Please note: this article appeared originally in the Missio Nexxus publication, an organization attempting to return the North American missions community to the basics of evangelism, discipleship and church planting at its 100th anniversary year. The Christian Faith experiences weakness, even rapid waning when evangelism is lost in the heart, mind, and activity of its adherents. Christianity on both sides of the North Atlantic arc provides empirical proof of evangelistic neglect leading to missional collapse, and dare I remark, civilizational decline. First, then a confession, and then some convictions for your personal and agency considerations toward spiritual and organizational restructure.[1] “Uncorrected […]
The Power of the Gospel Since people move from the lost side of “God’s and-yet bridge” to the right side, the power of the gospel to change a life is the result of salvation. Their biblical status, and even their existential situation, is changed in the exchange. For example, “guilty” is not only a divine verdict but also a personal feeling. When unbelievers embrace the gospel, both the theological verdict and personal feeling of guilt are changed to “forgiven.” Yes, they are theologically forgiven by God, but they also sense being forgiven by God. “To us who are being saved […]
By Jim Brenneman Via LeaderSource Some friends of mine are getting ready to head to the mission field in South America. When asked what they will be doing there, the answer was pastoring a small church and discipling the believers while doing evangelism. Here is what I wrote to this young couple: You guys are supposed to be doing much more than pastoring and evangelizing in a remote village! Read more at HealthyLeaders.com
Pastor J, a former family court probation officer, could be enjoying his retirement years by taking a well-deserved rest, perhaps using his nest egg for a once in a lifetime getaway. This man of God, however, is currently studying at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and investing his time, energy, money and fundraising efforts into ministry. An evangelist involved in several ministry streams including youth and prison outreach, Pastor J first heard about the Congress while attending chapel at DTS. The chapel speaker for that day “happened” to be Dr. Ramesh Richard. Pastor J asked Dr. Richard if there would be […]
by Reuben van Rensburg The landscape of theological education worldwide is changing rapidly and pastoral trainers need to be alert as they consider further studies, or recommend their trainees begin studying at tertiary level. I will divide this article into three sections, namely international, the African continent and the situation in South Africa. International It is clear that throughout the world the institutions which are evangelical and which remain faithful to the Scriptures are generally doing well, whereas those which hold to a liberal view are shrinking. Mary Ann Mueller, in her article Episcopal Seminaries Struggle to Survive, aptly […]
Editors Note: This article appeared originally on the Lausanne Movement website and was featured previously on Christianity Today. In this article, I consider the strategic priority of pastoral training for intentional global ministry and missions partnerships. I also propose practical considerations for both strategists and practitioners in pastoral training—whether individuals or churches, but especially for formal and institutional programs as well as non-formal organizational initiatives. Examples around the world: the need for pastoral training Recently, the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostals informally contacted the Kampala (Uganda) Evangelical School of Theology to help with basic training for their pastors—30,000 of them. Is […]
By Aaron Buer Every church is different. We have different worship styles, staff configurations, values, and preaching styles. This diversity of expression is a beautiful thing. However, there’s one thing that should be consistent in all of our churches. Discipleship. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20) It’s kind of “the thing”. If you aren’t making disciples then you aren’t a church. You’re something else entirely. We all know […]
Meet the author writing Bible curriculum for rural pastors Part pastoral trainer, part curriculum developer, Ms. L has authored Bible courses for rural pastors over the last 30 years of her full-time missionary work. With a lifelong training background that originated from twelve years teaching high school to then teaching aspiring pastors and leaders at a Bible college, she now uses her skills and training to draft easy to understand and distribute Bible courses. Australia serves as the home base for this roving missionary. Her curriculum has traveled across most continents and been used in about 15 countries. Now she […]
In this episode, Dr. Darrell L. Bock and Tom Nelson discuss work and the pastorate, focusing on the church’s relationship to the business world. 00:15 Nelson’s background integrating a theology of work with ministry 03:30 How the concept of faith and work entered Nelson’s ministry 06:30 The importance of Genesis to biblical theology of work 11:45 How did understanding a biblical theology of work affect your ministry? EXCERPT FROM TRANSCRIPT: Tom Nelson: But yeah, I was committed to teaching the word, to helping people walk closer to Jesus in their own private walk with God, and helping them with their […]
Details: Order: Handbook to Happiness: A Biblical Guide to Victorious Living Read chapter by chapter book overview. “Handbook to Happiness: A Biblical Guide to Victorious Living” by Dr. Charles R. Solomon is a fifty-year classic, with more than a quarter of a million copies sold. Although believers are enriched by deeper life devotional writers like Watchman Nee, Andrew Murray, and Oswald Chambers, people struggling with life-controlling problems assume that “devotional truth” does not directly pertain to their need for personal freedom. In “Handbook to Happiness,” the author bridges this gap, providing a clarified, practical handbook for strategic discipling and […]
