Category Archives: Southern Baptist Convention

As a seminary student, I am very thankful for men like Tom Ascol, Alvin Reid, Nathan Finn, Daniel Akin, and Ed Stetzer (to name only a few) who exhibit biblical charity when dealing with issues that are, quite frankly, secondary.

I am excited then by SEBT’s announcment today on their Between the Times blog that they will be conducting an “Exercise in Bridge-Building” over the next few days.

To be honest, I’m tired of the ceaseless shouting-matches by the theological grown-ups. I’m glad some know how to disagree with biblical love and charity.

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Posted in Reformation, Southern Baptist Convention

Tagged Baptists, Bible, Calvinism, Charity, Love, SBC

Michael Spencer on the SBC

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 577 Comments

Michael Spencer (the Internet Monk) has a great post today on whether the SBC is “getting it”.

Here’s the real gem of the post:

What’s still not there? It’s the Gospel stupid. Not buildings, programs and methods. That will help, more or less, but it won’t get to the core of the SBC’s problem: vast numbers of people who don’t know the gospel, preach the gospel, teach the gospel, believe the gospel or see a need to shape the integrity of the church around the gospel.

If the SBC decides that blaming Calvinists, printing more literature, more conferences and promoting more bureaucrat designed solutions isn’t the answer, it will have made enormous progress. When it figures out that the centrality of the Gospel and the core implications that come from the Gospel are what’s missing across the SBC landscape, real hope will dawn.

I thank God for all the faithful people working to make the Gospel, once again, the central focus of the cooperative, evangelistic, mission-centered ministry of Southern Baptists. Don’t quit!

-Michael Spencer

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Posted in Quotes, Southern Baptist Convention

Tagged Baptists, Southern Baptist Convention, The Gospel, Theology

“Growing a Local Church”, Church Discipline and Church Growth (Dr. Tom Ascol)

Posted on September 27, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 1,444 Comments

The final session has completed. This last session was on Church Discipline and Church Growth, by Dr. Tom Ascol.

Tom spoke on the two forms of Church Discipline, Formative and Corrective, as well as the two forms of Church Growth, Numerical and Spiritual

Formative Church Discipline is something that should happen all the time within the church. It is that educational, instructional learning that every member of a Church should be experiencing. Corrective Church Discipline, then, is necessary when when formative discipline is not happening in a member, and when that member remains unrepentent of his/her sin.

He made a very good point about corrective discpline in that it is NOT in response to sin, but rather in response to a lack of and unwillingness to repent of that sin. It should be done in love and with reverence, never out of hatred or spite.

In talking about Church Growth, Tom made the point that in the current evangelical culture we exist in, where the Church Growth Movement has run totally amock, we sometimes are too reactionary and that we SHOULD seek for numerical growth, but Biblical Numerical Growth.

In addition, Tom spoke of the Spiritual Growth that should be happening in a church, wherebye her members are made more like her Savior.

Finally, Tom made a Biblical and Historical connection between Church Discipline and Church Growth. If Church Discipline is not happening, then Biblical Church Growth is not happening. Likewise, if a Church is practicing Biblical Church Discipline, then some form of Biblical Church Growth should be expected.

Overall, very good session and good conclusion to the conference. I’ll try to put together a summary of my thoughts of the conference maybe later today or tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the quotes and pictures.

I think I screwed up the video for this session, so you’ll have to content yourself with the mp3 when it is made available. Rath Dé ort!

Church Discipline is absolutely necessary for Church Health.

Church Discipline is the process of maintaining and training the principles and practices of Jesus Christ in the Church.

Church growth is that which happens in the life of the congregation when the Lord manifests his blessings.

The Faithful practice of Church Discipline…has often been followed with wonderful seasons of Church Growth.

Our modern forgetfulness of Church Discipline practically screams out a ‘Practical Atheism’

When a Church takes the name of Jesus Christ and yet refuses to obey the simple, clear teachings of Christ that church is at best clouding over the glory of God in Christ.

We should never expect Revival to come without Reformation.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Church Discipline, Church Growth, God's Glory, Repentance, Sin

“Growing the Local Church”, Biblical Church Membership (Dr. Tom Ascol)

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 534 Comments

Very good message on Biblical Church Membership by Brother Tom. Below are some highlights. (followed by the usual video and photographs)

The Church is a priority in God’s application of the Redemptive Work of His Son until Christ returns.

Excuses normally used to leave churches are not excuses to leave, they’re excuses to grow!

