This afternoon, I asked iPhone users on Twitter (who follow me) what were their favorite apps for 2009. There are several here that I had never heard of that I will need to check out. The ones with parenthesis received multiple responses. Here they are, organized according to functionality:
Best iPhone Apps for 2009 – Results from Twitter
Posted December 22, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Miscellanies, Twitter
Tags: iPhone, iPhone apps, Twitter poll
The Many Ways of Destroying the Church
Posted December 17, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Church Planting, Ecclesiology, Excerpts
Tags: Church Leadership, Church Planting, D.A. Carson, gospel-centered
D.A. Carson:
“The ways of destroying the church are many and colorful. Raw factionalism will do it. Rank heresy will do it. Taking your eyes off the cross and letting other, more peripheral matters dominate the agenda will do it–admittedly more slowly than frank heresy, but just as effectively over the long haul. Building the church with superficial ‘conversions’ and wonderful programs that rarely bring people into a deepening knowledge of the living God will do it. Entertaining people to death but never fostering the beauty of holiness or the centrality of self-crucifying love will build an assembling of religious people, but it will destroy the church of the living God. Gossip, prayerlessness, bitterness, sustained biblical illiteracy, self-promotion, materialism–all of these things, and many more, can destroy a church. And to do so is dangerous: ‘If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Cor. 3:17). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
- D.A. Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993), 83-84.
GCA Church Planting & Renewal Conference Discount!
Posted December 15, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Church Planting, Conferences
Tags: Church Planting, GCA, Global Church Advancement, gospel-centered, Steve Childers
For those who have been following my blog for any length of time will know that I believe that the most comprehensive and overall helpful conference training for church planters in North America is the Global Church Advancement (GCA) National Church Planting and Renewal Conference. Why is it so good? Let me give you just a couple of reasons why.
First, it is one of the most theologically rich treatments of church planting around. You will gain a deep appreciation of the centrality and primacy of theological inquiry and how tethered they are to the Word of God. You will not likely be familiar will all the names of the speakers, but the draw to GCA is not a celebrity church planters but gold-standard content delivered from those who have been living in the mines when you were still in your diapers.
Second, it is especially contextual and practical. The format of the conference is intentionally interactive and engaging, and the layout of the materials is such that upon your completion of the work, you will have a working draft of a robust church planting proposal. They challenge you to think of the kingdom of God in your particular context and how joining God on His mission will instill in you a vision for planting truly grounded in the gospel and launched with a trajectory of God’s glory in the church.
With that said, I just got word from Steve Childers, president of GCA, that they are extending their January 26-29, 2010 Early-Bird Discount until the end of this year (December 31, 2009). There are two tracks, both of which are basically a semester’s worth of material in four days. Located in sunny Orlando, you will enjoy not only the best training but also the best weather in the country. 
Seriously though, church planters – do yourself a favor and take advantage of this opportunity to be encouraged and equipped for the work ahead of you. You will be glad that you did.
Forgiveness – is it unconditional or conditional?
Posted December 12, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Forgiveness, Gospel
Tags: Forgiveness, Gospel, Reconciliation, Repentance
A couple of days ago, I pitched this question to folks on Twitter and Facebook. The disagreements on the issue of forgiveness is not one that is divided between conservatives and liberals but between conservatives and conservatives. Since forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith and that we are to forgive as God has forgiven us in Christ (Eph. 4:32), then it is important that understand why and how we should forgive one another.
The Issues
The fundamental issue is whether forgiveness is unconditional (not dependent upon the repentance of the offender) or conditional (granted only when the offender has repented and asked for it). Both camps would argue that repentance is necessary for reconciliation between the offender and offended parties, but those in the unconditional camp would argue that repentance is not required for forgiveness. In order, then, it would look something like this:
Sin/Offense –> Forgiveness –>Repentance –> Reconciliation (Unconditional)
Sin/Offense –> Repentance –> Forgiveness –> Reconciliation (Conditional)
As you can see, the key issue is the role that repentance plays in differentiating granting forgiveness and actual reconciliation between two people. Let me attempt to provide the case for each position, as best I can understand them.
