Confessions of a Non-Missional Seminarian

Well, the semester is over. I took my last final today. It has been very good. All of the assigned reading was money. My only complaint would be that there was so much that it fosters superficial reading which results in lack of retention. Nevertheless, I had the gospels opened up to me by Dr. Schreiner in his Intro to NT class. Hermeneutics and Postmodernism were excellent classes with Dr. Wellum, especially his emphasis on biblical theology. I also had a lot of fun doing my paper for his class on a missional ecclesiology. I put together lists for books on biblical and missional theology for those interested. The only problem is being stuck in the bubble of seminary life. I was unfaithful this semester in my calling to be a missionary to Louisville. I just didn't make the time. I could come up with a hundred excuses, but they would all be lame. I am first a follower of Christ, second Alicia's husband, third an ambassador of Christ, and fourth a seminary student. I got these priorities out of whack this semester. Next semester, I plan on putting aside specified time to be meeting/interacting/witnessing to people in town. If I don't make time, it won't happen.

Give Thanks

'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.' -John 3.27

'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above' -James 1.17

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kramer Apologizes

For those of you who don't know, Michael Richards went on a racist rant this week at a comedy club. The full story is here. I won't post a link to his rant due to the obscenity he uses. It was sad, and wicked. He doesnt quite know what caused him to rage like that. The answer is the depravity of the human heart. Maybe this unexpected manifestation of wickedness in his heart will show him his need for a Saviour. Of course he is no more depraved than any of us. If it were not for the power of God's Spirit, our hearts would be (and were) filled with the same hate. Praise God for the miracle of regeneration. Pray for Michael Richards.

What is your theological worldview?

Reformed Evangelical 93% Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 86% Neo orthodox 64% Fundamentalist 61% Emergent/Postmodern 46% Charismatic/Pentecostal 36% Classical Liberal 21% Roman Catholic 21% Modern Liberal 18% Take the Quiz for yourself.

Benny Hinn

Are you serious?

Just wanted to give a shout-out..blog-out..post-out.. to my lovely wife. Happy 23rd birthday Alicia!

back to work

The trip to Chicago was a lot of fun! The ACT3 conference was excellent. You can get the audio here. The main sessions from John Franke and John Armstrong were great. We were very encouraged and refreshed by all the speakers. We were particularly encouraged by talking with John Armstrong, who showed a passion for Christ, love for the church, and Christian humility. After the conference we hung out in Chicago, which was great, but my sinus infection turned into bronchitis. We couldn't leave without seeing the MJ statue and eating some deep dish at Gino's East. On Sunday we visited First Reformed Christian Church of South Holland. I wanted to share the prayer of confession we prayed with the church (whose avg. age was probably around 50 or so):

O God, You have called us to be a Missional Church. We have been content to send money and let others do the mission. Forgive us, O Lord. Help us to realize the mission field is next door. Give us the courage to let Your light shine before those within our community. Lord help us to share Your goodness and love.

Missional Church

I have been buried in books and articles about the missional church. I am doing a 20-25 page paper on the need for a missional ecclesiology for my postmodernism class. It has been a lot of fun so far. I found out that Act 3 is having a conference near Chicago called 'The Missional Church and the Kingdom of Christ.' It was only $25 per couple so yesterday Alicia and I booked a hotel for the weekend. It should be an interesting conference. If not, at least I will have fun with Alicia in Chicago.