Church Membership IS Biblical. And, because it is Biblical, it is vitally important.
- It is created and planned by God

7 Lines of Reasoning in Support of Church Membership

1.) Because of the Example we have in the N.T. of Believers
2.) Church Membership is a necessary presupposition of Church Discipline
3.) The Metaphors of the Church in the N.T. require individuals to be definitely connected to the Whole of the Assembly
4.) The Relationship in the NT that exist between the Pastors and the People they serve
5.) A Biblical distinction between “insiders” and “outsiders”
6.) The existence of lists using in the Early Church
7.) The Exhortations we find in N.T. letters to Believers to mutually edify each other

We are called to follow Christ together with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We are to be in Covenanted Community with our Family Members in Christ.

Church Membership is a means of Grace God gives to His children

Jesus Christ loves the Church

If He loves the church, how can we Love Him but not Love what He loves?

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1603096&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Biblical Church Membership, Obedience, Scripture

More Fun at SBFC-SW

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 489 Comments

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Founders Ministries, Fun, Photography

“Growing the Local Church”, 1 Corinthians 3 (Pastor Steve Garrick)

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 313 Comments

This session was preached by one of my pastors, Pastor Steve Garrick, on the Foundation of the Church, namely Jesus Christ. I’ve provided a few quotes below for your digestion, as well as the video of the sermon and some pictures, like always. :-) Enjoy! Slán go foill!

1 Corinthians 3

Is it acceptable for us as Human Beings to define the Church to begin with?

Your Christology determines your Ecclesiology.

The Church is evaluated on this basis: Have I preached Christ?

Calvinism, if I can use that word, is necessary in understanding the Church.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1602628&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Calvinism, Christ, Church Growth, Reformation, The Church

“Growing the Local Church” Q&A

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 1,350 Comments

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1602480&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Evangelism, Reformation, Scripture, The Gospel

“Growing the Local Church”, The Emergent Church (Dr. Tom Ascol)

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 57 Comments

I fear that if I put my notes up from this session I will erroneously portray what Tom spoke about. So, I’ll just include a couple of quotes and then pictures and I would strongly encourage you to view the video below. It was one of the most fair, gracious, and knowledgeable presentations of the Emergent Movement I’ve yet heard. Well worth your time to watch and listen to it.

Just because you can’t know everything doesn’t mean you can’t know anything.

Evangelicalism is more American than Evangelical.

Their chastened epistemology becomes un-hinged subjectivism. [speaking of the Emergent Movement]

Emergents today find themselves the unabashed Liberals of tomorrow.

Any Church that marries the culture today becomes a widow tomorrow. [paraphrase provided by Mike Woodall]

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1601741&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Dr. Tom Ascol, Founders Ministries, The Emergent Church, The Gospel, Truth

Founders Info

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 1,852 Comments

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1601546&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Founders Ministries, Reformation

“Growing the Local Church” – Evangelism and Church Growth (Pastor Jason Montgomery)

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 951 Comments

My notes verbatim from “Evangelim and Church Growth” by Jason Montgomery: (remember, my words, NOT JASON’s :-) )

Did Jesus have to die for the Church to grow? (first question)

This is a question that needs to be considered by every faithful preacher of the Word of God.
The Gospel is absolutely unexpected.
The Word of the Gospel should not be received by anyone in the World. This is foolishness to the World.
- the world depends on its own word

If you want something that works, preach the Gospel!
-if you wanna be innovative, PREACH THE GOSPEL!!!

God takes nobodies and makes them into somebodies in his own economy.
The Gospel is not some amazing sign that the world is expected to be enamored with.
- we are in danger of operating out of an understanding of the Gospel, as well as an understanding of people that are taught in the Word of God.
- People DON’T LIKE JESUS
3 Observations from the Passage (1 Cor. 1:18-2:5)
“The Gospel of the Cross of Christ arrives in unexpected offense”
“The Gospel of the Cross of Christ delivers un unexpected impact”
“The Gospel of the Cross of Christ in proclaimed in unexpected weakness”

The Gospel of the Cross of Christ arrives in unexpected offense
-The Gospel not only lacks cultural sensitivies
-In fact, it has cultural insensitivities
-it is counter cultural!
-it is folly to those who are perishing
-we go into the world to destroy unbelief
-man does not tell God what Truth is
-man fancies himself a god in his own right until they see God
-no man can stand before God and say that He did not make His Truth available
-His glory HAS been made available!
-you want Drama? Set the Gospel on stage.
“What men are wanting us to do is come and stroke their idols”

