Missouri Southern Baptist Convention v. Acts 29

The Acts 29 Church Planting Network is now totally at odds with the MSBC. I have been reading about this story for a couple of days now. Alcohol seems to be part of the discussion even if not the whole story. Hysterically, how some of these guys dress seems to be part of the discussion in some circles. My guess is the real issue is the vision and methodology. The Acts 29 guys are wanting to men and women saved and culture engaged. The SBC seems to want the Power Team and are just fine with the "40 Days of Purpose." None of this really surprises me at all as I continue to have a "love/hate" relationship with the SBC.

The SBC has more than a few things going for it, such as Southern, Ed Stetzer and 9Marks. But I fear these will further the breach between those who care enough to think biblically and missionally so as to "save some." And those who will not.

The following are more links to the discussion:

Acts 29 is Kicked out of Missouri - Show Me the Love!

If You Don’t Know You Better Axe Somebody

Acts 29 De-funded by Missouri Baptist Convention

When I Am Ashamed to be a Southern Baptist

Acts 29 is Banned

Mo. Baptist leaders restrict funding for church starts, angering some

No Funding for SBC/Acts 29 Church Plants in Missouri

Only a Bama Fan Would Not be Moved

Prodigal Sons Trailer

Justin Taylor posts the trailer for the short film, Prodigal Sons from Modern Parables.

Huckabee?

This is one of the few reasons I have not yet come out in support of Huckabee. I know National Review is wanting America'a Mayor to be the next Republican Candidate (which to me veers far from the original convictions of a Buckley-run NR) but I do think Jonah Goldberg has a more sophisticated understanding of foreign policy than Huckabee does.

Update: This makes more sense.

Tebow is the First Sophmore to Win the Heisman

How Can Christians Explain the Truth to All People?

Video of John Piper promoting the Resurgence Conference

Calvin Quote on Worship

But as in external discipline and ceremonies, he has not been pleased to prescribe every particular that we ought to observe (he foresaw that this depended on the nature of the times, and that one form would not suit all ages), in them we must have recourse to the general rules which he has given, employing them to test whatever the necessity of the Church may require to be enjoined for order and decency. Lastly, as he has not delivered any express command, because things of this nature are not necessary to salvation, and, for the edification of the Church, should be accommodated to the varying circumstances of each age and nation, it will be proper, as the interest of the Church may require, to change and abrogate the old, as well as to introduce new forms. I confess, indeed, that we are not to innovate rashly or incessantly, or for trivial causes. Charity is the best judge of what tends to hurt or to edify: if we allow her to be guide, all things will be safe.

From: Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (1997). Institutes of the Christian religion. Translation of: Institutio Christianae religionis.; Reprint, with new introd. Originally published: Edinburgh : Calvin Translation Society, 1845-1846. (IV, x, 30). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

What I Am Reading...

Actually, I am no longer reading this one because I finished it yesterday but I really enjoyed Confessions of a Reformission Rev. by Mark Driscoll. I can see why so many people do not like him, he is a little rough around the edges but I can't help but like him. His passion for the lost in a city as hard to reach as Seattle is contagious. He challenged me in areas such as Prayer and boldness in evangelism and confirmed a few suspicions I had about the way most people think about ministry in the 21st century.

As of now I am mired in Shelby Foote's The Civil War: A Narrative. It is a 3 volume work which I have always wanted to read because I know next to nothing about the Civil War. I am so clueless about most of the wars and politics involved in the Civil War that I have only recently learned not to tell people in rural Mississippi how much you like Lincoln. My public education in the city limits of Birmingham taught me nothing of the particulars of the longstanding attitudes regarding "The War Between the Satates." Anyway, I picked up the first volume for $15 at Barnes and Noble. If you are at all a history buff and want to really get into the details of the Civil War (that's the War of Nothern Agression for those of you still saving your Confederate money) this is the book for you. Each volume is approximately 800 pages. I am not quite 1/4 of the way through the first volume and I am riveted by what I am reading. So far the only person I really like in this story is Lincoln...many of many Southern friends are very scandalized by that last statement.

6 in a Row

"Give the Lord a Shout!"

So I have been listening to a lot of Casting Crowns lately. After going to their concert I downloaded all their albums from itunes. Some of the albums are live albums.

Well, during one song the lead singer, Mark hall, says "Give the Lord a shout!" I have to admit it irked me to no end...for a while...

But then I remembered that the OT, especially in the Psalms...

...describes shouting as positive...

May we shout for joy over your salvation - 20:5

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord. - Ps 27:6

and commands it throughout...


Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy - Ps 32:11

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. - Ps 33:1

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. - Ps 33:3

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!- Ps 47:1

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you;
my soul also, which you have redeemed. - Ps 71:23

There are some views, opinions and preferences I will have to forever unlearn.

Letter re: Me Leaving the PCA

To the family of Westminster,

Matt Redmond has informed the Session of some changes in his views that are doctrinally different from the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), specifically on baptism. Matt seeks to answer God’s calling to ordination as a minister of the Word and a ministry position outside of the PCA.

We love Matt and Bethany and no one wants them to leave. We should not and will not hinder Matt in answering God’s calling for his life and his ministry. So it is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Matt and Bethany are now actively seeking a ministry position elsewhere.

Whenever that call comes about, Westminster will be sending them out as one of our own, whom we love dearly. Please join us in praying for them as they seek to respond to where God would have them to go.

Together with you in His service,
The Session


Mark Barger
Walter Pillow
Craig Brewer
Kent Savage
John Downs
Jeff Warren

Mark Noll on Music in the Church throughout History

Mark Noll's contribution to the Christian Vision Project is entitled Praise the Lord.

Among other things, he asks, "What explains the power of song so powerfully to shape, anchor, encourage, disturb, unite, divide, and distract Christian communities?"

Hat Tip: JT

Favorite Piper Qoute

From my mentor...I just wish he knew he was...

Inside and outside the church we are drowning in a sea of triviality, pettiness, banality, and silliness. Television is trivial. Radio is trivial. Conversation is trivial. Education is trivial. Christian books are trivial. Worship styles are trivial. It is inevitable that the human heart, which was made to be staggered with terrifyingly joyous dread and peace by an infinitely untouchable, embracing God—it is inevitable that such a heart, drowning in the all-pervasive, blurry boredom of banal entertainment, will reach for the best buzz that life can give: sex.

Why I Will Not Support Ron Paul

If you have been attracted to Ron Paul at all for any reason, you need to read what the American Thinker has to say about him and who his supporters are. This will disappoint many but my hope is that he will be repudiated by all those who love Christ.

Some Recommended Listening

I have not posted much in the last week or so...not sure why but I thought i would get something on here.

Here are some albums I have been listening to lately that I would recommend...