From Death to Life

SUMMER 2014 VOLUME 82, NUMBER 3 THE IMPERATIVE OFCHURCHREVITALIZATION TO LIFE FROM DEATH Undergraduate students who are serious about the gospel.

BOYCECOLLEGE.COM From the President R. Albert Mohler Jr. is president of Southern Seminary

flock, to guard and to tend and to love. ‘Feed my sheep’: Southern Seminary is a school for shepherds, and we are incredibly thank- A shepherd’s call to war ful for this calling. Just imagine the courage required of this generation of he church desperately needs a church — feeding them always the preachers and pastors. The good news new generation of pastors and truth of God’s Word. is that this generation of young pastors, Tpreachers who are ready to be kind and We often underestimate what it the young men on the Southern Semi- courageous shepherds of Christ’s flock. means for Christ to be our good shep- nary campus, is ready for this challenge. Do you remember the conversation herd. We tend to think of shepherding They are courageous and convictional, between Peter and our Lord after his in entirely pastoral terms, but it is a passionate and gospel-centered. resurrection from the dead? profession of spiritual warfare: shep- They are ready to go to the nations herds tend to their flock, but they must and to go into the churches. They are When they had finished breakfast, also slay predators. ready to plant churches and they are Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, To Peter, Christ gave the command ready to replant churches — and that son of John, do you love me more to “feed my sheep.” Three times the is the great story told in this edition of than these?” He said to him, “Yes, command is repeated. Three times the the Southern Seminary Magazine. Lord; you know that I love you.” He commission is extended. Three times Southern Seminary and Boyce Col- said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He Peter receives the pastoral calling. lege have never been more needed, said to him a second time, “Simon, But it is not just Peter who received and this work has never been more son of John, do you love me?” He this calling. important. We are headed into a time said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him We are headed into a time of great challenge for the the third time, “Simon, son of Christian church, but this generation of courageous young John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the Christians is determined to be faithful. third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know Every God-called minister is of great challenge for the Christian everything; you know that I love assigned this role. Ministers are called church, but this generation of coura- you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my and charged to feed the sheep, to tend geous young Christians is determined sheep.” (John 21:15-17, ESV) the flock of God and to guard the to be faithful. Our task is to get them sheep entrusted to their care. Jesus ready for deployment. These utterly simple commands Christ, the crucified, resurrected and Our mission is to get an army of are a job description for ministry. ascended Lord, is the good shepherd shepherds ready for service. Just try The church desperately needs a new of his sheep, those he purchased with explaining that to a secular world. generation of tender and tenacious his own blood. And he called and com- Thank you for all you do to help make shepherds who will serve and lead the missioned under-shepherds to feed his that mission possible.

30 Faithful steward Southern Seminary Editorial Board: Chairman: R. Albert Mohler Jr., of God’s blessings Randy Stinson, Dan Dumas, Gregory A. Wills, For Harold Mathena, business was Adam W. Greenway, Dan DeWitt, Stephen J. always a means to ministry . After Wellum, Timothy Paul Jones, George Martin, Steve Watters, James A. Smith Sr. selling his $240M business, that goal continues . By James A. Smith Sr. Southern Seminary Magazine Staff: Publisher: Steve Watters Executive Editor: James A. Smith Sr. 32 Breathing new life Managing Editor: Aaron Cline Hanbury Creative Director: Eric Jimenez into dying churches Lead Designer: Andrea Stember How the North American Mission Board is Contributing Designer: Daniel Carroll Photographer: Emil Handke working to decrease the number of dying Contributing Writers: Matt Damico; churches in America . By Kevin Ezell RuthAnne Irvin Production Coordinator: Jason Thacker 34 The revitalization of Subscription information: To receive a free subscription to Southern Rehoboth Baptist Church Seminary Magazine, change your address Troy Bush is leading the historic or cancel your subscription, you may contact Rehoboth Baptist Church to recapture SSM in one of the following ways: her identity . By Aaron Cline Hanbury MAIL: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Communications, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280 38 Restoring the church’s

ONLINE: www.sbts.edu first love The church at Ephesus provides a case- EMAIL: [email protected] study for church revitalization today .

CALL: 1-800-626-5525, ext. 4000 By Adam W. Greenway

Southern Seminary Magazine is published 40 Chitwood, KBC quarterly by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY emphasize revitalization 40280. Periodicals Postage Paid at Louisville, Ky., An alumnus and former professor leads and at additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: Kentucky Baptists to revitalize churches Free. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to around the state . By Erin Roach Southern Seminary Magazine, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280 • USPS 025-619 42 Implementing the ‘Change Matrix’ in the

Connect with Southern Seminary online local church News.sbts.edu The four-step “change matrix” can help Facebook.com/theSBTS pastors initiate and sustain change in Twitter.com/SBTS their churches . By William D. Henard

On the cover In Short News 4 Events 10 Reviews 14 Thoughts 18 This cover illustration by creative director Eric Street preaching, Muslim outreach in Detroit ...... 4 TO LIFE Jimenez depicts the contrast

THE IMPERATIVE OF CHURCH REVITALIZATION FROM DEATH FROM SBTS Press publishes e-book refuting gay Christian proposal ...... 5 between life and death, which alludes to the urgency At spring meeting, trustees update hiring policy and ‘unify’ faculties ...... 6 of church revitalization. Photo essay: the second annual 1937 Project ...... 7

SPRING 2014 VOLUME 82, NUMBER 3 NUMBER 82, 2014 VOLUME SPRING Thomas Kidd lectures on religious freedom in America’s founding ...... 10 At youth conference, McDowell plays the atheist ...... 11 Wives of Southern Baptist leaders share with SBTS women’s groups ...... 12 An international church planter on the implications of the new pope ...... 13

2 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Summer 2014. Vol. 82, No. 3.

26 Evangelicalism’s major turn Many Southern Baptist congregations face the same crisis as mainline churches across the west: replant or close . By R. Albert Mohler Jr.

People

A graphical look at the 2014 T4G conference ...... 15 Alumni & student profiles ...... 44 Review of Jesus or Nothing ...... 16 Featured profile ...... 45 Dan DeWitt explains his imaginative apologetic ...... 17 Donor profile ...... 47 Review of Introduction to Global Missions ...... 18 Missions professors talk about their new book ...... 19 Rainer: 10 dangers of denying church decline ...... 20 Reflections on church revitalization ...... 21 Infographic: church decline within the Southern Baptist Convention ...... 24

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Street preaching, They also worked with Matt Vroman, pastor of East- side Community Church. The group helped him canvas Muslim outreach focus the neighborhood in which he ministers through flyer of Detroit mission trip distribution, inviting families to the church. On their final Sunday in the city, the group drove Eastside’s church van Ten students from The Southern Baptist Theological Sem- to pick up people for the morning worship service. Cop- inary spent a week of their spring break on the streets in penger preached and the students led the service. Detroit, Mich., evangelizing, ministering to the homeless Later, the team met with the North American Mission and sharing the gospel with Muslims in the community. Board’s Send: Detroit and associational leaders to create The seminary’s Bevin Center for Missions Mobilization promotional videos for five selected neighborhoods in the sent the team to struggling Detroit neighborhoods, March city: Rivertown, Corktown, Lafayette Park, Midtown and 29 - April 6, to partner with the North American Mission Poletown. Students filmed videos of local residents in each Board’s urban ministry program, helping local church area for NAMB to use for church planting promotion in the plants and evangelism in the area. selected neighborhoods. The Detroit team is one of 11 mission trips the Bevin A primary focus of the trip was evangelism to Muslims, Center for Missions Mobilization at Southern Seminary including a visit to the House of Wisdom Mosque where and the school’s D3 youth camp will send during the spring they attended a service, met and shared the gospel with the and into late summer. With more than 70 participants Imam — the leader of the mosque — and shared a meal with total, teams will work in domestic locations, including him and his wife. Maine, Connecticut, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Utah, The team later worked with a Detroit parachurch min- and internationally in southern France, central and south istry to homeless people, distributing more than 80 sack Asia, Uganda, Nepal, India, Brazil and Kazakhstan during lunches which lead to several evangelism opportunities. the summer break. Steve Runner, a student who went to Detroit with the Mark T. Coppenger, professor of Christian philosophy, team, said the trip benefitted him as a seminary student. led the Detroit trip. He said mission trips are “transforma- “Especially beneficial on this trip was the exposure to tive for the short-termers. But, having served as a church the Muslim community in Dearborn,” he said. “We were planter in a ‘pioneer area,’ I can assure you that volunteers able to attend a Friday prayer service at a Mosque, then can be a great encouragement to the saints who live there spend some time with the Imam and his family. This ‘boots and are doing their best to be salt and light in the com- on the ground’ experience is unavailable in the academic munity,” noting the importance of mission trips for urban environment, and provides invaluable insight into the ‘real church plants. lives’ of people of other belief systems.” —RUTHANNE IRVIN At the beginning of the week, students spent Sunday ministering at Victory Fellowship Baptist Church whose More information about mission trips with the Bevin Center, pastor, Darryl Gaddy, is the moderator for the Greater ways to support students going on the trips or ways to Detroit Baptist Association. pray, visit the Bevin Center, located in Honeycutt 218 .

4 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Utah evangelicals “Not every book deserves a response, but some books seem on ‘vanguard’ for to appear at a time and context American believers, in which response is absolutely necessary,” Mohler told South- Mohler says ern Seminary News. “The kind Southern Baptists in Utah and other west- of argument that is presented by ern states live at the forefront of a cultural Matthew Vines, if not confronted, change sweeping the nation at a rapid pace, can lead many people to believe R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Feb. 25 at First Bap- that his case is persuasive and tist Church of Provo, Utah. that his treatment of the Bible is Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist legitimate. I think that it’s very Theological Seminary, spoke earlier in the important that evangelicals be day at Brigham Young University in Provo, reminded that the church has owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- not misunderstood Scripture for ter-day Saints. That evening, Russ Robinson, 2,000 years.” pastor of First Baptist Provo, invited Mohler Published by SBTS Press, God to bring a message to area evangelicals, who and the Gay Christian? is a 100- travelled from as far as Winnemucca, Nev.; Mohler, page critique of Vines, edited by Twin Falls, Idaho and St. George, Utah, five colleagues Mohler, who also contributed a hours southwest of Metro Salt Lake City. chapter. Other contributors are: Preaching from the first epistle of Peter, publish e-book James M. Hamilton Jr., professor Mohler said American culture is moving refuting new of biblical theology; Denny Burk, toward what first century Christians faced. professor of biblical studies; Owen The speed of cultural change is “beyond book, ‘God and the Strachan, assistant professor of our imagination,” he said. “But in many ways, Gay Christian’ Christian theology and church if you look at 1 Peter, this is the normal, if not history; and Heath Lambert, normative, experience for the church. The A new book’s “exceedingly danger- church, usually where it’s found, is not found ous” assertions that homosexual in power; it’s found among the powerless. It’s orientation and gay marriage are I think that it’s very not found as the dominant force; it’s found as consistent with a high view of the important that a group of holy, elect, faithful exiles.” Bible is refuted by President R. evangelicals be Addressing the Utah and western states Albert Mohler Jr. and four of his Southern Baptists in the audience, Mohler colleagues at The Southern Bap- reminded that the said, “You are living in some ways as the tist Theological Seminary in an church has not advance edge of what that looks like. You’re e-book, published April 22. misunderstood living in a place right now in which gospel God and the Gay Christian? Christianity is the minority position.” A Response to Matthew Vines Scripture for At the conclusion of his message, Mohler released the same day as the offi- 2,000 years. answered questions from the approximately cial release of Vines’ volume, God 140 people in attendance. During more than and the Gay Christian: The Bibli- three hours at the church facility, Mohler cal Case in Support of Same-Sex assistant professor of biblical also met with 41 pastors and church planters Relationships, which garnered counseling. Burk, Strachan and to dialogue further about their challenges. significant attention in the days Lambert teach primarily for —KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY leading up to its release. Boyce College, the undergradu- Vines, a 24-year-old former ate school of Southern Seminary. Harvard student, weaves his per- —JAMES A. SMITH SR. sonal biography of growing up as an evangelical Christian and Southern Seminary’s e-book — “coming out” as a homosexual to published as the first in a new his parents and now former home “CONVERSANT” series from SBTS church. In the process, Vines left Press — is available for free as a PDF download at press .sbts edu,. Harvard in order to study the and available for order on digital Bible’s claims about homosexu- platforms, including Kindle, Nook ality, which later resulted in the and iBook . publishing of his book.

