Mission Immanuel — Explore God’s World Mission at California’s 2012 Truth & Life Conference
The theme of the 2012 Truth & Life Conference at The Master’s College is The Mission of God. The conference explores the mission of God throughout history and traces the Church’s vital role in that mission today. Participants will learn more about how the Lord has worked and continues to work redemptively, for His glory. If you are in the Southern California area, we invite you to join us January 18-20 to hear from our president, Dr. John MacArthur and noted speakers Kevin DeYoung, and Thabiti Anyabwile. Please join us via live streaming video at www.truthandlife.org.
For more than fifteen years, The Master’s College has welcomed alumni and guests from around the world to join our students, faculty, and staff on our campus for a time of strategic renewal and reflection from the Word of God at the Truth & Life Conference. This unique, three-day event brings in many of the most acclaimed preachers and teachers who hold high the exposition of the Scripture to encourage and challenge those in attendance to a deeper level of Christ-likeness.
Past conference themes have included Holiness; Proclaiming Christ: The True Gospel; and The Love of God with expositors such as Mark Dever, Sinclair Ferguson, R. C. Sproul, D.A. Carson, Irwin Lutzer, Al Mohler, and Voddie Baucham. This year’s outstanding conference program reconfirms our commitment to proclaim biblical truth, which impacts all areas of life.
For detailed conference information, please visit our website at www.truthandlife.org or you can find us through the College’s website at www.masters.edu.
Next week most people in the USA will celebrate by eating turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and squash, pumpkin pie and cylinders of cranberry goodness. We all have much to be thankful for. Which is why we are announcing a special holiday challenge that will give back to those in need, when we have plenty. From Thanksgiving Day until New Year’s Day, we are asking everyone we know to team up with the good folks over at Rice Bowls to feed children in 52 orphanages across the globe. But we are not only asking, we are going to reward the biggest giver with a big gift!
Our hope is that more than 1,000 churches and gospel ministries will partner with Rice Bowls during this holiday season. To help motivate the givers, we are giving away a FREE Church Plant Media website (valued at $1,000 one time + $50/month) to the church or gospel ministry that sponsors the most meals between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day.
If you don’t need a new website, then the FREE website will be yours to give away in January!
Will you take the Red Bowl Challenge?
Fill out the form to order 1 red bowl for your church or gospel ministry.
Fill the bowl - inspire everyone to donate between Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day.
Send the funds to Rice Bowls by Friday, January 6th and feed some kids!
The biggest giver will be given a FREE Church Plant Media website in January.
Who can win the free website?
Any gospel-loving church or ministry in the USA that provides the most meals can win. This challenge is designed for congregations and para-church ministries to pool their resources and feed children. The only stipulation that we have in order to win the free website is that participants affirm our Gospel Agreement.
How many meals will be given to orphans?
With the help of over 50 Christian orphanage partners across the globe, Rice Bowls is able to provide 4 meals for every US dollar. That means you can provide 250 meals for the price as a 16-pound Turkey. We’re not saying don’t eat the bird… but we would love your help in feeding the children too!
Why is it an awesome time to give now?
The holidays are a great time to celebrate and give thanks for all that the Lord has done for us. That’s why we have teamed up with Rice Bowls to challenge churches and ministries to take part. In fact, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, Church Plant Media has committed to give a percentage of every website sale, directly to the Red Bowl Challenge. If we all work together, we can do something amazing for orphaned children around the world in the name of Christ.
When will Church Plant Media announce the winner of the website?
We will announce the final meal total along with the website winner on this blog after the 1st week of January. If you have questions, please call Rice Bowls at 866-312-5791, and ask about the Red Bowl Challenge.
Are you leading a mission trip this summer? Wishing there was an easier way for you and your team members to raise money? A new website called Razoo.com can help your team reach its fundraising goal faster and easier.
A youth pastor named Kevin Weikel in Simsbury, Connecticut had this to say about Razoo:
Our goal was to raise $6,250 … Because of Razoo, we ended up almost doubling our goal, raising $11,657! Gone are the days of going door to door with envelopes, Razoo enabled our group to email aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends from all across the country. We wouldn’t have raised nearly as much without Razoo.