Christ the Builder, Christ the Perfecter
Posted December 1, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Church Planting, Culture, Holiness, Jesus
Tags: church, Church Planting, Culture, Holiness, Jesus, Mission
The church is a people who are called out and set apart from the world who are also called and sent into the world. The goal of the Christian life is complete conformity to Christ, and such conformity is both in character and in mission. In other words, the church is to be both a holy people (set apart) and missionary people (sent) at the same time, all the time.
I come away with this when considering the promise that Jesus will build His church and the purchased goal that Jesus will perfect His church.
He’s here
Posted November 30, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Advent, Jesus
Tags: Advent, Jesus, Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible
2009 Ambition Audio (Acts 29 Bootcamp)
Posted November 28, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Church Planting, MP3's, Missional, Resources
Tags: Acts 29, Ambition, Sojourn Church
The Acts 29 Bootcamp with the theme of Ambition held at Sojourn in Louisville was, in the opinion of many, the best bootcamp they have ever had. The line-up was top notch, and the messages were excellent (including the breakout sessions). I encourage you to download these messages and give them a listen, especially if you an aspiring church planting or seeking to have greater missional DNA in your church.
The Gospel & Ambition – Dave Harvey
Discipleship & Ambition – Bob Thune
Leadership & Ambition – Darrin Patrick
The Church & Ambition – Steve Timmis
Decoding your City & Ambition – Kevin Cawley
Church Planting & Ambition – Ed Stetzer
Speaking Past Demons: Christian Preaching as Expository Exorcism – Dr. Russell Moore
Ministry for the Long Haul & Ambition – Matt Chandler
Total Church – Day 1 – Steve Timmis
Total Church – Day 2 – Steve Timmis
Worship that is Missional, Contextual, and Gospel-Centered – Tim Smith
How Theology Can Kill Your Church – Joe Thorn
Pastor as the Resident Theologian – Daniel Montgomery
Church History – Greg Allison and Reid Monaghan
Revival: When God Comes to Church – Ray Ortlund, Jr.
The Good News of Christmas at Grace
Posted November 23, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Advent, Evangelism, Jesus, Resources
Tags: Christmas, ESV, Evangelism, Good News of Christmas, Jesus
About six weeks ago, I received in the mail a bag that said “The Good News of Christmas.” In the bag was an ESV New Testament, a personalized invitation, an ESV Study Bible trial for 30 days, and a tract by Max Lucado. After discussing this with our pastoral team, we felt that this was an excellent opportunity to share the Christmas story with others by putting the Bible in the hands of unbelievers in our community, getting into the story of their lives, and hopefully sharing the story of how Jesus Christ has changed our lives.
This time of the year is a rather unique period in the calendar season where spirits are lifted and hearts are more open and receptive to receive from others, even strangers, a kind and sincere offer. It is our desire to see Jesus become more than a Christmas carol, and that through the story of the gospel, He would be treasured by those who looking to lesser things to provide them greater joy.
When Peter referred to the new birth in his first letter, he told his readers that they had been born again
“not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever’” (1 Peter 1:23-25).
The Scripture which is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15) is an imperishable seed, unlike the seeds of grass and flowers which wither and fade. The new birth comes through the living and abiding word of God which endures forever. What greater gift could we give to those in our community? Gold and silver will fade and loose their value. God’s Word is precious and enduring. The things of this world may bring make other happy for a moment, but those who have “been brought forth by the word of truth” (James 1:18) will experience happiness both now and for eternity.
We want people to see the kingdom of God, not just sing about Christ the newborn King in a sentimental way. But Jesus said this is impossible unless they are born again. The good news for us is that the Spirit is blowing wherever He wishes; we do not know where, when, or who He will draw, convict, and bring to life. But we do know that by the Spirit and through the Word, we have everything we need to reach a world of people enjoying the Christmas season while failing to enjoy Christ. It is our prayer that the Spirit, the Great Evangelist, will own our efforts to bring the Scriptures to thousands of people in our city, and through the imperishable seed of the Word, everlasting fruit will spring up as the kingdom is established in the hearts of men.