SBTS.EDU 5 In Short News Master Plan Events Reviews Thoughts

Matt Schmucker of Washington, D.C., first vice chairman; John Thweatt of Pell City, Ala., second vice chairman; Phil West, Warner Robbins, Ga., sec- retary; and Stanley Craig of Prospect, Ky., chairman of the seminary’s Finan- cial Board. Chad Wilson of Jackson, Tenn., was elected chairman of the Audit Committee. Trustees approved the designa- tion of J. Scott Bridger as Bill and Connie Jenkins Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies. Bridger also will serve as director of the Jenkins Cen- ter for the Christian Understanding of Islam, which the school dedicated in February. Bridger currently is assistant professor of world Christianity and Islamic studies at Criswell College. He Trustees update education, Mohler said. “It is an eco- holds a master of arts degree in Arabic faculty hiring nomically unsustainable model and language and Islamic studies from the sooner or later virtually every aca- University of Haifa (Israel) and doctor policies, ‘unify’ demic institution is going to have to of philosophy degree from Southeast- faculty abandon tenure or face disaster.” ern Baptist Theological Seminary, Trustees also approved an adminis- with a dissertation on a Christian In order to continue to “attract and tration recommendation to “unify” the exegesis of the Qur’an. retain a first-class academic faculty,” faculties of Boyce College, Southern Also announced was the appointment said President R. Albert Mohler Jr., Seminary’s undergraduate school, with of Owen Strachan, assistant professor The Southern Baptist Theological the graduate faculties in the School of of Christian theology and church his- Seminary’s board of trustees approved Theology and Billy Graham School of tory, as director of the Carl F.H. Henry updates to faculty employment poli- Missions, Evangelism and Ministry. Institute for Cultural Engagement, a cies and unified the graduate and Mohler said with the trustee action, think tank studying the present and undergraduate faculties during its the college faculty is now “on par” with future of American evangelicalism. April 14-15 meeting. the graduate school faculties. In addition to Bridger and Strachan, Trustees also approved promotions, designations to academic chairs and sabbatical leaves for certain faculty, Trustees also approved an administration elected new officers and approved a $40.572 million budget for the 2014- recommendation to “unify” the faculties of Boyce 2015 academic year, a 5.87 percent College, Southern Seminary’s undergraduate increase from the current year. school, with the graduate faculties in the School All actions were unanimous. Under new employment policies, of Theology and Billy Graham School of Missions, all elected faculty will serve under Evangelism and Ministry. a “simple academic instructional contract” rather than a tenure-based contract. Faculty will be eligible for Philip Gunn, speaker of the Mis- the board approved several members contract terms of between one and sissippi House of Representatives, of the faculty to various academic nine years. The new policy is effec- was elected as chairman of the board chairs of study. And, effective Aug. 1, tive immediately and applies to all of trustees, replacing outgoing board 2014, trustees granted promotions in current faculty. chairman E. Todd Fisher, pastor of faculty rank to six members. In addi- Tenure is a “ticking fiscal time- Immanuel Baptist Church in Shaw- tion, trustee granted several faculty bomb” in the larger world of higher nee, Okla. Joining Gunn as officers are: sabbatical leaves. —JAMES A. SMITH SR.

6 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 1937 PROJECT

Southern Seminary’s second annual 1937 Project, April 26, sent students, their spouses and families to serve through various projects around the city of Louisville, Ky. The project is named after Louisville’s Great Flood in 1937, when the seminary served the city by offering its campus as a refuge. This year’s 1937 Project sent students to churches and ministries around the city, including Sojourn Community Church; Kids Against Hunger, Louisville; Scarlet Hope; and Jefferson Street Baptist Center and many other locations.

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Mohler to graduates: his mouth.” And, Mohler said, the price exacted for opening our mouths. “most clarifying way to understand But God has called us to open our ministers must the preacher’s task is to consider its mouths so that others can hear his open their mouths most quintessential act — the opening voice, believe, and be saved — so that of the mouth.” his church will be fed and taught, and God calls Christian ministers to “So Peter opened his mouth. He be matured. open their mouths so that others can obeyed the call. He fulfilled his call- “So, dear preacher, go ye into all the “hear his voice, believe and be saved,” ing. He did not remain silent or hide, world, and open your mouth.” R. Albert Mohler Jr. told the 2014 he opened his mouth and declared all Also at graduation, Mohler pre- graduates of The Southern Baptist that God had commanded him to say,” sented the annual Findley B. and Theological Seminary. Mohler said. Louvenia Edge Faculty Award for Two hundred fifty-six students God commanded Peter to declare Teaching Excellence to Robert L. received degrees — ranging from that everyone who believes in Jesus Plummer, who is professor of New certificates to doctorates — during Christ receives the forgiveness of sins, Testament interpretation at the semi- commencement exercises on the semi- including both Jews and Gentiles, nary. He is also the author of several nary lawn, May 16, 2014. A week earlier, according to Mohler. books, including the popular 40 Ques- May 9, 107 students received degrees “Peter had declared the story of tions about Interpreting the Bible. He from Boyce College, the undergraduate Jesus, who went about doing good is an elder at Sojourn Community school of Southern Seminary. and healing, but was put to death by Church in Louisville. He and his wife, In an address from the Acts 10 titled, hanging him on a tree,” he said. “God Chandi, have three daughters: Sarah “‘So Peter Opened His Mouth’ — The raised him up on the third day, and Beth (11), Chloe (8) and Anabell Preacher’s Calling Reduced to Five after appearing to many witnesses he (“Bella,” 6). —AARON CLINE HANBURY Powerful Words,” Mohler explained commanded the apostles to preach the that the “Bible presents an astonish- gospel to all people, to all nations.” Mohler’s entire address is available ingly simple method of preaching.” Mohler concluded by calling the in audio and video at the SBTS Mohler drew from verse 34, where graduates of Southern Seminary to fol- Resources page, www .sbts edu/. the text records that the apostle Peter low Peter’s example. resources . A complete manuscript of the address, “‘So Peter Opened His “opened his mouth,” suggesting that “The Christian ministry requires Mouth’ — The Preacher’s Calling these words encapsulate “the essen- courage, and we can see even more Reduced to Five Powerful Words” is tial act of preaching reduced to five courage required in the near future,” available at www .albertmohler com. . earth-shaking words. So Peter opened he said. “There may well be a higher

8 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WORSHIP

Joseph Crider Ernest & Mildred Hogan Professor of Church Music & Worship, Execu- tive Director Institute for Biblical Worship, Worship Pastor Highview Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

D.MIN. IN WORSHIP AT SOUTHERN SEMINARY: The doctor of ministry degree in Christian worship at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is an advanced professional degree that will prepare pastors who lead worship by equipping and strengthening their theological and philosophical foundations for the ministry of www.sbts.edu leading effective, Christ-centered corporate worship in a local church.

Earn course credit through a contextual ministerial experience.

Southern Seminary encourages students to remain involved Earn up to 18 hours of in ministry while pursuing formal theological training. Our elective course credit. MAP ministry apprenticeship program (MAP) provides a direct avenue for combining academic study with supervised service in If you’re interested in MINISTRY APPRENTICESHIP a local ministry context. In addition to the theological formation becoming a MAP affiliate or PROGRAM and contextual ministry experience that MAP provides, finding out more information, character assessment is a signature part of this program’s contribution to a student’s training at a bachelor or master level. email us at map.sbts.edu. SBTS.EDU 9 In Short News Events Reviews Thoughts

Events

Gheens Lecture When one remembers less than a on religion,” he said. “Jefferson simply century earlier Baptists languished believed we should never promote one focuses on faith in Virginia prisons for “illegal,” non- denomination, coerce religious obser- and politics Anglican preaching, this assertion is vance or persecute one’s beliefs.” less than startling, he said. This compromise provided ballast, A mutual commitment to religious Kidd recalled five ideas that con- perhaps shakier in today’s recent freedom — more than Christianity — nected early Americans in their decades, where Americans of any formed America’s founding, Thomas mutual pursuit of religious freedom: religious stripe may worship freely Kidd argued, March 25-26 during the disestablishment of state-sanc- and even flourish. the Gheens Lecture at The Southern tioned, state-funded churches; Baptist Theological Seminary. equality by creation; the political Kidd, professor of history at Baylor threat of human sinfulness (thus a de- Jefferson simply University and senior fellow at Baylor’s centralization of power); the necessity Institute for Studies of Religion, and of virtue in maintaining the Republic; believed we should prolific historian and author, includ- and a belief that God or providence never promote one ing evangelicalism and the American moved in and through nations. denomination, coerce Revolution, argued in his introductory These five tenets, shared by Jef- lecture, “God of Liberty: How Religion ferson, Leland and others, paved the religious observance or Framed America’s Founding,” that way toward an “unusually free nation persecute one’s beliefs. what grew into America from the 13 where the exercise of religion could colonies was not unequivocally Chris- flourish unfettered,” Kidd said. tian, nor was it intended to be. No unprecedented conviction is Kidd’s final two lectures were bio- “Religious odd-fellows” like skep- without its accompanying difficul- graphical. The first focused on the tic Thomas Jefferson and Baptist ties, and this was never clearer than Founding Father Patrick Henry, a preacher John Leland set aside their when Founding Father Thomas Jef- man who has perhaps fallen on the differing convictions and, through an ferson became president in 1800, wrong side of history due to a view of agreement on the role of church and Kidd said. Jefferson’s liberalism church and state that was never wide- state, served as co-belligerents for caused some New England Federal- spread and the prevailing popularity the cause of religious freedom and ists, according to Kidd, to hide their of others, like James Madison and against the error of religious tyranny, Bibles for fear of quickly-coming Jefferson — both of whom eventually Kidd argued. government coercion. served as president. —ALEX DUKE “The Baptists of New England “To their relief, of course, there was saw Thomas Jefferson to be some- no anti-Christian horror, no dramatic Audio from the Gheens Lecture is thing of a religious savior,” Kidd said. changes in regards to America’s stance available at sbts edu/resources. .

10 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Andrew Fuller Center hosts lecture about 19th-century missionary Adoniram Judson Christians are given two options in response to missions: either go, preach and establish churches or support those who go, according to Jason Duesing who lectured at Southern Seminary’s Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies mini-conference about Adoniram Judson, March 5. The lecture focused on the ministry and legacy of Judson, 19th cen- At Renown Conference, tury missionary to the Burmese people. Judson pioneered American missions, setting a precedent for the stateside-supported, agency-based McDowell plays sending that is common today. the atheist as speakers Duesing, vice president for strategic initiatives and assistant professor of historical theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological equip students Seminary, delivered the two-part lecture, “Throwing Our Hats Over the in apologetics Wall: Adoniram Judson and the Global Gospel Call.” His first lecture introduced Judson’s role in the American missions movement. Duesing Apologetics — the practice of defense of the discussed Judson’s conversion, consecration and commission. His sec- Christian faith — is important for Chris- ond lecture discussed Judson’s dedication to Baptist convictions, the tians to understand, particularly in today’s Burmese people, and, ultimately, the Bible. culture, according to the speakers at South- Duesing noted potential responses to the world’s “tsunami of lostness” ern Seminary’s annual Renown Conference, whose tide pushed Judson and his wife out to the Burmese unreached March 14-15, which featured apologist Sean more than two centuries ago. He argued the Christian may respond one McDowell. of two ways: go, preach and establish churches where Christ has not yet In his first of two plenary sessions, been named or stay, pray and support this globally necessary endeavor. McDowell, a popular author and speaker, led More than anything else, though, what compelled Judson and his an unconventional talk, posing as an atheist new wife to the ends of the earth was his belief that the gospel of Jesus as he answered questions from the audience. Christ is one of power and grace, that it contains a command whose He emphasized several things, including the completion is sure due to the promised plan of a faithful God, said way in which Christians treat those who hold Deusing. —ALEX DUKE different beliefs, the importance of a growing knowledge of Scripture and how the study of apologetics can serve as a means to love people well. “When we study apologetics, when we study Scripture, it’s not to win an argument, it’s not to prove somebody wrong. It’s for God to break our own hearts so we can speak truth in a loving, compassionate, thoughtful manner,” he said after answering questions about ethics, morality, genocide, the human soul and more, all from an atheistic view point. Later at the conference, Southern Semi- nary president R. Albert Mohler Jr. preached a plenary session from Ecclesiastes 12. The two-day event also offered students breakout sessions focused on topics about gender, the rationality of Jesus, the apologetics of C.S. Lewis, the exclusivity of Jesus and more, each led by Southern Seminary faculty members. —RUTHANNE IRVIN

Audio and video from Renown is available online at sbts edu/resources. .