Stay organized. Their online tools help you keep track of each person’s fundraising progress.
Save time. Since Razoo takes care of all tax-deductible receipting, you can spend more time outside of the office.
Raise more. On Razoo, it’s easier to spread the word about your fundraiser via email, Facebook, or Twitter.
Have fun. Before and after the trip, your team can tell their story by posting comments, pictures, and videos.
Above all, Razoo provides excellent customer service. They love to help mission teams reach their fundraising goals. A friendly employee can be reached at (866) 437-1952 or by email at missions@razoo.com.
Finally, Razoo is offering a $100 scholarship for mission trip teams that sign up before June 30, 2011 - definitely something to take advantage of soon.
Often today’s Christian is less sexually pure than we care to admit. Therefore, Biblical intensive Counseling deals with the reality of sexual sin in the lives of Christian leaders and laypeople. With access to the Internet, we have clearly demonstrated that through “digital sin” we are as capable as ever of “every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart to only be evil continually”(Genesis 6:5). Ministries are destroyed, marriages dissolve, and lives are ruined through just one look. Clearly the corrupt heart is all about immediate satisfaction, and having a short moment of pleasure regardless of the dreadful consequences. We not only deceive others, but ourselves, when we cordon off sexuality from the rest of the Christian life and expect to go on living the way we want.
This why Dr. Harry W. Schaumburg, created Biblical Intensive Counseling, a ministry of Stone Gate Resources, www.stonegateresources.org. For nearly twenty years, thousands of individuals and couples have traveled from across America and from many foreign countries to participate in a week of intensive counseling. This unique program guides the relationally and sexually broken and sinful from false intimacy to real intimacy, first with God, then with others. Biblical Intensive Counseling is strongly biblical counseling, brief intensive counseling, and proven counseling.
While Dr. Schaumburg strongly believes that sinful sexual behavior and relational problems are the symptom of the “evil intentions of the heart,” there are other indicators to consider when looking at the relationally and sexually darkness:
Diminished femininity and masculinity
Sexual dysfunction
Impersonal sex in marriage
Lustful intent
Declining modesty
Premarital sex
The acceptance of masturbation
Hooking up
We are more than the product of our hurts and upbringing. We are both spiritually and sexually immature. Biblical Intensive Counseling is built on the concept that to be spiritually mature, you must be sexually mature; to be sexually mature, you must be spiritually mature. Therefore, real change does not come primarily through behavior management, therapeutic techniques, recovery, or self-help, but must be from the inside out as God radically changes the intentions of the heart. For more information or to speak with Dr. Schaumburg personally about your situation, call 888-575-3030, or 303-688-5680.
We are pleased to extend an invitation to join us for our twelth annual Basics Conference on May 9-11, 2011. As we meet this year, we look forward to God using our time together to encourage us in our work for the Gospel.
doing the work of an evangelist
Alistair Begg has invited John Dickson and Rico Tice to join him for the 2011 Basics Conference, which will take place May 9-11, 2011 at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. This year’s theme is “Doing the Work of an Evangelist.” Each of the speakers brings unique experiences and perspectives to this shared responsibility.
the conference (may 9-11)
Basics is for men: pastors, missionaries, evangelists, and Christian workers or those training for such roles. To the extent that we value male friendship, support and camaraderie, we do not encourage wives to attend. Our brief but meaningful time is meant to equip, inspire and strengthen us in our demanding work.
register
The conference fee is $120 before March 1, $140 after March 1 and $65 for current students. Arrival and registration begins at 12:00pm on Monday, May 9. There are breakout sessions scheduled at 3:00pm with our first conference session at 4:30pm. The conference concludes at 12:30pm on Wednesday, May 11. You may register online or download a printed form from the website that you may mail to Parkside Church.
