Category Archives: Ministry

Fred Luter Jr.

Fred Luter Jr. is awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at Criswell College. The L.A. Times has featured a story on Reverend Fred Luter Jr., as Southern Baptists look forward to his election as the first African-American president of the denomination: Luter, 55, is running unopposed for president, and his election at this months national meeting is viewed as inevitable. Its an astounding journey for a man from New … Continue reading

Why Church Architecture Matters

Its not the outside that matters. Its what is on the inside. Right? How important, then, are church buildings? In an article entitled Buildings Matter Because Bodies Matter, Matt Anderson discusses the importance of architecture in the life of the church: However much architecture matters, though, its important to note that the evangelical wariness about church buildings has important biblical grounding. Stephen sums up the position in Acts 7 when … Continue reading

A Seeker’s Prayer

At the end of the book On the Trinity St. Augustine prays to God for grace to know Him and make Him known. Relentlessly pursuing God but also recognizing the limitations of his own intellect, he humbly relies on God to lead him into the truth. His prayer expresses the fervency and humility that should be in the heart of every follower of Jesus Christ, especially those who have been … Continue reading

John Broadus on Preaching

*Posted by Andrew Hebert Enjoy this quote on preaching by the late John Broadus of Southern Seminary: It is so easy and pleasant for men of fertile fancy to break away from laborious study of phraseology and connection, to cease plodding along the rough and homely paths of earth, and sport, free and rejoicing, in the open heaven; the people are so charmed by ingenious novelties, so carried away with … Continue reading

Expository Preaching

Dr. Barry Creamer explains what expository preaching is and why it is important for the church today:

The Dangers of Seminary

Dr. Bruce Ashfordof Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary discusses the potential perils of seminary life. I can say that life in a seminary context has been good in many respects. It is a place where I learned to study Gods Word and relate it to all aspects of His world. I was introduced to church history, systematic theology, apologetics, and much more. I formed friendships that will last for a lifetime, … Continue reading

Hospitality as an Instrument for the Gospel

*Posted by Andrew Hebert. Andrew blogs regularly at Looks Like Reign. Hospitality . . . means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Henri Nouwen Hospitality the discipline of opening up your life, home, and resources to those around you is a lost art. I should actually say, it is a Biblical command that has been at … Continue reading

But He Has a Good Heart!

*Posted by Bill Watson. This piece was originally posted at lookslikereign.com. In Christian circles, it is common to hear of a particular person as having a good heart while lacking deep understanding of the Bible. This is often considered an acceptable failing, so long as the person really does have a good heart. There are many problems with this kind of perception. The following is an excerpt from St. Augustines … Continue reading

Should Pastors Have A Salary Cap?

*Posted by Joe Wooddell Versions of this question typically come up at some point in my ethics classes, and the discussion and arguments become heated to say the least. When the topic ensues, someone usually begins with comments like, I just dont think pastors should make huge salaries; they shouldnt drive Cadillac Escalades; and they shouldnt live in million dollar homes. The responses seem obvious to me: Why not? What … Continue reading