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Seminary Wives Institute hosts annual Seminar Saturday From raising healthy children to gracious communication skills to discipline issues in parenting to the power of prayer, Southern Sem- inary’s recent women’s event, Seminar Saturday, encouraged women in diverse areas for more fruitful ministries. Seminar Saturday is an opportunity for women to gather for a one-day event for fellowship and to hear Wives of prominent Southern Baptist leaders from professors and encourage Southern Seminary women’s groups their wives about various ministry topics. In the last two months, the wives of promi- levue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., and The March 8 event nent leaders within the Southern Baptist Southern Baptist leader, Adrian Rogers, said hosted more than 200 Convention spoke to women’s groups at that God designs the winter seasons of life women from the semi- Southern Seminary. In the first, Susie for a purpose, at Southern Seminary’s spring nary community who Hawkins encouraged wives of ministers Woman’s Auxiliary luncheon, April 14. participate in women’s to think biblically about expectations, and The Woman’s Auxiliary encourages and events throughout later, Joyce Rogers reminded ladies that equips young women to continue their the year on campus, life’s difficult seasons have a purpose. training and preparation for ministry. specifically Seminary A woman’s negative experience may This year’s luncheon featured Rogers, Wives Institute. Led by shape their view of ministry, according to whose late husband played an instrumen- Mary Mohler, wife of Hawkins, author of From One Ministry tal role in the convention’s Conservative seminary president R. Wife to Another and wife of GuideStone Resurgence during the 1970s and 1980s, Albert Mohler Jr., SWI is Financial Services president, O.S. Hawkins, speaking to the group of 270 women from a semester-by-semester at the seminary’s women’s fellowship event, 17 Kentucky-area churches about difficult program for seminary Koinonia, March 25. seasons in life and encouraging them that wives who desire to In ministry, one can become cynical and “spring comes after a long winter.” receive further ministry disillusioned, she said, pointing to the com- Rogers said God made the literal season of training by professors mon Christian response to failure within winter for a purpose, and the same applies and faculty wives. ministry that brings stigma. Instead of to the seasons of life that are cold and dark. —RUTHANNE IRVIN becoming cynical, women should “have a Woman’s Auxiliary also awards scholar- proper view of success and failure within ships for women studying at the seminary. the will of God.” —RUTHANNE IRVIN AND HAYLEY SCHOEPPLER More information about Hawkins offered three biblical definitions Seminary Wives Institute, Seminar Saturday or of success: success is faithfulness, success More information about Koinonia and Woman’s to request audio from is believing and success is holiness. Auxiliary and audio from the Woman’s Auxiliary the event is available at Rogers, widow of long-time pastor at Bel- event is available at sbts edu/women. . sbts edu/women. .

12 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 SBTS and Boyce College host spring preview days More than 400 prospective students visited the campus of Southern Seminary and its undergraduate school, Boyce College, for spring preview days. The college hosted more than 170 prospective students to its preview day, April 25. And the seminary welcome more than 200 prospective students to campus for the one-day event, March 25. Both Boyce and Southern preview attendees spent a Friday touring campus, meeting with faculty, listening to testimonies from current students and parents of students. Each group also concluded its preview day with a reception at the home of Southern Seminary president R. Albert Mohler Jr. Planters in Catholic regions, Some Boyce College preview attendees participated in the seminary’s second annual Christians need biblical discernment 1937 Project, a service project around the city regarding the new pope of Louisville Ky. —SBTS COMMUNICATIONS International church planter Leonardo de Chirico lectured at Southern More information about events at Boyce Seminary about how the new pope affects church planting in Roman College and Southern Seminary, including Catholic contexts, Feb. 20. Christians, according to De Chirico, need to the preview days for fall 2014, is available at use “biblical discernment” when interpreting the new pope’s words. sbts edu/events. . De Chirico, who presented “Pope Francis, Developments in Con- temporary Roman Catholicism, and the Impact of Church Planting,” is vice-chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance and pastor of Breccia di Roma, a Reformed Baptist church in Rome, Italy. The Bevin Center-sponsored event focused on Pope Francis’ place within Roman Catholicism and whether or not his intended initiatives coincide with the Christian call to evangelism, church planting and discipleship. TIME Magazine chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the 2013 Person of the Year. “(To Francis), the gospel appears not to be the message of salvation from God’s judgment,” he said. “Instead, it is access to a fuller measure of a salvation that is already given to all mankind at different levels (extending) the fullness of grace to a world already under grace.” De Chirico noted the Protestant dilemma, and his assessment, if true, requires one to pursue three important postures regarding the modern Protestant-Catholic relationship: theological awareness, historical alertness and spiritual vigilance. “Our task is to exegete the language of the pope,” de Chirico said, “going beyond mere linguistic similarity and using biblical discernment without being impressed by superficial similarities.” According to De Chirico, this discernment should then lead to a biblical rendering of the gospel and, concurrently, a renewed urgency for church planting in deeply Roman Catholic contexts where many claim to be religious, even “Christian,” with no notion of personal faith in Jesus Christ. —ALEX DUKE

Audio from de Chirico’s lecture is available online at sbts edu/resources. .

SBTS.EDU 13 In Short News Events Reviews Thoughts

T4G encourages evangelism A (partly) graphical survey of the 2014 conference By Aaron Cline Hanbury, James A . Smith Sr . and RuthAnne Irvin

R. Albert Mohler Jr. argued that the claim of exclusivity.” exclusivity of the gospel is not an apol- In addition to nine general sessions “We come to celebrate ogetic burden, but rather life-giving — with Mark Dever and Ligon and declare the great good news, during a general session at Duncan, who co-founded T4G along the 2014 Together for the Gospel con- with Mohler, and featured speakers fact that we are ference, April 8-10. Thabiti Anyabwile, Matt Chandler, unashamed of the Mohler, who is president of The Kevin DeYoung, John MacArthur, Southern Baptist Theological Semi- John Piper and David Platt — the gospel and to point to nary, called his sermon “The Open Door conference also held several plenary Christ as the door of is the Only Door: The Singularity of panel discussions. Christ and the Integrity of the Gospel.” A panel about the issue of homosexu- salvation.” “We come to celebrate and declare ality included Mohler, joined by Russell — R. Albert Mohler Jr. the great fact that we are unashamed of D. Moore, president of the Southern the gospel and to point to Christ as the Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty door of salvation and to pray, with the Commission and a distinguished fac- sion, Strachan taught one of two apostle Paul, for an open door for the ulty member at Southern Seminary, academic courses offered by the proclamation of the gospel,” he said. and Sam Allberry, a pastor at St. Mary’s seminary, each giving the 166 students “But we are also here to confess Church in Maidenhead, U.K. who participated an opportunity to together that the open door is the Two Southern Seminary lead- earn transferable credit for either the only door.” ers gave breakout sessions during graduate or undergraduate level. Stra- Preaching from John 14:1-7, Mohler the three-day conference, including chan taught “The Pastor in the Public described Jesus’ statement that he is Mohler and Owen Strachan, assistant Square” course, and Adam W. Green- “the way, and the truth, and the life. professor of Christian theology and way, dean of the Billy Graham School No one comes to the Father except church history at Boyce College. of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry, through [him]” as an “unavoidable In conjunction to his breakout ses- taught “A Theology of Evangelism.”

14 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 T4G Attendance by country 29 Countries in attendance 27,500 digital devices streamed T4G online from 100 countries

6,833 324 15 United States Canada United Kingdom

Ages of 13 6 attendees Cayman Germany Islands

under 20 (3%) 50–59 (14%)

20–29 (26%) 60–69 (7%) 5 7 7 70 + (1%) Mexico Brazil Dominican 30–39 (32%) Republic 40–49 (17%)

The biennial conference for pastors and church leaders brought together more than 7,500 men and women from all 50 states and 29 different countries. More than 60 percent of those in attendance were younger than 40 years old.

“You can’t cleave the gospel and ethics; the gospel 3,157 creates ethics. Preaching attendees identified as can bring ethics to bear Southern Bap- tists out of 22+ on all of life.” SBC other denominations — Owen Strachan 42% 58% represented

SBTS.EDU 15 In Short News Events Reviews Thoughts

Excerpts from the book: Jesus or Nothing

(Crossway 2014, $10.99), Dan DeWitt _____1 “Only the gospel can lead us further up and further in . That’s why the Christian should seek to counter alternative worldviews not with an unknowable god but with Christ himself . While theism provides a compelling explanation of reality, it falls dreadfully short without the gospel . “Theism best explains reality: Jesus best explains theism ”.

At first, Dan DeWitt’s book,Jesus or tains worth and meaning — “in this 2 Nothing, seems like another stick in a story we will understand our story,” _____ bonfire of (welcome) discussion of the writes DeWitt. “Sin is a cruel master, and her off- biblical gospel over everything else, “Apart from Christ there are no spring — regret and shame — will like Tullian Tchividjian’s math equa- objective explanations, no certainty, torture us in our despair . We have tion or even Fernando Ortega’s “Give no grace, and no ultimate meaning. no hope apart from total and abso- Me Jesus.” A fitting synonym might be He alone possesses the words of lute clemency . And this is exactly “Nothing else but Jesus.” eternal life. For the first-century dis- what the gospel offers us ”. But that assumption doesn’t make it ciples, and for us today, it is simply past the book’s introduction. It turns Jesus or Nothing.” out, “Nothing” is actually a something DeWitt shapes Jesus or Nothing 3 — a story, in fact. around five “offers” of the _____ DeWitt explains in the gospel, which he calls the “Paul tells the Colossian believers to book that “believers and “anti-Nothing.” seek joy and fulfillment from above . unbelievers alike feel the He writes that the He tells them to set their eyes on draw of the gospel and gospel of Jesus Christ things above . This does not mean the allure of the Nothing.” offers “explanation for Christians devalue the world below; And ultimately, everyone our existence, clarity for they simply recognize that its intrin- must decide between the our confusion, grace for sic worth comes from outside itself . two narratives. This deci- our guilt, meaning for our “In short, we have meaning be- sion, he writes, is between mortality, and answers low because there is a God above ”. “which story line accounts for our adversaries. The for the human experience.” gospel makes sense of the DeWitt develops these world while filling life with 4 two narratives throughout Jesus or meaning and purpose.” _____ Nothing. If atheism — the story of Noth- In Jesus or Nothing, DeWitt provides “In the gospel we are offered a ing — is true, human life and existence a brief and winsome tour of the Chris- worldview that allows us to consis- loses objective and intrinsic worth. He tian worldview, and how it not only tently and logically live above the describes a world without God that, makes sense, it paints a vibrant pic- line of despair . And because, as Paul despite the lifelong attempts of athe- ture of life that Nothing simply can’t. said, ‘in fact Christ has risen from ists, skeptics and other non-believers, So maybe Fernando Ortega’s “Give the dead,’ our optimism is not in leads only to despair — functional, if Me Jesus” isn’t too far off, after all. vain . It is sufficiently grounded in not philosophical, nihilism. —REVIEW BY AARON CLINE HANBURY historical fact ”. But if the gospel — the story of Jesus — is true, then human existence con-

16 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 An imaginative apologetic: DeWitt explores the path of unbelief and of the gospel EDITOR’S NOTE: In the following, Boyce College dean Dan DeWitt dis- cusses his new book, Jesus or Nothing, with Southern Seminary Magazine managing editor Aaron Cline Hanbury.

ACH: What are the two major premises in Jesus or Nothing? DD: There are two propositions that I’m working on throughout the book. The first proposition is if atheism is true, there’s a loss of objective meaning and intrinsic worth. That’s not to say there’s not proximate meaning, but it’s just not objective; it’s not true for all people in all places at all time. And worth is not intrinsic to who we are; it’s something extrinsic. That’s one proposition I hope readers deal with, and that some of my skeptic friends have been dealing with in a really impres- sive way. And the other proposition is, if Christianity is true, it would offer those things, objective values and intrinsic worth. So I hope readers will deal with that and respond to that, and I look forward — even as painful as it might be at times to read some of the reviews — to seeing how they’re doing just that. recent, controversial book, says there ACH: How do you see believers using ACH: You write that the gospel is the must be something behind the cos- the book? “theist’s guide to reality” and the “the- mos other than just matter. Of course DD: The way I would hope Chris- ory of everything.” Can you tease out he doesn’t say what it is. The theism tians use the book would be to grow these concepts? seems to answer that. in their compassion for people who DD: Theism best describes the world But theism only takes us so far, don’t believe. That may sound like a we live in. We are personal, rational and theism can’t make sense out of weird goal for this book, but I hope beings who long for transcendence; the fact that we live in a world where that a Christian parent, for example, we place trust in our cognitive abili- children are discarded and where who maybe has a college student who ties, our minds. I think theism gives women are raped. And not just moral has walked away from the faith, can a good reason for that. But, if the ulti- evil, which is certainly horrific, but empathize a bit more and understand mate reality behind everything is just natural evil: there are tsunamis in perhaps what had led to his or her jour- matter, eternal, non-personal, non- which thousands of people die. The- ney. Of course, every story is completely rational matter, then it’s hard to say we ism has a hard time making sense of different, but I really do hope that’s have good reason to trust our minds. that apart from the gospel. So theism accomplished: that believers will read Even the atheist philosopher Thomas best describes reality, the gospel best it and be more empathetic and they’ll Nagel, at New York University, in his describes theism. be quick to listen and slow to speak.