limited spots
Our facilitiy allows us to host 1,500 men for the conference and to feed 1,000. There are 1,000 “full conference” passes available for purchase. If these sell out, we will then make an additional 500 “conference only” passes available at a reduced price. These passes will allow participants to attend the conference sessions but will not provide access to the meals.
breakout sessions
We are very excited about our partnership with Logos Bible Software this year and will be making multiple free training sessions available to attendees. Watch a 90 second video of how Logos can help with your Bible study. There will also be breakout sessions, by the conference speakers, on Monday and Tuesday. More details will be made available as we get closer to May.
hotels
We have blocked rooms at three local hotels for the conference. Please reserve directly with them but ask for the Parkside Church conference rate. more>
resources
For audio, and limited video, from past conferences, please visit the website of our ministry partner at www.truthforlife.org.
R.C. Sproul announces the launch of the new college program at Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies near Orlando, Fla.
Ligonier Academy is a natural outgrowth of Ligonier’s decades of teaching Christians to think deeply, critically, and obediently about every aspect of faith. The founding of this institution establishes a place for in-depth instruction and fellowship in central Florida.
“Ligonier Academy is a Bible college for the next generation that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies, and an Associate of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies. I am convinced that if you ground students in biblical truth at the college level, it will capture their thinking for the rest of their lives and enrich the church, and enrich the culture in which we live.”— R.C. Sproul, founder and president
Ligonier Academy is accepting applications now for its inaugural class in Fall 2011. Space is limited for our unique, demanding, uncompromising, and stimulating four-year and two-year undergraduate programs. We intend to offer young minds a deep, meaningful encounter with the author of history, the source of truth, and the sustainer of our faith.
Dr. Fowler White, Professor of Biblical Studies and Vice President for Academic Affairs, explains the academic focus: “Our degree programs are designed to give graduates a thorough knowledge of the Bible, a firm grounding in theology, and a conversance with the classic works of literature, philosophy, and music that shaped the intellectual world within which the great theologians of the church lived and wrote.”
Ligonier Academy is led by Dr. R.C. Sproul, president; Dr. R. Fowler White, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Keith Mathison, dean of academics, Rev. Michael Morales, dean of admissions and assistant professor of Old Testament, and a growing list of distinguished visiting professors including Dr. Paul Helm, Dr. Stephen Nichols, Dr. Duncan Rankin, and Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr.
Endorsements
We have thankfully begun to receive some encouraging endorsements for the new college:
“Ligonier Academy is a welcome addition to the world of Bible colleges in America. With its rigorous commitment to the historic Christian faith and Reformed worldview it will, from its inception, provide excellent educational opportunities for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of God’s Word and world.” — Dr. Tom Ascol, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Fla. and Executive Director, Founders Ministries
“There is a critical need for solid Reformed Bible colleges in America today. I pray that God will use the new Ligonier Academy to help fill this void, and trust that it will be a premier institution offering stimulating undergraduate programs in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies for many decades to come.” — Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
“Ligonier Academy promises to offer the best of the historic Reformed faith and a biblical worldview to prepare students for the challenges of today. Shaping a student’s intellectual world by study in classic literary and philosophical works is a further distinction of great wisdom. The guiding hand and faith commitments of R.C. Sproul are much in evidence and sure to bless.” — Dr. Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary
“It is with great enthusiasm I recommend Ligonier Academy. I am particularly excited by the Great Books segment of the new curriculum. For a long time I have longed for an undergraduate program that taught the Great Books from a Christian perspective.” — Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., President, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
“I am so very excited about R.C.’s desire to create this new academy. Working with college students, I cannot overstate the fact that the undergraduate college campus is the most hostile territory our young people face in this present culture. Ligonier Academy will provide the kind of solid biblical worldview foundation and environment that is much needed today. I highly encourage you to consider it.” — Dr. Del Tackett, Chief Spokesperson, Focus on the Family’s “The Truth Project”
Accepting Applications Now
The Academy is now accepting applications for its first four- and two-year undergraduate degree programs, beginning Fall 2011. Visit www.StudyAtLigonier.org to learn more. You can also download the application, catalog, and introductory brochure.