Last night, we handed out 1,200 of these bags to our members and suggested to them the following ways of getting into the community:
Individually
1. Students: give Christmas presents to everyone in your classes (yes, all of them)
2. Employees: give Christmas presents to all of your coworkers
3. On Black Friday, spend the morning passing out these gifts to those in line waiting to get into stores
4. In businesses where you normally frequent, give these bags to everyone who works there (in my case, it would be Panera Bread, Uno’s Chicago Grill, Chick-fil-a, Publix, and the local 7-11 Gas Station)
5. Take a box with you in the car so that wherever you go, you will have some with you to give to those you encounter, such as in parks, shopping centers, bank tellers, etc.
6. Provide an opportunity for those in your neighborhood whom you have not met to come over for dinner and read the Christmas story together while giving them these gifts while inviting them to our Christmas Eve service
Community Groups
1. Customize the bags with invitation to your next community group meeting
2. Host a neighborhood Christmas Party and give these gifts away
3. Go door-to-door (look out!) canvassing the neighborhoods around where your community group meets, or perhaps give them away you go Christmas caroling
4. Distribute these bags in your community, inviting those interested to an evangelistic Bible study where everyone will be reading through the gospel of John together
These are just some ideas I came up with and shared with our members yesterday evening. There are numerous other ways that you creative folk can come up with for sure. Here at Grace, we have been ramping up for next year’s mission trips, and one of the ways we are preparing our church to engage in overseas missions is to think and live like missionaries here. I have challenged our members to think of this next month as a one-month mission trip to their own backyard. When you are on mission, you think less of yourself and are tuned into how the Lord may be leading you to make a direct impact in the lives of others. It is my hope that such a structured opportunity will train more of our members to live evangelistically as their normal standard of living as we seek to create a missional culture and celebrate the work of the Spirit in sending us out to make Christ known.
If you would like to read and learn more about this outreach opportunity click here. The only caveat I would make is the evangelistic tract by Max Lucado may be something you want to leave out. Since you are the ones stuffing your bags, you can make that choice (I would prefer it not be in there). Other than that, the fact that you can get a New Testament and invitation in a nice bag for $1 is wonderful. I hope others seize this opportunity in an affordable way to give the gift of the New Testament to a world that news to know that God has spoken and has sent His Son Jesus into the world to rescue sinners and cause us to sing, “Glory to God in the highest!”
Heart Idolatry and the Gospel Seed
Posted November 19, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Gospel, Idolatry
Tags: Covetousness, Gospel, Heart Idolatry, Idolatry
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, and that power is demonstrated in all three tenses of our salvation–justification, sanctification, and glorification. The finished work of the gospel is not just our conversion but our complete transformation that takes place from one degree of glory to another until we are completed conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. We are formed by the gospel, daily transformed by the gospel, and conformed ultimately through the gospel. All of this the work of Jesus in and through us, that is, Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Paul explains the continuing work of the gospel in his introductory remarks to the Colossian church, commending them for how they have and continue to embrace the gospel. He writes,
Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth (Col. 1:5-6).
Paul likens the gospel to a seed that has been planted (which has come to you) and continues to blossom in their lives (is bearing fruit and growing). He is saying that the great work of the gospel does not end when “you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth” but rather you continue to hear it, believe it, understanding it, and treasure it throughout your life. The gospel seed is to increasingly impact our lives as it powerfully produces the fruit of Christ-likeness in our words, our thoughts, our affections, our decisions, our relationships, our mission, and the entirety of our lives.