SBTS.EDU 17 In Short News Events Reviews Thoughts

Excerpts from the book: Introduction to Global Missions

(B&H Publishing Group 2014, $34.99), Zane Pratt, M. David Sills _____1 and Jeff K. Walters “Much of what passes for evangelical missiology nods to biblical inspiration and inerrancy but then looks to secular sources for its methodology as though the Bible were inadequate . However, because the Bible is inerrant, authoritative, clear and sufficient, it not only has the final word in all legitimate evan- God commissions his people to take In section two, “Historical Founda- gelical missiology; it also has the the gospel to the peoples of the world. tions for Global Missions,” they lead formative word ”. In their new book, Introduction to readers to see God’s work through -from the chapter, “Theological Global Missions, Southern Seminary history. They review the expansion Foundations for Global Missions” missions professors M. David Sills, of Christianity from the early church Zane Pratt and Jeff K. Walters equip through the Reformation to the “Great readers with the best biblical tools Century and beyond.” 2 necessary to understand and accom- Sills, Pratt and Walters examine _____ plish God’s mission mandate. diverse cultures and the challenges of “The missionary’s challenge is to The three authors combine their global missions in the third section, avoid judging the [new] culture as missions experience and expertise to “Culture and Global Missions.” The inferior before he understands it . . . guide readers through what a call to authors give an overview of several We all have this tendency because missions looks like, the theological, major world religions, encouraging our own culture is all we know; thus missiological and his- readers to love people who it seems ‘the right way to do it ’. torical basis for global hold to different religions We can never totally erase ethno- missions, culture and for the gospel’s sake. centrism, but being aware of it can global missions and appli- The fourth section, “The help us delay critical judgment and cations for individuals and Practice of Global Mis- learn to appreciate many aspects local churches. sions,” concludes the book of other cultures ”. In the introduction of with application both local -from the chapter, “Applied the book, Sills, Pratt and churches and individual Anthropology in Missions” Walters — who write in Christians. one voice — explain the Introduction to Global missionary call on the life Missions concludes with “six 3 of each believer. From keys” to thinking globally _____ beginning to end, the Bible about the missionary call in “Given the level of syncretism with is missiological they say, noting that local churches: “a biblical understand- animism that exists in most reli- God calls each Christian to global mis- ing,” “a global vision,” “understanding gions, it is necessary to explore sions in some capacity. missiological principles,” “prayer,” “con- what people actually believe and “The way to find God’s will is to necting yourself to missions” and do, not what their formal religion become so close to him that your “connecting the church to missions” says they ought to believe . The heartbeat resonates with his own,” through short-term mission trips. purpose of this research is not dis- they write. Anyone looking for an in-depth interested scholarship or pluralistic The book has four sections: “Bibli- introduction to global missions for dialogue but effective communica- cal and Theological Foundations for both those who will go and those tion . People hear new information Global Missions,” “Historical Founda- who send and support, Introduction through the filter of their existing tions for Global Missions,” “Culture to Global Missions is a great place worldview ”. and Global Missions” and “The Prac- to begin reading. —REVIEW BY RUTH- -from the chapter, “World tice of Global Missions.” ANNE IRVIN Religions”

18 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Missions for a post-9/11 world EDITOR’S NOTE: In the following, Southern Seminary missions professors M. David Sills and Jeff Walters discuss their new book, Introduction to Global Missions, with Southern Semi- nary Magazine managing editor Aaron Cline Hanbury.

ACH: What makes Introduction to Global Missions different from other introductions? MDS: The world is changing with increasing velocity, and global dynamics such as globalization, urbanization and diaspora migration patterns are forcing constant re- evaluation of how ministry is done. Ministers in the USA and around the world must be knowledgeable about other people groups, world religions, worldviews and assimilation levels to serve their communities and churches effectively. Introduction to Global Missions is a textbook designed to teach students in colleges and seminaries. It serves as a broad compendium that addresses global missions issues for biblically faithful ministry in today’s world. With such rapid changes in our world, textbooks that were written just 15 to 20 years ago fail to prepare and opportunities in the past, we are MDS: I pray that every reader of this students and ministers for ministry in able to incorporate those lessons in book will not finish it in the place a post-9/11 world. addressing challenges facing the con- where he or she started. I pray that JW: What sets it apart is that it reflects temporary church. each reader will grow theologically, the teaching of a significant number JW: The history of the church is the missiologically and evangelistically. of our missions faculty and decades of history of missions. Good missiol- I pray that each reader will be more combined experience. It is designed to ogy and missionary practice is built committed to missions, read the help everyone from missions volun- on the Scriptures, but it is informed Bible through a missiological lens and teers to local church pastors to future by history. For example, we can see understand whether God has called and current missionaries think about throughout history examples of good him or her to international missions how to do missions well. contextualization and bad contextu- service. And I pray that reading this alization. As we think about how to book will move readers right around ACH: In your book, you devote a full sec- plant churches in various cultures, the world as God uses it to stir hearts tion to historical foundations. Why? we want to avoid those past mistakes. and mobilize his church. MDS: Good stewardship of all God gives Most of all (and this is personally JW: There’s a lot of poor teaching out us includes the wise use of the church’s the case), history inspires me. When there on various aspects of missions experiences throughout the expan- I read about Carey or Judson or Bill — leadership, calling, contextualiza- sion of Christianity. Standing on the Wallace or Jim Elliot, God uses their tion, etc. My prayer is that God will use shoulders of those who went before us stories to fuel my own calling. this book to help sending churches, allows us to see farther down the road agencies and missionaries fulfill their than they could. When we learn how ACH: How do you hope to affect or calling well and that the nations will the church dealt with heresies, threats influence readers? be impacted.

SBTS.EDU 19 In Short News Events Reviews Thoughts

Thoughts

Dangers of Denial in 1 a Declining Church The problems will only worsen. things the same . Such a posture We can’t wish away the chal- is frustrating . Such a posture, By Thom Rainer lenges in our churches . We because it is not looking forward, must be biblically obedient . causes members to fuss and fight The word “declining” can have different We must take action or the situ- over their particular preferences . connotations as it relates to churches. It can ation will worsen . 7 mean declining influence in the community, 2 or decline in effective preaching, or decline Churches in denial are usually in evangelistic impact. Most of the time, Future generations are for- disobedient. They can be disobe- though not all of the time, one of the symp- saken. Churches in denial are dient to the Great Commission toms of this decline is a numerical decline. not thinking about their children and the Great Commandment . According to our best estimates, nearly or grandchildren or any future They can refuse to obey some nine out of ten churches are either declin- generations for that matter . They of the challenging commands of ing, or they are growing less rapidly than are only concerned about their Scripture because it will get them the community in which they are located. present perceived needs . out of their comfort zones . In other words the church is not keep- 3 8 ing up with the community. Many of our congregations, plain and simple, are not Leaders will have regrets. True Many of these churches will in good health. leaders, both staff and laity, desire tolerate open and flagrant sin. A few months ago, I wrote about my obe- to make a difference in this world . Churches in denial tolerate medi- sity, and my determination to do something They desire for their churches to ocrity . The members don’t like to about it. Do you know what one of my key make a difference . These leaders “rock the boat ”. This attitude can problems was? Denial. I did not want to will regret their failures to admit lead to a tolerance of some of the admit I was obese. I did not want to look that problems exist . most flagrant sins . I spoke with in the mirror. I did not want to see photos one church leader where it was 4 or videos of me. I wanted to avoid thinking commonly known in the church about my unhealthy state through denial. Churches will miss opportuni- that three of the elders were And that denial led me to continue down ties for solutions. It is amazing involved in adulterous affairs . the path of doing nothing about it. to see what the body of Christ No one ever spoke up, and three Many church leaders and members are can do when it works biblically families were torn apart . in denial. They refuse to see the dimin- together . But the first step is 9 ishing influence of their churches for the admitting there is a need . good of the Kingdom. So they do like I did The church will lose its best 5 with my perpetual problem of bad health members. They will leave to go and obesity. They do nothing about it. There is no urgency for change. to a congregation where they can Denial is deadly. Denial means the prob- The gospel and biblical truths make a difference . They will refuse lems are not addressed. Denial means more are unchanging . But the world to accept the mediocrity that and more churches will be closing their is changing rapidly . Churches in comes with denial of problems . doors. Though the manifestations are many, denial have no urgency to change 10 look at these ten key dangers of denial. in this fast-changing culture . They quickly become irrelevant . Comfort becomes an idol. Thom Rainer is president of LifeWay Chris- Eventually churches in denial will 6 tian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. This become congregations of mem- article originally appeared at ThomRainer. Maintenance ministries engen- bers who are focused on their com. Used by permission. The founding der frustration and conflict. comforts and needs . The denial dean of Southern Seminary’s Billy Gra- Churches in denial try very few will become entrenched, and ham School of Missions, Evangelism and things new and challenging . They hopes of biblical and healthy Ministry, Rainer is author of many books, tend to be focused on keeping change will fade rapidly . including the recently released, Autopsy of a Deceased Church (B&H Publishing The need is great. The time is urgent. Denial and decline are a reality. Group, 2014). But, in God’s power, there is always hope.

20 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Reflections on revitalization struggles, have you ever considered that out Church Revitalization of the seven churches referenced in Revelation, four needed revitalization? Church revitalization demands persistence. By Timothy J . Beougher Fifth, church revitalization requires God’s blessing. It is a spiritual work! Revitalization is a supernatural work, and In my early years of ministry I was involved in several therefore needs supernatural power to make it happen. Only church planting efforts. I had embraced the axiom, “It is God brings revival and revitalization. The observation of G. easier to give birth than to raise the dead.” I still believe in Campbell Morgan applies, “We cannot cause the wind of church planting and am a passionate proponent of starting the Spirit to blow, but we can set our sails to catch the wind new churches. But if 80-85% of the churches in America when it does blow.” We need to employ the God-ordained are plateauing or declining, then we not only must focus means of prayer, preaching the Word, and sharing the gospel on church planting but also on church revitalization. I have in our revitalization efforts. much to learn about church revitalization, but I have discov- Paul’s exhortation in I Corinthians 15:58 is a good reminder ered a few truths over the years. for those involved in church revitalization: “Therefore, my First, church revitalization is kingdom work. While beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abound- church planting receives much focus today (and rightly so!), ing in the work of the Lord, because you know that your work church revitalization is no less kingdom work than church is NOT in vain in the Lord.” planting. Christ loves His church. He loves all of His church; not just the healthy parts, but also the sick parts. Christ loves Timothy J. Beougher is Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism at churches that need revitalization – and we should love what Southern Seminary. Christ loves. Second, church revitalization begins with personal revitalization. We too easily can make excuses for ourselves and our churches, can’t we? We have too little parking, a bad location, poor signage, and an archaic sound system. We convince ourselves that if only we had what other churches have, we would be at the top of the growth curve! Puritan pastor Richard Baxter, in his classic work on pastoral ministry, The Reformed Pastor, notes the God-given sequence in Acts 20:28: “take heed to yourself, AND THEN to the flock of God.” Church revitalization begins with personal revitalization. Where do we as church leaders need a fresh touch from God? Where do we need to repent and pursue God in a new way? Third, church revitalization is hard work. It involves God’s inspiration but our perspiration. The adage is true, it is easier to give birth than to raise the dead. If church revitalization were easy, everyone would be doing it! If it were easy, 80-85 percent of our churches would not be plateauing or declining. Why is it hard work? In part, it is because we face the opposition of the world, the flesh and the devil. This poem highlights the reality we face in church life:

To dwell above with saints we love, That will be grace and glory. But to live below, with folks we know, Now that’s a different story!

Revitalization is hard work, because church revitalization is really people revitalization. While outdated buildings might need a fresh coat of paint, redecorating is not revitalization. Fourth, church revitalization demands persistence. It is a process, not an event. It takes time. Events can help facilitate the process, but they can’t circumvent the process. Revitalization is a process, not a program. There is not a “one size that fits all.” Lest we think that we are alone in our

SBTS.EDU 21 Sponsored by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

SEPTEMBER 18-19, 2014 SOUTHERN SEMINARY PAUL DAVID DAVID R. ALBERT HEATH TRIPP POWLISON MOHLER JR. LAMBERT

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academysummer s 22 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 We Are Serious About The Gospel

JOHN FOLMAR Pastor of United Christian Church of Dubai

M.Div. 2003

SBTS.EDU 23 Features BY THE NUMBERS: THE NEED FOR REVITALIZATION

As years pass, people are leaving the SBC CHURCHES GROWING Southern Baptist churches at troubling 1994-1999 rates . Without a change, many of these churches will simply close their doors . Churches in decline in small-town America 33.3% and urban cities alike need pastors and members who are committed to the 2007-2012 Word of God and Jesus Christ to join in revitalizing congregations . Christians are called to take the gospel to all peoples . 27.1% Often today, that means taking the gospel to the people sitting in the pews of dying churches .

Source: Annual Church Profile, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tenn. Compiled by the SBC CHURCHES IN DECLINE Center for Missional Research, North Amer- ican Mission Board, 1994-1999 Alpharetta, Ga.