Quick Look posts are paid submissions offering only a brief overview of books or other resources. Vote in the poll below if you think any of these titles are worthy of a full-length book review!
What Did You Expect?: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage
Marriage, according to Scripture, will always involve two flawed people living with each other in a fallen world. Yet, in pastor Paul Tripp’s professional experience, the majority of couples enter marriage with unrealistic expectations, leaving them unprepared for the day-to-day realities of married life.
This unique book introduces a biblical and practical approach to those realities that is rooted in God’s faithfulness and Scripture’s teaching on sin and grace. “Spouses need to be reconciled to each other and to God on a daily basis,” Tripp declares. “Since we’re always sinners married to sinners, reconciliation isn’t just the right response in moments of failure. It must be the lifestyle of any healthy marriage.”
What Did You Expect? presents six practical commitments that give shape and momentum to such a lifestyle. These commitments will equip couples to develop a thriving, grace-based marriage in all circumstances and seasons of their relationship.
Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels
God’s compassion and pardon are utterly shocking in their lavish abundance—that’s a lesson God himself pounded into the epic life-story of one man who kept resisting in whatever way he could. Surprised by Grace retells that man’s true story—in a gripping presentation that will open readers’ eyes wider than ever to God’s relentless, purposeful, and inexhaustible grace.
The man’s name isn’t new to anyone. It’s Jonah, the famous Old Testament prophet. This fresh unfolding of his story seeks to recapture the staggering effect it had on those who first encountered it so many centuries ago—the same shock effect that’s desperately needed today among those who think they know God’s heart far better than they really do.
In a powerful journey through unforgettable events and imagery, Surprised by Grace reveals how relentlessly God pursues rebels (a category that ultimately includes everyone), though he has every right and plenty of reasons to give up on us all.
Rescuing Ambition
Many think of ambition as nothing more than the drive for personal honor or fame. As a result, ambition—the God-implanted drive to improve, produce, develop, and create—is neglected and well on its way to paralysis.
For some, dreams are numbed. For others, there are no dreams; life just happens. And for those who are dreaming, motives are often confused. One thing is certain: ambition needs help.
Dave Harvey is calling for a rescue. He wants to snatch ambition from the heap of failed motivations and put it to work for the glory of God. To understand our ambition, we must understand that we are on a quest for glory. And where we find glory determines the success of our quest.
Has your God-given ambition been starved and sedated for too long? Are you ambitious? It’s time to reach further and dream bigger for the glory of God.
Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe
Doctrine is the word Christians use to define the truth-claims revealed in Holy Scripture. Of course there is a multitude of churches, church networks, and denominations, each with their own doctrinal statement with many points of disagreement. But while Christians disagree on a number of doctrines, there are key elements that cannot be denied by anyone claiming to be a follower of Jesus.
In Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, Driscoll and Breshears teach thirteen of these key elements. This meaty yet readable overview of basic doctrine will help Christians clarify and articulate their beliefs in accordance with the Bible.
Vote for a Review
Think I should review one of these books? Go ahead and have a say in this poll:
Quick Look posts are paid submissions offering only a brief overview of books or other resources. Vote in the poll below if you think any of these titles are worthy of a full-length book review!
Marriages today are deteriorating at such a high rate not because we no longer get along, but because we have lost sight of the purpose and prosperity of the marriage covenant. Marriage Matters examines the nature of this covenant, or agreement, we enter into on our wedding day. Tony Evans looks to the Scriptures to define what a covenant is, who makes it, and what the implications are. Chaos arises when we seek to do things our way—the need to align ourselves according to biblical standards of marriage is evident. As Evans explains in the opening pages, “Most people today view marriage as a means of looking for love, happiness and fulfillment. Make no mistake about it, those things are important. Those things are critical. They are just not the most critical.”
So why should you consider picking up this title?
It’s only a booklet (which would give you more time to read additional books!)