The Gospel of the Cross of Christ delivers an unexpected impact
God uses the foolish things!
“From the world’s perspective we are no prize. Yet from a heavenly perspective, these are the kinds of people God endeavors to save”
God does not target the world’s elite with His Gospel

The Gospel of the Cross of Christ is proclaimed in unexpected weakness
Paul’s logic warns us against separating the message from the methods
Celebrity evangelism shows that we are in danger of losing sight of the power of the Spirit driven Gospel

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1601488&w=425&h=350&fv=autoplay%3Dfalse]

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Church Growth, Evangelism, God's Grace, Missions, The Church

Fun at the SBFC-SW

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 641 Comments

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Eating, Food, Fun, Photography

Photos from the Conference (Set #1)

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 1,157 Comments

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Posted in Southern Baptist Founders Conference Southwest

Tagged Food, Founders, Fun, Photography

“Growing the Local Church” – Ephesians 4:1-16 (Dr. Tom Ascol)

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Andrew J. Nicewander| 1,072 Comments

Ephesians 4:1-16 : Tom Ascol

The notes are working a little better this time. These are my notes verbatim (forgive any misspellings or mistakes. Anything in quotes are from Tom that I was able to type out fast enough to make sure I heard right. Everything else are simply my notes and if you ask anyone who knows me, me hearing ain’t always the best. :-)

The Gospel is Good News
It is what God has done for us.
Paul always goes from Creed to Deed
The emphasis in Ephesians has application yes, but its about doctrinal truth
For a church to walk in a way worthy of its calling is to….. (didn’t get the last part)

The Community of Faith (in the Church)

Some churches are very active in being involved with the works of the kingdom, yet when doctrine is spoken of, they glaze over
-like a man with long arms and legs but a tiny head

Then some church over-emphasize Doctrine and have a problem with fleshing out that doctrine
-like a man with a huge head and little tiny arms and little tiny legs

“Both are a perversion.”

Every member is to work on unity in the church

First, a right understanding
-unity can be very easily misunderstood
-unity is NOT mere toleration
-”toleration of gross and fragrant sin is not unity, it is an unholy conspiracy”
-Neither is unity coercion
-individual Christians will be at different levels of maturity
-Uniformity is NOT to be coerced
-Uniformity also is not mere outward
What Unity IS
-essential agreement that Christians share in mind, heart, will, and purpose
-God is the Creature of Unity, who cause is to exist in the life of the local Church
-This is to be maintained through the bond of peace
-He regenerates individuals who are brought into the Church
-what Christ has done on the Cross has crushed the dividing line that we would have had between us

“One significant reason that so many churches do NOT taste this kind [of God-honoring] unity is that so many churches are filled with unregenerate church members”
-this is especially so in the SBC

There can be NO unity between amongst a group of believers and non-believers
-this is a huge reason why so many churches grasp for substitutes for Biblical Unity

How do we promote humility within ourselves?
-be honest with yourself

We should be long-suffering with one another

We are to love one another as God has loved us
-He sent and sacrificed His Son
-God’s love is not dependent upon our performance, but rather on the performance of One who has already done the job!
-this knowledge sets us free to love!

The Church ought to be a community of Love!

Christian Unity is a Fact and a Duty
-When we are saved, we are joined together in Christ with our fellow brothers and sisters
-Yet we also have a responsibility to work on our unity

Jesus prayed for our Unity
-He did this on the Eve of His Death
-Unity is a Biblical Teaching, it’s a Biblical Reality, it’s a Biblical Responsibility

The Church is considered by Paul as being One Body

Christian unity is based upon Jesus Christ
-because we have One Lord, we are to preserve the Unity that the Spirit has provided for the Church

Christ designed Diversity
“Unity is not Uniformity”
“Where there is not Diversity in the Local Church, something is seriously wrong. In fact, it may be the mark of a cult, instead of a mark of the church of Jesus Christ.”

All of God’s People are given gifts to encourage and edify the Body

A balanced Church will have as a stated goal to have every member exercise their God-given gifts
When a body is functioning as it should, in unity, with diversity, what will be the result?
The Church will experience Corporate Growth and Maturity
- Doctrinal Stability
o We are to no longer be Children

Children are naturally unstable
“Balanced Churches produce Balanced Christians”

-   Loving Devotion
o   To Truth and to People
o   We are to love Truth yes, but we are to also love People
o   One of the blights to us is that too often we are known as loving Truth way more than People
o   We are to Love Truth AND People
-   Practical Service
o   We must recognize our relationship to Christ
o   We must recognize our relationship with the Body
o   We must recognize our Responsibility as an Individual within the Body