Note: Figures are based on total membership 22.7% gain or decline in previous five years. Growing implies more than 10 percent growth, while 2007-2012 declining implies more than 10 percent loss. 29.5%

24 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 SADLY, MANY — CHURCHES WILL DIE R. BY CONGREGATIONAL ALBERT SUICIDE. UNWILLING TO MOHLER BE REPLANTED, THEY JR. SIMPLY WANT A SLOWER — DECLINE. THIS IS DISOBEDIENCE TO CHRIST. SBTS.EDU 25 Features

26 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Evangelicalism’s major turn

The need for ‘generation replant’

ne stunning building in Man- tion. They found out when the large Ochester, England, is now a stone building collapsed and no one By R . Albert Mohler Jr . climbing center. In Bristol, one is now seemed to care. a circus school, with trapezes hanging The same will soon happen in the from the rafters. Others are now gro- United States of America. In down- cery stores, car dealerships, libraries town Louisville, Ky., former church and pubs. All over England, many are buildings now house doctors’ offices now Islamic mosques. and other businesses — but the prob- What do these venerable buildings lem is no longer limited to the inner have in common? Until recently, all cities. Churches are closing in the sub- formerly housed Church of England urbs as well. congregations. The secularization of According to a report from the Britain is not a new development, with Assemblies of God, 4,000 congrega- church attendance falling for decades. tions close their doors in the United But a new tipping point has been States every year, while only about reached: the Church of England now 1,000 evangelical churches are planted. has an official “Closed Churches Team” We are falling further behind. that makes decisions about what to do Add to this the fact that between with abandoned church buildings. 80 and 90 percent of all evangelical Between 1969 and 2011, the Church churches in the United States are not of England knocked down 500 growing, and a significant percentage churches and “deconsecrated” another are in outright decline. We face a major 1,000. That pace is set to increase turning point in the history of evan- dramatically, and England is not gelical Christianity in America, and alone. The Montreal Gazette recently the Southern Baptist Convention and reported that 340 church buildings are its churches are at the center of a great now seeking “new vocations,” with that and unavoidable question: “Do we have Canadian city now representing one the courage and conviction necessary of the most secularized metropolitan to replant churches?” areas in North America. Neighbors For the past 30 years, evangelicals did not even notice that one Methodist have been learning anew the impor- building no longer housed a congrega- tance of church planting. Excitement

SBTS.EDU 27 Features

and passion for church planting come time, most of these churches expe- right from the New Testament, which rienced years of effective ministry, is a manifesto for planting rightly reaching their communities and ordered churches. A generation of reaching out to the world. Somehow, young evangelical pastors have been at some time, for some reason or com- righteously infected with the vision bination of reasons, they lost that first for church planting. Their heroes are love and the ministry was endangered. church planters, their inspiration is Practical realities also play a role church planting and their missiol- in understanding this stewardship. ogy is directed toward the birth of All over New York City, for example, new churches. That must continue. young evangelical church plants are Church planting must remain at the looking for places to meet. A hostile forefront of our mission efforts. The city government threatens to evict only documentable evangelistic and all churches from meeting in public congregational growth experienced school auditoriums and many will be by evangelicals within America’s homeless. At the same time, vacant major urban areas directly traces or near-vacant church buildings dot back to newly planted churches — the horizon. and replanted churches. There is also the fact that millions The idea of church replanting may of Christians remain in these declin- be new, but this pattern is also as old ing and decaying congregations. as the New Testament. These Christians represent a wealth In Revelation 2:1-7, Christ warns of experience and an army of workers. the Ephesian church that they have In many cases, what they most lack “left [their] first love” and grown is visionary, courageous and convic- spiritually cold and ineffective in tional pastors and leaders. ministry. Jesus told the church to Then there is this obvious fact: if “repent and do the deeds [they] did at existing congregations do not thrive, first.” In other words, that congrega- there will be no one to plant, sustain, tion needed a reformation. At some support and lead church planting. We point, declining churches actually cannot have one without the other. Consider also that many of the most exciting church ministry stories of this generation have come from replanted Given the scale churches. We can look around the country and quickly find church of our need, this buildings, once empty, now filled with rising generation young families and students, senior adults and business executives. needs to be known We need to tell the stories of these churches, even as we continue to as “Generation tell the stories of newly planted Replant.” churches. Both contexts of ministry require courage. Both require vision and conviction. Neither is the answer in itself, and both should be need to be replanted. celebrated together. In one sense, this is just a mat- But one of our central tasks in the ter of stewardship. All around us present generation is to be bold in are churches falling into patterns our vision of replanting churches of decline and decay. Most of these — helping existing churches to find churches started with a gospel vision new vision, new strategic focus, new and a “first love” for Christ that pro- passion for the gospel, new hunger pelled them into existence. For some for the preaching of the Word, new

28 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 We face a major turning point in the history of evangelical Christianity in America, and the Southern Baptist Convention and its churches are at the center of a great and unavoidable question: “Do we have the courage and conviction necessary to replant churches?”

love for their communities and new slow the decline by doing slightly bet- excitement about seeing people come ter than the congregation at present. to faith in Jesus. Sadly, many of these churches will die Replanting churches requires both by congregational suicide. Unwilling courage and leadership skills. A pas- to be replanted, they simply want a sion for replanting a church must be slower decline. This is disobedience matched by skills in ministry and a to Christ. heart for helping a church to regain a Given the scale of our need, this vision. Church replanting and church rising generation needs to be known planting are both frontlines of minis- as “Generation Replant.” If it is not, it try and mission. And I am excited to might not be long before the Southern see what God will do in this age with Baptist Convention needs a “Closed a generation of young pastors ready Churches Team.” May that day never to plant and replant gospel churches come. Instead, may all of our churches, with unbridled passion. new and old and in between, follow the Of course, this will also require that promise of 1 Corinthians 3:6 — Paul churches in decline recognize the “planted, Apollos watered, but God need for radical change and reorien- gave the growth.” tation in ministry. No young pastor worthy of his call will be excited to R. Albert Mohler Jr. is president of The assume the pastorate of a church that Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. simply wants to stem the losses or

SBTS.EDU 29 Features

Harold Mathena: faithful steward of God’s blessings

BUSINESSMAN/REVIVALIST GIVES $1 MILLION FOR CHURCH REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS

By James A . Smith Sr .

arold Mathena has “dabbled” in tions also is critical. the industry and eventually develop- Hbusiness throughout his life. For “We need young pastors to recognize ing oil field drilling equipment. After him, business has always been second- the incredible, untapped opportunity 20 years, Mathena left the industry ary to his desire to serve the Lord as a of those churches and to recognize for a time in order to take a pastorate pastor and evangelist. Business was his that even as church planting is a cou- in Yukon, Okla. After eight years as a means to ministry, not the end itself. rageous calling, so also is going into a pastor — five years full-time and three Most people’s dabbling, however, church and helping it to recapture its years bivocational — he began an evan- rarely results in a successful business, vision, re-embrace its convictions and gelism ministry, having started his first sold after 22 years for $240 million. re-address its community in the world company to support it. Mathena is not most people. with an opportunity for missions and “The reason for starting the com- evangelism,” Mohler said. pany was to make a living so I could ‘Major new emphasis’ Mohler said many Southern do evangelistic work,” Mathena told Because of his business acumen and Seminary alumni are demonstrating Southern Seminary Magazine in a God’s blessings, Mathena has given leadership in church revitalization, recent interview. “I couldn’t work for Southern Seminary a $1 million gift citing as examples Mark Dever at Capi- someone else and have the freedom to to fund a “major new emphasis” in tol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, do revivals.” church revitalization, said the school’s D.C., Aaron Menikoff at Mount Vernon Four years after starting Omega president, R. Albert Mohler Jr. Baptist Church in Sandy Springs, Ga. Equipment Company, Mathena sold it “We are so thankful for this gift and Greg Gilbert at Third Avenue Bap- in 1982. By 1990, he was ready to start because it will enable us to provide both tist Church in Louisville, Ky. another business, Mathena, Inc., also instruction and special experiences Mathena’s gift will also support providing oil field equipment. for students in order to help them to the seminary’s new doctor of minis- Launching the company during a understand the great challenge and try in church revitalization degree, significant economic recession for opportunity of church revitalization in Mohler said. the oil industry in Oklahoma didn’t this generation,” he said. prevent Mathena’s business from Mohler noted that as important Starting in the oil fields thriving. “It was just a God-thing from as the recent emphasis in church Starting out after high school, the very beginning,” he said, noting the planting is for Southern Baptists, Mathena, now 79, worked in the oil “miraculous” blessing on his business revitalization of existing congrega- fields in south Louisiana, learning in spite of an otherwise down economy.

30 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 “God just gave us an unusual amount 2002-2012. While the senior Mathena John Mathena said his parents’ of wisdom and discernment about the has ministered throughout his life faithfulness in stewardship has had an work we were involved in and it was without formal theological education, impact on the entire family — and are wholly of Him,” he said. he was “impressed” with what he expe- models for others. rienced while visiting the campus and “I truly believe that God has blessed Business for evangelism seeing the “young people that had been our family because we have been good Mathena is certain that God’s blessings trained” at Southern. stewards of what he has placed under on his business were for the purpose of advancing his evangelistic ministry. “When we started the business in 1990, I wrote a prayer in a little spiral- bound notebook I had in my shirt pocket asking God to bless our business and committing my efforts to be successful with God’s help,” he said. “And God honored that prayer and allowed us to be successful in the business and it was totally of God we were able to do what we did.” In 2012, Mathena sold Mathena Inc. to a Scottish company — directing the buyer to give $21.6 million in proceeds to his home church, Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, as a testimony. The gift, one-tenth of the sale price after a portion set aside in escrow, was no different than his first tithe of $25 as a new believer in 1958, “I wanted to support the ministry our care,” he said. “Dad and mom have Mathena said. and this was an opportunity to do that,” been great examples for all followers of “Having tithed all those years that we he said. Christ to watch when it comes to stew- served the Lord, when we sold the com- “We all know there’s a great need ardship.” pany, it was no issue, it was no problem, in Southern Baptist life for revival,” His father’s virtually life-long bivo- and it was a normal and natural thing to he said concerning his gift to sup- cational ministry was demonstrated do to give a tithe of what we’d received port church revitalization efforts at in the fact that “he rarely separated” from the company,” he said. Southern. “In every church you go to, his business interests from his role as More than just tithing on the sale there’s a need for spiritual awaken- a pastor and evangelist. of his business, Mathena and his ing. … We need to do everything we According to John Mathena, his wife, Patricia, have given generously can to train and project young people father’s ministry of evangelism is joined to other Christian causes, including into society and into our culture to with a concern to “encourage the pas- Southern Seminary. make a difference.” tors to run the race with endurance.” Mathena became aware of Southern Mathena has no plans of slowing through his son, John, who served as Stewardship model down in his revival ministry, which a member of the Board of Trustees, Mathena’s giving, however, is not gen- generally has him preaching services erosity — it’s stewardship, according in churches every other week in the to Hance Dilbeck, his pastor. “He lives spring and fall. With no website or “In every church you with a keen sense of the Lord’s own- other promotion, invitations come go to, there’s a need ership of 100 percent,” Dilbeck told via word-of-mouth — keeping his Southern Seminary Magazine. calendar full. for spiritual awaken- The Mathenas are “model church “I just think it’s a remarkable thing ing. … We need to members,” Dilbeck said, noting Harold that any church would want a 79-year- do everything we teaches a Sunday school class and is old man to come and that in itself is a faithful in worship attendance. God-thing that I have an opportunity can to train and “Harold Mathena has the gift of to preach at all. And of course, as long project young peo- evangelism,” according to his pastor. as I have opportunity, I’m going to do ple into society and “He preaches the gospel with passion what I can.” and clarity. As an evangelist, he gives into our culture to a clear and compelling invitation. His James A. Smith Sr. is executive editor and make a difference.” preaching is consistently productive.” chief spokesman of Southern Seminary.