Evans is extremely engaging and offers great, relevant illustrations
We are heading into marriage season (June) when newly married couples need to read this message
Finally this book will help you explain clearly what marriage is… “Marriage is a covenantal union designed to strengthen the capability of each partner to carry out the plan of God in their lives” and why…Marriage Matters.
What would Christ be doing if He was walking the earth today? Would He be running a foundation, pastoring a church, teaching at a seminary, working in political advocacy, or living amongst people — healing, touching, and feeding?
More importantly — why would He being doing it?
In Humanitarian Jesus, Christian Buckley and Ryan Dobson challenges Christians to think about the role of humanitarian works in the Christian life and to consider what it means and look like to be God’s ministers’ of reconciliation and to share God’s message of salvation.
A thorough review of this subject matter will inform how you should live out your walk as a disciple of Christ in today’s humanitarian-charged society.
In October 2008, over 6000 gathered for the first True Woman conference to hear God’s Word and to affirm His mission and purpose for their lives. Voices of the True Woman Movement is a collection of messages from John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Mary Kassian, Joni Eareckson Tada, Janet Parshall, Karen Lorritts, and Fern Nichols initially heard at this conference. Also included is a robust section called Going Deeper: A Guide for Personal Reflection and Small Group Discussion divided into nine sessions enabling further study and application of the biblical way of thinking about womanhood. Are you ready to discover God’s beautiful design for your life?
Ready for a spiritual “stress test?” Read Character Counts: The Power of Personal Integrity by Charles Dyer. Follow him as he gives an account of some of the best and worst that both contemporary culture and the Bible have to offer. What separates those whose lives have influence and a positive legacy from so many others? The world offers “the good life,” God gives eternal life. The world emphasizes “doing,” God emphasizes “being.” The world stresses achievement, God stresses integrity. The world pressures to conform, God seeks to transform. The world focuses on the outward signs of “success,” God focuses on the inner qualities of the heart.
How are your spiritual vital signs on the treadmill of life? Any irregularities? What’s your prognosis?
Vote for a Review
Think I should review one of these books? Go ahead and have a say in this poll:
Working for Moody Publishers is great because you get exposed to many fine thinkers, orators, and writers. You get to hear what’s on their hearts and minds and then watch them turn that passion into books. And my job is to help connect that passion in the book with its intended audience. With that in mind, let me tell you about some of our new and recent releases.
The 18th century pastor-theologian Jonathan Edwards has long been a favorite source of inspiration and passion for many Christians. However, most people don’t go beyond their high school study of “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” to get to know Edwards better. After all, Edwards wrote a lot of sermons, texts, and notes, (all in often confusing old English) and he was a deep thinker. Where would one person begin to sort through it all and come to understandable conclusions?
Experts Douglas Sweeney and Owen Strachan introduce, present, and reflect on the choicest treasures of Edwards’s writings, but do so in a way that everyone can understand in The Essential Edwards Collection. Introduced by John Piper, these five slim volumes (Jonathan Edwards on Beauty, on the Good Life, on True Christianity, on Heaven and Hell, and Jonathan Edwards, Lover of God) provide a great basic understanding of the essential writings and topics of Edwards’s life and ministry. So don’t be too intimidated to get to know Edwards better and with him, the glorious God he served.
Let me ask you a question. Where is the doctrinal pendulum in the church right now? Conservative legalists had their day, and then the emergent church had its day with a “deeds not creeds” mantra. It seems to me that the pendulum on doctrine and faith statements is swinging back again as people are into social justice “deeds,” but they are motivated because of doctrine they believe in as recorded in “creeds.” People today don’t seem satisfied with easy, noncommittal answers—they want to explore the depth of doctrine. Many now see that within creeds and catechisms we can have our faith strengthened, our knowledge broadened, and our love for Jesus deepened.
If you are one of those folks, I want to recommend The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung. In it, Kevin explains the Heidelberg Catechism, why he loves it and hopes more people come to love it. The result is a clear-headed, warm-hearted exploration of the faith, simple enough for young believers and deep enough for mature ones. So I invite you to see what “vintage faith” is. I believe you’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy this book on a 16th-century faith document. We can’t afford to forget what it teaches—We are great sinners and Christ is a greater Savior!
