William C. Tinsley, Church Planting
“To remove the strategy of church planting from the New Testament would in effect remove all Scripture beyond the Gospels. The disciples and apostles mad church planting their strategy to penetrate first century society. The design of Christ’s strategy soon became very clear. His strategy was to plant churches…to establish communities of believers…throughout all the nations of the world. The Apostles saw the expansion of new churches in the world as the pivotal cog through which the life transforming power of God would be transferred to the world.”
-William C. Tinsley
American Idol Gives Back?
Did anyone else catch American Idol last night? What did you think?
Here’s what I thought. On the one hand, I’m thankful that American Idol is raising awareness of and seeking to help the poverty problem in both Africa and America. The common grace foundations of my theology give me great cause to celebrate this. But, on the other hand, I was sickened over much of what I saw last night. The whole show, especially the forced-towards-tears interviews with the poor, seemed to exploit the poor and laud wealthy sponsors rather than extend compassion and hope to those in need.
It was striking to me how during one of the teary Africa interviews Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell had nothing to say to a young African boy shrouded in suffering. They could offer no hope. None. They didn’t know what to say. All they did say was something to the effect of “let it out…cry it out.” They helped the poor boy cry, but they gave him no hope.
And, how could Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, and American Idol give words of hope to such a boy if they don’t know the God of hope? They may be able to raise some money and put a few dollars in that boy’s hands (and that would be quite helpful), but what that poor boy needs most of all is to be told words of hope–to be told about the God who has entered into human suffering in order to experience the worst suffering of all. The transforming hope that the world’s poor need is this news of the God who understands their suffering because he once plunged his beloved Son into the pit of suffering so that he could welcome many into a rich eternity.
Robinson Crusoe Day
It was 288 years ago today that the novel my son is named after was first published (click here to learn more about the intriguing history behind R.C.).
Many thanks to Steve Whitacre for alerting me to what he calls “Robinson Crusoe Day.”
Yawning & Prayer
“Do the angels in heaven Yawn when you pray?”
-Jack Miller
Dave Harvey, “If You’re Called to Lead, You’re Called to Read.”
"If you’re called to lead you’re called to read."
-Dave Harvey
Agreed? Leaders, how much time do you devote to reading during the average week?
T4G Video
The promo video for next year’s Together For the Gospel Conference is now available. I went to this conference last year and benefitted tremendously. I plan to go in 2008. Check out the video to see what this conference is all about.
Easter Baptism
On Easter we had the joy of celebrating many baptisms here at CPC. This included the baptisms of 3 of my favorite guys from our twenties group. I loved how these guys articulated the gospel before we dunked them and I was moved by the joy they expressed upon coming up out of the water. Here’s some more pictures (click to enlarge):
Are You Too Introspective?
Remember how I said that I missed David Powlison’s session at the Sovereign Grace Leadership Conference? Well, it sounds like I missed a message that I really need to hear as, apparently, Powlison spoke of the dangers of over introspection. I just read Mark Lauterbach’s reflections on Powlison’s message and, man, how freeing it is to turn from introspection and look up at our Savior. I’m way too introspective–wait, there I go again, looking at myself. I’d encourage you to take 3 minutes and read Mark’s reflections.