SBTS.EDU 31 Features Breathing new life into dying churches

By Kevin Ezell

t the North American Mission Board cent were plateaued and 30 percent declined. (NAMB), our mission is to help Southern But our analysis looked at membership A IN 1900, Baptists push back lostness in North Amer- THERE WAS ONE numbers. A study by the Leavell Center for ica. Our primary strategy for doing that is SOUTHERN BAPTIST Evangelism and Church Health at New Orleans called Send North America, and that strategy CHURCH FOR EVERY Baptist Theological Seminary looked at wor- includes two primary goals. First, we want to ship service attendance and found that in 2010 help increase the church birth rate by helping only 6.8 percent of SBC churches were healthy Southern Baptists start 15,000 new churches 3,800 according to that rubric. over a 10-year period. Second, we want to help These trends should concern everyone. Even PEOPLE IN decrease the church death rate. NORTH AMERICA if we are successful in starting thousands of The reason both of these endeavors are so new churches over the next few years, if less important is because Southern Baptists have than 10 percent of established SBC churches lost significant ground in the church-to-popu- are healthy and growing, we cannot hope to lation ratio during the last 100 years. In 1900, keep pace with population growth. there was one Southern Baptist church for TODAY, every 3,800 people in North America. Today, THERE IS ONE Partnering to help churches at risk SOUTHERN BAPTIST that number is one for every 6,200. In the south, CHURCH FOR EVERY It’s not an easy thing to say, but some of the that ratio is much better (one SBC church for churches that die each year need to. They every 2,722 people). But in other regions, we have long since outlived their purpose. They have much work to do: in the west the ratio is have been a hollow, ineffective presence in 1:15,885; in the northeast it’s 1:36,998 and in 6,200 their communities for years. But many more Canada it’s 1:117,925. PEOPLE IN churches have members with a heart for the These widening gaps come from two prob- NORTH AMERICA gospel who want to reach their communities lems: first, we have not started enough churches for Christ. They might have lost touch with — especially in and around cities where 83 per- their communities’ new demographics or been cent of North Americans live; second, each year derailed by poor leadership. If these churches an average of 1,000 SBC churches disappear. want to be helped, they can be. EACH YEAR Viewed through the lens of any research AN AVERAGE OF NAMB is stepping into this crisis in several you look at, Southern Baptist churches are in ways, and many of our state convention part- the midst of a health crisis and have been for ners are also doing very good work, such as: many years. We analyzed data from the Annual Church 1,000 One-day conferences Profile (ACP) and found that between 2007 SBC CHURCHES In 2011, we began partnering with Johnny and 2012, only 27 percent of reporting SBC DISAPPEAR Hunt, former president of the SBC and pas- churches experienced growth. Forty-three per- tor of Woodstock First Baptist Church near

32 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Atlanta, to conduct a one-day Church Growth success a new work would have. A leadership and Revitalization Conference for pastors. change is also required, and we ask that the Johnny has a heart for encouraging pastors, and church property be turned over to either the his church has helped churches in the Atlanta partnering church, local association, state area regain their spiritual footing and become convention or NAMB until a new work is up vibrant gospel proclamation centers again. Our and viable. state convention partners make venue arrange- Even though the legacy church plant is not ments and we take care of the rest. So far we an easy road, we are seeing more and more suc- have conducted 15 of these events with several cesses with this model. Wornall Road Baptist more scheduled during 2014. Church in Kansas City is healthy, growing and has become a vital part of its community after Individualized tools and resources pastor John Mark Clifton arrived to restart a After attending our one-day conference, many decades-old congregation that dwindled to only pastors and churches start to realize they a handful of weekly attenders. In New Orleans, need outside assistance if they are to put their a dozen church members in their 70s partnered churches back on a path to growth. That is with church planter James Welch to birth Har- where our state convention partners step in. bor Community Church from the ashes of their They are equipped to work closely with individ- dying church. First Baptist Church in Odessa, ual churches, and we are making funds available Fla., had not seen a baptism in years. They for assistance as they help their churches get on turned to Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Fla., the road to health. for help and now their baptismal waters are stirring on a regular basis once again. Legacy church planting If we don’t step in to help these dying churches, Some churches cannot be redirected toward over the next few decades we will see thousands health without some dramatic changes. When a Kevin Ezell (D.Min., of properties worth millions of dollars slip church comes to this point of realization and is Southern Seminary) through the hands of Southern Baptists. They willing to ask for help, NAMB can partner with is president of the will become cafes and office space or just aban- another church, local association or the state Bap- North American doned buildings gathering dust. My hope is that tist convention to help restart the church. We call Mission Board. More more churches and more pastors will turn their this “Legacy Church Planting” because it gives a information about focus outward once again and reach out for help dying church the opportunity to live on through a NAMB’s church revi- in returning their church to health. And I pray new work that starts in their church building. talization ministry is that those who need to make the decision to This is not an easy step for most churches available at NAMB. become a legacy church plant will see how they to take. We require that there first be a via- net/revitalization. can pass the spiritual baton and see God work bility study to determine the likelihood of powerfully through their churches again.

SBTS.EDU 33 Features

The revitalization of Rehoboth Baptist Church

SOUTHERN SEMINARY ALUMNUS TROY BUSH LEADS TOWARD RENEWAL

By Aaron Cline Hanbury

arriet and Johnny Carter came to duced a nationally viewed TV ministry Carters — along with hundreds of HRehoboth Baptist Church in 1956. and operated the largest church-based similar families — watched the church Upon joining, they found a growing, sports ministry in the country. steadily decline. energetic community with hundreds Around the turn of the century, “It had gotten pretty bad,” said Har- of worshippers each weekend. And however, things changed. Rehoboth riet Carter during a recent conversation. then-pastor Lester Buice was a decade members called two consecutive pas- “We lost a lot of people, and we were into what would become a 36-year tors who they eventually forced to down. We did owe a lot of money over the ministry at the church. resign because of the theological and years. And, you know, it really could’ve A century earlier, Rehoboth, sitting methodological directions toward been a time when we lost the church.” about 10 miles northeast of downtown which those men led. And people left. Atlanta, Ga., began in August of 1854, Even some of the cornerstone-type In the interim when a small group of people met in members, like John Brown, who joined In October of 2011, Larry Wynn, who what is now Tucker, Ga. — immediately in 1965 and served for 29 years as chair- is now the vice president for church the church baptized 21 new members, man of the deacons, considered leaving. revitalization and leadership for the including two slaves, and four more “I prayed about leaving,” he told Georgia Baptist Convention, began people joined, one of whom was a slave. Southern Seminary Magazine. “When pastoring Rehoboth as an interim. From that group, the little mission the last interim pastor started, my Along with him was Troy Bush, who church grew. By the peak of Buice’s pas- wife and I decided we were going to began a little earlier in the year help- torate in the 1970s, Rehoboth included stay, but we’d see who they called as ing out the church in administration nearly 5,000 members — up from 160 pastor. If [the church] wasn’t changed, on an interim basis. At the time, Bush members when he arrived. And then in we were leaving.” taught part time at Southern Seminary the 1980s and 1990s, Rehoboth even pro- Other long-time families like the — where he also earned a doctor of

34 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 philosophy degree in 1999 — and con- leadership, we believe God led us to see a leadership — due in large part to the sulted on church planting efforts. pathway forward that would end the ter- two turbulent pastorates in succes- Early on, Wynn encouraged some minal decline and restore Rehoboth to sion — the church drifted in a direction of the lay leaders of the church to pray being a strong, gospel-centered church that minimized pastoral leadership. So regularly and intently for Rehoboth in this community again,” said Bush. a key step in the proposal emphasized and her future. As a result, an intimate Wynn and Bush presented four restoring the pastoral leadership. group of men — among them Johnny options for the church: (1) sell the prop- The morning of April 22, 2012, Carter, Ray Pinkerton, Larry Ross and erty and relocate; (2) merge with one of Wynn, along with other leaders from John Brown — began meeting in the the partner churches meeting on the the church, presented to the church conference room at LTR Land and Rehoboth property; (3) an aggressive this “strategic plan.” And, as Wynn Development office on Main St. in revitalization for which the congrega- insisted earlier in the process, to call Tucker, a company owned by Ross. tion would seek out a pastor to lead; or Bush as senior pastor. Immediately, Around the same time, Wynn and (4) a reorganization and relaunch. they went into a special-called busi- Bush began an “honest assessment” “We shared that it was our conclu- ness meeting, where members voted of the long-term viability of Rehoboth. sion that only option number four 96 percent to adopt the plan. And from early December until the provided a viable pathway for them “There was so much thought and dis- middle of February 2012, they studied to again be a vibrant church that cussion before about trying to get back the demographics of the community, impacted the community for the king- where we were instead of looking ahead the gap between the community and dom of God,” said Bush. to where we should be going. And I think the church’s ministry engagement of That fourth proposal, included the Lord just revealed to the men of the the community. They also looked at the several elements: a partnership with church — and to the whole church for spiritual health of the body and its per- First Baptist Church Woodstock; a that matter — that Troy was the one to ceived and real possibilities of moving change in worship style; a “whatever lead us to do that. God revealed that to forward, considering financial matters, -it-takes” commitment to reach the us,” said Pinkerton, a member since 1987. its reputation in community, existing lost; and a transition from a deacon leadership and the enormous campus. board to a deacon body whose primary A sign to the community In the end, they concluded that function would be to serve the church At that time another Southern Baptist they “did not see a viable pathway” rather than manage it. Additionally, congregation, significantly larger than for Rehoboth. When they met with Rehoboth would transitioned its com- Rehoboth, met on the church campus. the prayer group, they announced that mittees to ministry teams and dissolve And the churches shared a tempo- Rehoboth was on a “terminal” trajec- its executive, personnel and finance rary sign — two four by eight sheets of tory and only had 24 to 36 months left. committees in order to establish an plywood in a V-shape. One side said “However, in the final days before advisory team in their place. “Rehoboth” and the other side dis- presenting our recommendation to the Because of a lack of trust in pastoral played the other church’s name. So,

SBTS.EDU 35 Features

depending on the direction from which When he first became pastor, the church it is in heaven,” he said. “It’s that you an area resident saw the sign, they held two worship services on Sunday and I would be making disciples of the might think a different church met mornings, one with a traditional music Lord Jesus Christ and seeing them there. And, according to Bush, many style and the other with a contemporary baptized in the name of the Father, the people in the community thought that style. The structure divided the congre- Son and the Holy Spirit and that they Rehoboth had died. gation, essentially, by age. would obey the teachings of Christ.” Both congregations worked toward When he announced that the new The future of Rehoboth Baptist a long-term partnership for shar- director of worship ministries — Chris Church, according to Bush, centers ing Rehoboth’s facility, but they Fowler — would lead an “inter-gener- on this vision, which he says was the eventually concluded that two con- ational” style of worship, Bush told the vision of the church from her begin- gregations of their respective sizes congregation that would mean all age ning. So when, on April 22, 2012, the could not effectively utilize the same groups deferring to each other. Right church members voted to reorganize campus. (Rehoboth currently hosts then, he called for the older members and relaunch, it returned the church 11 smaller churches.) to show their support for embracing a to the missionary legacy begun by its And, in October of 2012, Rehoboth multi-generational service by standing. founders — and its Founder. put up a new sign. But for many of the “To be here that morning and hear Rehoboth members, the bricks and all the adults standing and just weep- Aaron Cline Hanbury is the managing lights formed much more than a signal ing — 55-year-old adults standing and editor of Southern Seminary Magazine. that a church met there. weeping — it was unbelievable. Abso- “That sign became an ‘ebenezer’ for lutely unbelievable,” Bush said. Rehoboth again that they survived. It On that day, Jennie Ross, wife of was the George Bailey one dollar that Larry Ross, was standing. we made it, that we came through the “I’m excited about the services not hardest of storms that this church has being separate,” said she said. “Troy has ever known and God persevered them,” blended the services and so now families Bush said, referring to the character in are back together, and everyone’s going the 1946 movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” back to church at the same time. That’s what I’m most excited about.” All nations, all generations This move, in many ways, represents Now in the summer of 2014, Bush has Bush’s larger goal of reaching “nations been at Rehoboth for a couple of years. and generations” with the gospel And he insists that the church still has “a and making Rehoboth a church that lot of work to do.” But the congregation reaches every demographic, both eth- feels and sounds different — less like the nic and life-stage. Rehoboth of the past decade and more “Our vision whether we’re talking like the Rehoboth of the past century. about Louisville or Lima Peru is the Harriet Carter, one of the longest- same: it’s that his kingdom will come tenured members of Rehoboth calls that his will would be done on earth as the recent happenings at Rehoboth a “miracle.” “Ever since Troy’s got here, he just hit the road running,” she said. “We just thank the Lord, we just feel like we’re on a new journey now for the Lord.” Pinkerton agreed. And, he said, more than anything, Rehoboth now knows where she’s going. “What Troy did was lay out a vision that people bought into. And then he has the will, the determination, the skill and God has led him to lead us in a direction that we support. So we’re focused on where we’re going.” One of the primary objectives for Bush is to lead the church toward unity.

36 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Life cycle of churches

WHERE IS YOUR CHURCH? INCLINE RECLINE DECLINE

Jim Stitzinger, director of Future-oriented Present-oriented Past-oriented the Bevin Center for Vision-driven Program-driven Structure-driven Missions Mobilization at Community Focus Congregation Focus Core focus Southern Seminary, uses this chart by church Innovative Routine Complacent revitalization specialists Jay High-risk Faith Low-risk Faith No-risk Faith Letey and Ken Priddy to Faith Decision Resource Decision Indecision help churches understand their need for and process $ = Investor $ = Provider $ = Preserver of church revitalization . The Serve by Gifts Serve by Slot Serve by Default chart helps to illustrate the New Leadership Stagnant Leadership Incumbent Leadership status of a church in the life cycle in order to take steps Conversion Growth Transfer Growth No Growth toward revitalization .