Sharing Christ with friends and family can be scary for many people. Now what if it’s sharing Christ with a Muslim co-worker or neighbor? Yikes!…right? It doesn’t have to be that way. Thabiti Anyabwile is a Christian pastor who converted from Islam. He has written The Gospel for Muslims- An Encouragement to Share Christ With Confidence. Written for typical Christians who want to share their faith, Thabiti emphasizes knowing the gospel and having your confidence in its claims, not in a specific evangelism technique, knowledge of Islam, or skill. It’s a handy little volume that is sure to help you effectively share Christ with any Muslim that the Lord brings you into contact with.
Finally, if you are interested in or already do missions work, please consider Reaching And Teaching by M. David Sills. Sills loves missionaries and their desire to reach people for Christ. However, his research reveals that, unfortunately, many aren’t teaching those new believers effectively enough before moving on to reach others. Where is the right balance between reaching and teaching? I’m reading it so I can be more faithful to what Christ has called and equipped me to do.
Well, I guess that’s all for now. Enjoy spring, everyone! And if you are going to the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville in April, look for me and let’s talk about these books. I’d also love to hear about what issues you’re facing in ministry and what books and resources you would like to see that could help you.
Thanks for reading! -Keith Wiederwax, Church Life and Reference Marketing Manager-Moody Publishers
Each year for the past ten years, pastors have gathered at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to share advice and guidance and to receive practical help with their preaching. At the conclusion of the 2009 conference we spoke to a few of the attendees and got their perspective on Basics.
what others are saying
“That’s why it was so appealing when the brochure said, ‘Basics,’” explains Reverend Dr. Gregory Clark, Sr., of Streetsboro, Ohio. “It was just telling me that I really have gotten away from that. Alistair [Begg, senior pastor of Parkside] takes us and says, ‘This is how you do a sermon.’ And I’m like, ‘Okay, right.’ And then we notice how far we have gotten away from that because we just don’t have anyone to engage us like that. Alistair, over the years, he’s been challenging us.”
Pastors Chang Cho and Albert Chung, two-time attendees from Toronto, Canada, remember and appreciate the lessons theylve learned from last year’s conference of “preaching the Gospel to yourself and feeding yourself to help others.” Pastor Chung adds, “Other conferences focus on growing your church and like to use the buzzword, ‘leadership,’ but this conference is cross-centered and meets our needs as pastors in order for us to grow.”
preach, preach, preach
Jack McCullough, a church elder from Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland, explains. “People are saying, ‘We don’t really think preaching is the way to go. We should change it.’ But to come here and hear the speaker say, ‘Preach the Word. Preach, preach, preach.’ That’s what we need to hear. To know that we are not alone, even though it might appear that way whenever we each go back to our respective towns and cities and churches.”
they keep coming back
“Guys are coming because of their respect for Alistair because he’s practical,” explains Reverend Dr. Clark. “He’s down-to-earth. He’ll take the time out. And especially when we were talking to him, we see he’s just like us. And you don’t know that until you sit down and talk to him.”
Mr. McCullough and his pastor, who have attended the conference six times, have found their experiences here invaluable. “It costs a little bit more to come over [from Europe] and it takes a little bit longer, but the quality of the teaching and the ministry that’s given out and they way that you’re looked after, it’s really second to none. You can’t put a value on that,” remarks Mr. McCullough.
what a difference three days make
At the start of the conference, Pastor Roy Gray from Tarboro, North Carolina, wasn’t sure what to expect. He was open to the experience and ready to go with the flow. As he was getting ready to board the shuttle to the airport, I asked Pastor Gray what he will take away from this conference. He reported back, “I realize how much more I need and want to grow as a preacher. I will be back.”
This year’s conference will be May 11-13 at Parkside Church. Join us and see what everyone is talking about. Register today while space is still available.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario, edit Discerning Reader and am a co-founder of Cruciform Press.
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