in the state of Chiapas. I was privileged to lead a team from our association to respond to an

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-24443057047023171802007-08-27T20:17:00.000-04:002007-08-27T20:19:00.789-04:00

He denies that Jesus is Messiah, and calls the President of my alma mater a “spiritual racist” because of his belief that Jesus is the only way to God. Needless to say, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is one of the last people with whom I thought I would ever agree!Last Thursday evening was like most Thursday evenings for me: I came home from a day at the office to take my wife to the gym, my kids to the

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-3965343991976926862007-08-20T20:37:00.000-04:002007-08-20T21:07:07.872-04:00

I love to write.There is something about the exercise of putting your thoughts into words that brings clarity, and when the subject is God and His Gospel, the mental clarity gained from writing frequently makes its way to the heart as well. But from time to time, even the best writers recognize that with regard to certain subjects, there are others who have "said it better."God willing, next week

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-91137980871397400502007-08-10T18:45:00.000-04:002007-08-10T19:56:34.705-04:00

As a whole, I am very grateful for the emphasis given to the discipline of church leadership over the past two decades. Given the dearth of such training for pastors throughout much of the twentieth century, coupled with the enormous changes that have taken place in the pastoral role, the study and practice of sound leadership principles is absolutely essential.At the same time, I have grave

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-42579559019698077802007-07-14T23:26:00.000-04:002007-07-15T00:41:26.262-04:00

Since the latter part of 2005 there has been a debate among SBC conservatives, a sometimes not-so-friendly one, on the nature of Biblical Baptism. Birthed from the new baptism guideline adopted by the IMB's trustee board, this conversation has unfolded to include many fruitful and useful conversations about church membership, accountability, making disciples, church planting, and cross-cultural

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949850.post-12295082569559388052007-07-06T12:57:00.000-04:002007-07-06T18:03:03.234-04:00

Let's face it: American evangelicalism is awash in pulpit therapy, "felt needs" foci, and nationalistic materialism. Even with our "conservative" approach to Scripture, it seems we are less and less transformed by Scripture. Radically following Christ is defined, not in terms of martyrdom, but rather in terms of wearing a Christian T-shirt into a public school.In this environment, it is truly

.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.com9