SBTS.EDU 37 Features

The ministry of church revitalization is as old as the church itself . One church mentioned in the New Testament in particular seems in perpetual need of revitalizing .

long similar lines today, count- Aless churches desperately need revitalizing. And, in God’s goodness, the same prescription he gives for that ancient church is the same for today’s churches. Indeed, the early church at Ephesus is a case study in church revitalization with relevance far beyond its own time. In Acts 20, the apostle Paul in Macedonia, sends word to the church at Ephesus. He instructs the church elders to “pay careful attention” to the congregation to which the “Holy Spirit has made them overseers,” and to “care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” Paul warns, “Fierce wolves will come in among [the church], not sparing the flock.” Further, he says that these wolves will arise “from among” the church itself. Paul had poured himself into the life of this church: he spent three years there; he preached the gospel; he discipled believers; he appointed elders. And now he is warning them to be on guard for what will happen as, over time, false teachers and decep- tion come. Later, in his first letter to Timothy, Paul encourages his son in the faith

38 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 to stay with the Ephesian church in ONE OF THE do not — and what is absolutely indis- order to preserve it against the false pensable to the ministry of church teachers about which he warned them, ESSENTIAL revitalization — the fullness of the that he “may charge certain persons power and the presence of God in the not to teach any different doctrine, THINGS WE life of that church. nor to devote themselves to myths and The early church — as reported endless genealogies, which promote MUST DO AS throughout the book of Acts — prayed speculations rather than the steward- for boldness and the boldness came ship from God that is by faith.” LEADERS OF (Acts 4:23-31). This episode is a In our terms, Paul sends Timothy to powerful example to us of what hap- revitalize the church at Ephesus. THE CHURCH IN pens when a church has the right In the timeline of the New Testa- kind of focus: a God-centered focus. ment, this exhortation is coming less ORDER TO BE One of the essential things we must than 20 years after Paul’s first letter do as leaders of the church in order to the Ephesians. And, evidently, AGENTS FOR to be agents for revitalization is help false teaching had already infiltrated believers recapture a focus on the the church. REVITALIZA- person and work of God. This church So in Acts 20, Paul warns the Ephe- is God’s church, this work is God’s sians to be on guard. Then, in 1 Timothy TION IS HELP work, and apart from the overcoming, 1, he tells Timothy he sent him there to enabling grace of God we are nothing deal with false teaching. But the story BELIEVERS and we can do nothing. of the church of Ephesus does not end Church revitalization, first and fore- there. The Ephesian church appears RECAPTURE A most, is not a plan; it’s not a scheme; it’s again in the second chapter of the Book not a strategy. Primarily, revitalization of Revelation, where, this time, Jesus FOCUS ON THE is a reconnecting with the heart, mind speaks to the church. The Savior com- and purpose of the Lord of the church mends the church on several points, PERSON AND himself; it is a spiritual matter. Revi- and then speaks perhaps the most talization is remembering what God indicting words found in all the New WORK OF GOD. has done, calling for repentance where Testament: “But I have this against there is unrepentant sin. Where there you, that you have abandoned the love is a doubt in the capacity of God we you had at first.” call for faith. We proclaim the Word of The timing here is about 55 years churches in America are either pla- God. And we lay out once again what after Paul’s original admonition to the teaued or declining. And sadly, 3,000 it means to be the church. The goal of elders, and the Ephesian church needs to 4,000 churches are closing every revitalization is to help people recap- revitalization again. year. In 1920 there were 27 churches ture — as Jesus says in Revelation to Many times we become more enam- for every 10,000 Americans; by 1996, the Ephesians — their “first love.” ored with the maintenance of the there were only 11 churches for every If we have the right love, then every- ministry than the movement of seeing 10,000 Americans. The Southern thing else falls into place. Because if we people come to Christ. A lot of things Baptist churches are baptizing no truly love the Savior, we will love what that pastors are often expected to do more people today than they did in the Savior loves. We will have a burden are not all that exciting, but they have the 1950s, when the population of the to connect lost people to Christ and to to get done: someone has to clean the United States was less than half of the take people deeper into God’s Word so bathrooms, turn on the lights and turn current population. that they may be more fully conformed off lights, lock up the building. And we Many churches today once experi- to the character and commission of can focus upon all of the elements of enced a fire for God; their people were Christ. That, in essence, is the minis- church life that are financial, physical, passionate about the work of God. But, try of church revitalization. material and so forth. But many times, for one reason or another, they departed we lose a sense of mission. When our from the mission. They, like the Ephe- Adam W. Greenway is dean of the Billy focus is upon the wrong things we end sian church, lost their first love. Graham School of Missions, Evangelism up getting the wrong results. It is striking in the Book of Acts that and Ministry as well as William Walker And, for many of our churches, the the early church had almost none of Brookes Associate Professor of Evan- results are indeed wrong. Roughly the things we do. But they had some- gelism and Applied Apologetics at 80 to 85 percent of established thing that many of our churches, sadly, Southern Seminary

SBTS.EDU 39 Features

Chitwood leads Kentucky Baptists to prioritize revitalization By Erin Roach

aul Chitwood believes church in 2012, Chitwood, a two-time gradu- The team also includes a group of five Previtalization is as important as ate and former faculty member of The consultants living and serving in differ- church planting. Southern Baptist Theological Semi- ent geographical regions of the state, “Revelation 19:7 says of the Lord’s nary, created a church consulting and whose primary ministry focus is assist- church, ‘His Bride has made herself revitalization team. ing pastors with revitalization efforts. ready,’” said Chitwood, executive direc- “This, our largest team, consists of Steve Rice, the Church Consult- tor of the Kentucky Baptist Convention 21 full-time team members who work ing and Revitalization Team leader, (KBC). “I believe one of the primary with churches toward a goal of revi- said revitalization work rarely leads roles of pastors, and the denomina- talization,” Chitwood said. “On this to instant success, but several KBC tional missionaries who serve them, team we have consultants who spe- churches experienced significant levels is to ensure the local church is healthy cialize in everything from children’s of revitalization during the past year. when Christ comes to claim her.” ministry to church finances to senior One such church that benefits During a reorganization of the KBC adult ministry.” directly from Chitwood’s revitaliza-

40 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 tion emphasis is Junction City First leaders who then lead their churches ness that surrounds them.” Baptist Church in Danville. toward revival. “Having someone like Dr. Chitwood The church’s pastor, Choe Sergent, “The church revitalization team who is consistently calling our atten- said: “The team assisted me in iden- under Dr. Chitwood is exactly what tion back to the Great Commission, the tifying our areas that we were losing KBC churches need,” Sergent said. Great Commandment, proclaiming the members as well as developing effective Chitwood’s emphasis on church gospel, I think that’s the kind of thing strategies to both retain new members revitalization may explain why KBC that hopefully motivates and inspires and disciple established members.” churches — contrary to national trends pastors and others to be about the task Junction City started new mem- — have added new members the last two that matters,” Greenway said. ber classes, increased the options for years: 27,694 in 2012 and 26,567 in 2013. Chitwood, a former pastor of First discipleship and began emphasizing Adam W. Greenway, dean of the Baptist Church in Mount Washing- missions involvement. Billy Graham School of Missions, ton, Ky., earned a master of divinity “But it wasn’t the program or plan that Evangelism and Ministry at Southern degree from Southern Seminary in benefited me the most,” said Sergent, Seminary, was the first KBC president 1995 and a doctorate from the semi- who plans to attend Southern in the fall. to serve a full term with Chitwood as nary in 2001. He then served as an “It was the people that the KBC sent executive director. assistant professor of evangelism and me — people who have led a church suc- “I’ve had a chance to walk with him church growth there before becoming cessfully. People who are servant leaders through what I can only describe as KBC executive director. who in turn provide KBC pastors the transformational leadership on dis- “I am hopeful that the next genera- principles of servant leadership.” play as he has refocused, right-sized tion of gospel ministers will be trained Under Chitwood’s leadership, and revitalized our state missions and specifically for the areas of church Sergent said, the revitalization team ministry efforts, particularly honing planting and church revitalization,” is reviving, creating and equipping in on our primary purposes of help- Chitwood said. “Although church ing churches reach Kentucky and the planting has been emphasized in our world for Jesus Christ,” he said. colleges and seminaries for some time, “I think it’s showing up in the kind degree programs in church revitaliza- of staff that he has been able to attract, tion are relatively new. Paul Chitwood the kind of programming and consult- “I believe Southern Seminary’s ing work that is now coming from guys new D.Min. in church revitalization who are out on the field helping pastors will meet a tremendous need for our and churches really get a sense of what pastors and churches,” Chitwood it means to help their churches expe- said. “Another exciting development rience revitalization and renewal,” regarding the KBC and the seminary Greenway said. has been our ‘Seminary for a Day’ People find Chitwood incredibly events where we utilize professors accessible, according to Greenway, and from Southern to help train KBC pas- he makes changes “in the least disrup- tors in ministry skill areas that are tive manner possible.” essential for a leader seeking to revi- “Having someone like “Immanuel Baptist Church down talize a church.” Dr. Chitwood who is in Corbin right now is having genuine Given the statistical realities of the consistently calling our revival,” Greenway said. “They’re see- number of churches plateaued or in ing some significant turning of people decline, Chitwood believes “the invest- attention back to the to Christ. Chitwood and his team have ment we are making in the area of church Great Commission, the rushed to see what God is doing, learn revitalization is every bit as important as Great Commandment, from it and are working to see it spread the sizable investment we are making in proclaiming the gospel, to other churches. I think there’s a gen- the area of church planting.” eral atmosphere now of a heightened He said: “While the KBC will con- I think that’s the kind of expectancy for God to do something in tinue to serve our churches in a host of thing that hopefully moti- the state.” ministries, church revitalization and vates and inspires pastors Due in large part to Chitwood’s church planting are our primary focus and others to be about emphasizing an increase in giving, as we move forward.” going and witnessing, Greenway said, the task that matters,” “I think we’re seeing pastors across the Erin Roach is a correspondent for the Greenway said. state have a greater burden for the lost- Kentucky Baptist Convention.

SBTS.EDU 41 Features

INITIATING CHANGE WITHIN A LOCAL CHURCH represents Implementing one of the most difficult tasks, if not the most difficult the ‘Change task, pastors face. Whether one desires to instill an evangelism DNA into a plateaued congregation or initiate new Matrix’ in ministries or programs, change usually proves difficult. the church This four-step course of action — “The Change Matrix” — takes time to initiate and implement, with all

By William D . Henard four steps working concurrently as well as consecutively. And they must be repeated consistently. The matrix also offers flexibility for each church to experience God’s will and unique vision.

Priori arame Playe e ti P t he r h e e e s s h r T T s 1 T 2 3

First, the pastor must set biblical pri- Many church members find themselves In order to understand the effectiveness orities for the church. Various authors uncomfortable with change because of and extent of the change, communica- offer suggestions for the priorities of the fear of pragmatism. The solution is tion and evaluation must take place the church, but this matrix utilizes five to insure that all change will fall within in five specific areas: the five “players” priorities based upon Acts 2:41-47. certain biblical parameters. These five include pastoral staff, lay leadership, The five priorities include: worship parameters include: holiness (Phil 3:10; membership, calendar and budget. (Eph 5:18-20); evangelism (2 Cor 1 Pet 1:13-21), excellence (Phil 1:9-11); Communicating necessary change 5:18-19); discipleship (Eph 4:11-15); anticipation (Acts 1:4-5, 14); relevance (1 must begin with the other pastors or fellowship (1 John 1:6-7) and ministry Cor 9:19-23) and teamwork (Phil 4:1-3). elders of the church. Then those in the (1 Pet 4:7-11). Out of the priorities and biblical broader church leadership, including In order to communicate these parameters develop a church mission church committees, deacons and Sun- priorities, it is essential that the statement and purpose statement. day school teachers need to embrace pastor preach a series of sermons on At my church, we developed this change. Finally, the need for change this topic, along with teaching and mission statement: “Our mission is to must come before the congregation, repeating these ideas. He should also worship God, to globally lead people using whatever form of church polity teach and discuss these standards to faith in Christ, and to grow together is presently in place. Except for very within the leadership of the church, to be like Him.” Each Sunday, we rare occasions, even if the church fol- and should lay the foundation for the remind the church of our mission, and lows a pastor-led or elder-led model, entire process. The congregation must welcome and invite newcomers to join the members must understand the buy into these priorities or the matrix our fellowship based on this state- process that is being undertaken. will not work. Therefore, discussion ment. The words “worship,” “lead,” Calendar and budget provide impor- and discipleship are necessary. and “grow,” serve as the foundation for tant evaluative measures because the every ministry, function and program changes are not really implemented of the church. Coupled with this until they reflect what the church does mission statement is a simple purpose and what it funds. statement that communicates the attitude under which our church operates.