Charles Finney, Cooperation, and the GCR
Posted November 17, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Calvinism, Responses, SBC
Tags: Calvinism, Charles Finney, Cooperation, GCR, Great Commission Resurgence
Over at Between the Times, Drs. Danny Akin and Bruce Ashford have continued their excellent series on “Seven Crucial Aspects of Our Mission” (which is broken down in true Puritan style of multiple sub-points and cases) with an article focusing on cooperation between Calvinists and non-Calvinists. As you know, this issue has been with us for a very long time, and during the more heated moments in recent SBC life, I was documenting all the events, articles, and commentary that was taking place.
Having been involved in Southern Baptist discourse for the past 6-7 years (I know, I’m young), I would argue that the relations between Calvinists and non-Calvinists is the best that it has been. The rhetoric and caricatures are rare, and the conversation between those with soteriological differences has increased, especially with the advent of Twitter. I know it’s crazy, but Twitter as a social-networking platform has interconnected Southern Baptists in a form of internet community that would otherwise not exist in real life. I’m not sure as to why or how this has happened, but perhaps “following” each other has allowed us to see that those with whom we disagree are not as bad as we think they are. They love Jesus, desire to honor Him in faithfully preaching His Word, and are genuinely seeking to make a difference for the glory of God. Having the opportunity to see glimpses into the lives of people who otherwise would be a faceless name or distant interlocutor makes you think twice before lobbing bombs at one another. We are not enemies. We are brothers in the trenches seeking to advance the kingdom against our common enemy, the devil.
Acts 29, State Conventions, and Acts 1:11 Conference
Posted November 12, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: SBC
Tags: Acts 1:11 Conference, Acts 29, GCR, SBC
This week is a rather interesting week in the life of the SBC. Three meetings took place in the SBC world which are worth noting, especially in comparing and contrasting them. They are:
1. The Acts 29 Ambition Bootcamp held at Sojourn in Louisville
2. The respective state convention meetings across the country
3. The Acts 1:11 Conference held by Jerry Vines Ministries
I’ve penned my thoughts on the differences and similarities between the three, but I’m interested in your thoughts, especially on the various points:
* Those who attend (who, why, average age)
* Conference or Meeting Purpose
* Theological Emphasis or Meeting Theme (like, dislike, agree, disagree)
* What Each Represents within the SBC World
* Their Future in the SBC (increasing, decreasing)
Given that these all converged on the same week in the SBC calendar, I thought it would be worth thinking about their implications and what they, as a snapshot, might reveal about the SBC and its future.
Shafia’s Story – What’s Yours?
Posted November 10, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Prayer
Tags: Martyrdom, Pakistan, Persecution, Prayer, Suffering
This past Sunday was dedicated as the International Day of Prayer. Take four minutes to watch Shafia’s story. Please. And then take four minutes to replay the story of your life. Does being a Christian mean anything different here than in the land of our slain brethren?
We ought to be ashamed we are no more affected with the gospel.
Posted November 9, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Excerpts, Gospel
Tags: Christian Hedonism, Gospel, Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections
One of the most sobering and soul-stirring quotes from the pen of Jonathan Edwards:
If true religion lies much in the affections, hence we may learn what great cause we have to be ashamed and confounded before God, that we are no more affected with the great things of religion.
God has given to mankind affections . . . that they might be subservient to man’s chief end, and the great business for which God has created him, that is, the business of religion. And yet how common is it among mankind, that their affections are much more exercised and engaged in other matters than in religion! In things which concern men’s worldly interest, their outward delights, their honour and reputation, and their natural relations, they have their desires eager, their appetites vehement, their love warm and affectionate, their zeal ardent; in these things their hearts are tender and sensible, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, very sensibly affected, and greatly engaged; much depressed with grief at losses, and highly raised with joy at worldly successes and prosperity.
But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world! How dull are their affections! How heavy and hard their hearts in these matters! Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small.
How they can sit and hear of the infinite height, and depth, and length, and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of His giving His infinitely dear Son, to be offered up a sacrifice for the sins of men, and of the unparalleled love of the innocent, and holy, and tender Lamb of God, manifested in His dying agonies, His bloody sweat, His loud and bitter cries, and bleeding heart, and all this for enemies, to redeem them from deserved, eternal burnings, and to bring to unspeakable and everlasting joy and glory–and yet be so cold and heavy, insensible and regardless!