42 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Proc tion” with its current status or 4. Church focus. Once these new e es h s T accomplishments. Complacency priorities have been set, lead your church kills Christians, so they must go to implement the dream. Celebrate with through that valley experience them the victories that the church has 4 whereby they recognize that God has and make sure to listen to your people. much bigger plans for them. They will provide a good barometer on 3. Upward focus. A key element the success of the changes made. Finally, a particular process will to finding this “holy dissatisfac- 5. Outward focus. In order for help lead the church to understand tion” arises out of a commitment to believers to see the need for change, the need for change and how these prayer. As the church leader, lead they must recognize more fully their changes will be implemented. your church to pray. This prayer role in the Great Commission. As the focus will move the church to be church leader, help your church to get 1. Biblical focus. Be consistent in broken about personal sin and will involved personally in doing missions teaching the church about the central- help in leading the church to then and ministry outside of the walls of ity of biblical revelation, and make the re-dream the dream. the church. preaching of the Word primary. Insist that everything that the church does William D. Henard is assistant professor of evangelism and church growth at Southern follows a biblical precedent. Seminary and senior pastor of Port Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky. This 2. Inward focus. The church essay is an adaption from a chapter in Henard’s forthcoming book, Can These Bones must discover a “holy dissatisfac- Live? (B&H, June 2015).

SBTS.EDU 43 People Alumni & Student Profiles Donor Profile

TWO-TIME GRADUATE NAMED BAPTIST PRESS CHIEF CORRESPONDENT

David Roach, a two-time graduate of Southern Seminary (master of divinity, 2005; doctorate, 2009), recently became a chief national correspondent for Baptist Press . He is a regular contributor to MICAH NAVE CURTIS WOODS Baptist Press and numerous other publications . In addition to Baptist Southern Seminary (‘14) Southern Seminary Press, Roach has been an editorial Ph .D ., Billy Graham School of Ph .D . candidate, School of associate for SBC LIFE since 2012 Missions, Evangelism and Ministry Theology and was a newswriter for Southern Seminary News from 2003 to 2009 . He also has written for the Kentucky I am currently privileged to be How do you see your work at the Baptist Convention; the Southern serving at Springdale Community Kentucky Baptist Convention serv- Baptist TEXAN; Florida Baptist Wit- Church in Louisville, Ky . A little over ing the churches of Kentucky? ness; The Alabama Baptist; LifeWay a year ago, I came on staff as the A lesser known Reformed theolo- Christian Resources; Kairos Journal; director of children’s ministry, and gian named Rupert Meldenius said, and BibleMesh . that was quickly followed by the “Unity in essentials, liberty in inci- addition of the women’s ministry dentals, and in all things charity ”. director position . While this dual In a sense, this maxim drives my GRADUATE AND CURRENT position might seem overwhelming ministry passion as I minister to an STUDENT JOINS FACULTY or mismatched, it has proven to be an extremely diverse family of Kentucky OF WESTERN SEMINARY ideal pairing . Baptists . The KBC is comprised of Out of a genuine love for the chil- 2,400 autonomous churches totaling Patrick Schreiner, a graduate (mas- dren and the children’s spiritual well- 750,000 members . As a denomina- ter of divinity, 2011) and current being comes a connection to the tional servant, my sole responsibility doctor of philosophy candidate at mothers, grandmothers and so many is to remind our churches to “con- Southern Seminary, will begin teach- family members. Overall, I count it as tend for the faith that was once for ing at Western Seminary, a multi-city pure joy to serve as a member of this all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) . seminary on the west coast of the body of believers and have them as a Why is revitalization of particular United States, in the fall 2014 as loving spiritual community . interest/concern? instructor of New Testament . Southern Seminary has provided Simply put, we love the bride of According to a release from the me with an excellent foundation Christ . We, like the Puritan Rich- school, Schreiner — who is the son for ministry . As a master’s degree ard Sibbes, believe Christ will not of Southern Seminary professor student I focused on women’s lead- break the bruised reed nor quench Thomas R . Schreiner — will teach ership . I learned the importance of the smoking flax . When we come primarily at Western’s Portland, honoring the authority structures alongside a church in need of revital- Ore ., campus, in addition to the God has established . ization, we prioritize their intimacy San Jose, Calif ., and Sacramento, Family ministry coursework with Christ and one another before Calif ., and online campuses . during my master’s and doctoral attempting to develop a revitaliza- studies taught me a lot about the tion strategy . support and actuation of parents How do your studies at Southern as the primary disciple-makers. It Seminary relate to your ministry? This academic year, encouraged me to take the truth of In a world that readily distorts the the gospel with seriousness when it gospel by questioning the authority of Southern Seminary comes to our families . Scripture, I find each seminar academi- enrolled more At Southern, I also learned the cally challenging and spiritually edify- value of a purpose statement, a lit- ing . For example, Dr . Shawn Wright, in master of divinity mus test for what God is calling me a seminar on Puritanism, introduced students than to do . Through prayer and wrestling me to the works of Richard Sibbes . with God’s Word, he gave me this After reading “The Bruised Reed and any other school concentration: To train and equip Smoking Flax,” I knew I would use accredited by the girls and women . It’s not long, it Sibbes’s counsel to mentor young isn’t profound but it has proven to pastor-theologians for many years to Association of be a trustworthy guide for ministry come . The sermon strengthened my opportunities I have encountered . resolve to love the church well even Theological Schools. when she appears unlovable .

44 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 Featured

Ga., in order to expand what he learned in the city to other areas of North America as a vice president of mobilization at the North American Mission Board. “The North American Mission Board gave me a platform for the things we were doing in New York City to be expanded across the U.S. and Canada,” Coe said. “Essentially, the principles that we learned in New York have become NAMB’s Send North America strategy.”

Many years ago, I determined that I wanted to give my life in building Jesus’ church. Addi- tionally, I believe that evangelistic church planting is the best way to see the culture of a city change.

Coe, a two-time graduate from Southern Seminary — he earned a master of divinity degree in 2009 and a master of theology degree in 2011 — said his time at the school prepared Two-time alumnus leads NAMB him for his current ministry. “My two degrees from Southern in mobilizing church planting Seminary prepared me immensely During his time planting in New York Christians need to plant a variety of for what I’m doing now. It helped me City — which he calls “an incredible churches in the city if they want to focus and refine my thinking related experience” — Aaron Coe, a church see the gospel penetrate lostness. to cities and church planting,” he said. planting missionary pastor from “There cannot be a one-size-fits- Coe said the motivation behind his 2003 to 2008, learned two principles: all approach,” he said. “In New York work is the advancement of the church. First, a focus on church planting in City, there are 800 different language “Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that the city will result in growth of the groups. Of those language groups, he is going to build his church and the Christian population. Southern Baptists have churches in gates of hell will not prevail against Noting the growth in the Christian approximately 30. If we are going to it. Many years ago, I determined that population since the 2001 terrorist reach the people of North America I wanted to give my life in building attack on the World Trade Center, and the world, we have to plant Jesus’ church. Additionally, I believe he said “40 percent of the Christian churches for every demographic,” that evangelistic church planting is churches in Manhattan started said Coe, who in 2008 founded “City the best way to see the culture of a between 2001 and 2007. The wake Uprising” and, in 2009, initiated city change.” of church planting activity post 9/11 “SendNYC” in order to help plant Coe and his wife, Carmen, have increased Manhattan’s Christian churches in New York City. four children: Ezra, Danielle, Joshua population from one percent to nearly In 2011 — despite how much Coe and Harper. —AARON CLINE HANBURY four percent.” and his family enjoyed New York Some background materials pro- Second, Coe said he learned that City — Coe moved to Alpharetta, vided by Baptist Press.

SBTS.EDU 45 SUPPORT SOUTHERN

UPCOMING EVENTS IN LOUISVILLE

HERITAGE GOLF CLASSIC (August 18)

Invest in the mission of Southern Seminary by supporting the 11th Annual Heritage Golf Classic . Play, sponsor or donate an item for the silent auction and be a part of Southern’s premier fund-raising event of the year . For more information please contact Michael Craig at [email protected] .

FIRST ANNUAL SOUTHER SEMINARY AIM HIGHER TRAP AND SKEET SHOOT (November 7)

We are pleased to announce the inaugural Southern Seminary Aim Higher Trap and Skeet Shoot to be held November 7 at Jefferson Gun Club . This exciting event will provide sports- men with a fun and unique way to support the students of Southern . For more information, please contact Michael Craig at [email protected] .

46 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 People Alumni & Student Profiles Donor Profile

seminary. As they spent time on campus that evening and began to meet students when they visited local churches in Louisville, they grew in appreciation and affection for the school and its community. “We felt at home,” Mary Ellen Law- son said. “We enjoyed fellowshipping with those folks on the foundation board and just began getting more and more involved.” As they continued to meet families from the seminary community, the Lawsons began to support students individually until they learned the church they attended supported students through a fund, which they began to support. This naturally led them to join the school’s Foundation Board, where they’ve been members for almost four years. “We see what the mission of South- ern is, which is to help the local church, not just around Louisville but every- where,” Lawson said. The Lawsons support the seminary because they trust the money helps keep tuition rates low. And, because they experienced an unhealthy church early on, they see the importance of helping students finish seminary so they can minister in churches that need biblically sound pastors who lead the Troy and Mary Ellen Lawson congregations to health. “There is such a need to get people supporting students who will who are willing and ready and trained to go out and preach the gospel and to lead healthy churches revitalize our churches,” Lawson said. “By supporting them financially, they can get through their education and, n 2009, Troy Lawson and his wife, itory preaching. And they decided to when they graduate, they don’t have Mary Ellen, began looking for a join a church where preaching is the to linger, working off debt but they can Inew church in their hometown of highest priority. actually get busy doing what God has Bardstown, Ky. During the preceding When they began searching for a called them to do.” months, Troy Lawson — a real estate church, they only knew a little bit The Lawsons love the seminary broker and agent for Semonin Realty, about Southern Seminary through a and its mission. They also love the as well as an auctioneer and cattleman friend who works at Dorothy Sayers local church and recently joined a — read He Is Not Silent: Preaching in a Classical Academy in Louisville. But church plant from Louisville’s Cross- Postmodern World by R. Albert Mohler they didn’t know about the seminary’s ing Church in Bardstown. The church Jr. The book caused he and his wife mission and students. launched April 20, 2014 and they look to think more about and value what Then their friend Donald S. forward to what the Lord does next in Mohler, who is president of Southern Whitney, who is a professor at the their journey in supporting healthy Seminary in nearby in Louisville, Ky, seminary, invited the couple to an churches and the pastors who lead defines as true worship: biblical, expos- informative donors’ dinner at the them. —RUTHANNE IRVIN

SBTS.EDU 47 Craig Parker is the vice president for institutional From the Foundation advancement and executive director of the Southern Seminary Foundation .

An international investment

iklas Riedel hails from Heidelburg, In January of 2012, he began classes home to come to Boyce College, and Germany. He recently graduated in the biblical and theological studies now Southern Seminary. Nfrom Boyce College, and will begin at program at Boyce College. Niklas’ story is a wonderful reminder Southern Seminary this fall. His story In Niklas’ mind, he made the right that schools like Boyce College and of getting from Germany to Louisville choice. Southern Seminary simply aren’t very has much more to it than that, though. “Boyce has taught me what a healthy common. The school’s administration, Niklas grew up an atheist, but after church looks like,” Riedel said. “And faculty and healthy environment for a year of studying abroad in the United that has shaped me in my understand- growth make it a truly unique school, States, he returned home to Germany ing and desire of what I want to do in and an attraction for students even at in 2007 a theist. He began attending an my future ministry — whether that is the international scale. evangelical church with a friend when preaching, church leadership, baptism, How unfortunate it would have been he returned to Germany. In 2008, at church discipline or simply loving had Niklas been unable to enroll in a age 19, God used that friend and that other church members.” biblically committed school because church to convince Riedel that Jesus was real and that the gospel was true. After a year-long stint with the Ger- Schools like Boyce College and Southern Seminary man navy, Niklas discerned a call to simply aren’t very common. The school’s ministry. He enrolled in a German university to begin studying theology, but administration, faculty and healthy environment for quickly observed pervasive theological growth make it a truly unique school, and an attraction liberalism and immorality in his class- mates. He grew tired of fighting battles for students even at the international scale. in class and looked to America for a place to study. He liked what he had “Seeing that the Bible points toward of a financial obstacle. It is part of heard about the Southern Baptist Con- God’s saving work through Jesus our stewardship to ensure that other vention, and so decided to give Boyce Christ has changed so much for me and students like Niklas will not decide College a call. has given me a great desire to preach against Boyce or Southern because of The helpfulness of those he con- and teach like my professors and pas- tuition costs. tacted at Southern Seminary and tors here,” he said. You never know how far an invest- Boyce College impressed Niklas, so he In some ways, Niklas’ story is ment might reach. A prayerful visited the school in September 2011. unique. We don’t have a whole lot investment in Boyce College, Southern What he saw at Boyce, with its com- of students from Germany. In other Seminary and the students that come mitments to the Bible, stood in stark ways, though, his story is like so many here to train for ministry just might contrast to his experience in Germany. others. He sacrificed the comforts of have international implications.

48 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2014 October 28-30, 2014 Sponsored by the Center for Christian Preaching

John R . Albert H .B . MacArthur Mohler Jr. Charles Jr.

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