Where are the exercises of our affections proper, if not here?. . . Is there anything which Christians can find in heaven or earth so worthy to be the objects of our admiration and love, their earnest and longing desires, their hope, and their rejoicing, and their fervent zeal, as those things that are held forth to us in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
[ . . .] God has so disposed things in the affair of our redemption, and in His glorious dispensations, revealed to us in the gospel, as though every thing were purposely contrived in such a manner as to have the greatest possible tendency to reach our hearts in the most tender part, and move our affections most sensibly and strongly. How great cause have we therefore to be humbled to the dust that we are no more affected!
- Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections, 51-53.
Living the Day Before
Posted November 5, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Excerpts
Tags: iMonk, Michael Spencer, The Day Before
Some excellent words by Michael Spencer:
Live each day as the day that all of the Gospel is true. Live this day and be glad in it. Live this day as the day of laying down sin and taking up the glad and good forgiveness of Jesus. Live this day determined to be useful and joyful in Jesus. Live this day in a way that, should all things change tomorrow, you will know that the Lord is your God and this is the day to be satisfied in him.
Who Will Go? A Great Commission Plea from the Prince of Preachers
Posted October 26, 2009 by Timmy BristerCategories: Excerpts, Missions
Tags: Charles Spurgeon, Great Commission Resurgence, Missions
Charles Spurgeon spoke of a message “which weighed on him” that should weight heavily on us. Hear his impassioned plea:
“I plead this day for those who cannot plead for themselves, namely, the great outlying masses of the heathen world. Our existing pulpits are tolerably well supplied, but we need men who will build on new foundations. Who will do this?
Are we, as a company of faithful men, clear in our consciences about the heathen? Millions have never heard the Name of Jesus. Hundreds of millions have seen a missionary only once in their lives, and know nothing of our King. Shall we let them perish?
Can we go to our beds and sleep, while China, India, Japan, and other nations are being damned? Are we clear of their blood? Have they no claim on us? We ought to put it on this footing–not, ‘Can I prove that I ought to go?’ but, ‘Can I prove that I ought not to go?’
When a man can honestly prove that he ought not to go, then he is clear, but not else. What answer do you give, my brethren? I put it to you man by man. I am not raising a question among you which I have not honestly put to myself. I have felt that, if some of our leading ministers would go forth, it would have a grand effect in stimulating the churches, and I have honestly asked myself whether I ought to go. After balancing the whole thing, I feel bound to keep my place, and I think the judgment of most Christians would confirm my decision; but I hope that I would readily, and willingly, and cheerfully go abroad if I did not feel that I ought to remain at home.
Brethren, put yourselves through the same process. We must have the heathen converted; God has myriads of His elect among them, we must go and search for them somehow or other. Many difficulties are now removed, all lands are open to us, and distance is almost annihilated. True, we have not the Pentecostal tongues; but languages are now readily acquired, while the art of printing is a full equivalent for the lost gift.
The dangers incident to missions ought not to keep any true man back, even if they were very great, but they are now reduced to a minimum. There are hundreds of places where the cross of Christ is unknown, to which we can go without risk. Who will go?
[ . . .] Surely there is some self-sacrifice among us yet, and some among us who are willing to be exiled for Jesus. The Mission languishes for want of men. If the men were forthcoming, the liberality of the Church has provided the supply, and yet there are not men to go. I shall never feel, brethren, that we, as a band of men, have done our duty until we see our comrades fighting for Jesus in every land in the van of the conflict. I believe that, if God moves you to go, you will be among the best of missionaries, because you will make the preaching of the gospel the great feature of your work, and that is God’s sure way of power.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon, “Forward!” in An All-Around Ministry (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2000), 55-57.
God, give us such hearts that bleed for the peoples who do not know you and tears that plead for your glory to be seen and souls satisfied forever in Jesus.
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