ChuckLawless.com is a blog about Missions, Evangelism and Biblical Church Growth

Here’s some important stuff to know:

MODULAR PHD PROGRAM

I am pleased that the Billy Graham School at Southern Seminary offers a PhD that still requires students to complete their coursework at Southern but that does not require a physical relocation to Louisville. We still encourage students to move to our campus, but qualified students now serving in ministry away from Louisville may attend PhD classes for four weeks a year (typically two weeks in Nov-Dec, and two in May-June) while majoring in Evangelism and Church Growth, Christian Missions, World Religions, or Applied Apologetics. In addition to the intensive on-campus class time, students have significant Internet interaction and discussion with the professor and other classmates throughout the year. All students—whether living on-campus or off—complete the same courses.  If you are interested in getting more information about this program, contact Dr. Tim Beougher, BGS Director of Research Doctoral Studies, at tbeougher@sbts.edu.

CONSULTANT’S CORNER

Beginning next week and continuing every two weeks thereafter, this blog will include “Consultant’s Corner”–an opportunity for you to give suggestions and input in response to local church-based ministry situations.  I will post the scenario and the questions, and everyone is invited to give your thoughts.  Later each week, I will add my thoughts as a church consultant.  All of these scenarios come from my consulting with local churches, so I am praying that this addition to the blog will be a help to local church leaders.

“CRY OF THE NATIONS” PODCAST COMING

Within the next few weeks, we will be adding the “Cry of the Nations” podcast to this website.  Our goal with this podcast is to introduce listeners to significant leaders who are addressing Great Commission issues around the world.  Already interviewed are leaders such as J.D. Greear, Grant Lovejoy, David Platt, Patrick Payton, and Al Jackson. 

PLATT’S SECRET CHURCH

If you are near Louisville, KY, Southern Seminary and the Billy Graham School will be working with Lifeway Christian Resources to simulcast David Platt’s “Secret Church” event on Friday, April 22nd, beginning at 7pm EST.  This event is a powerful, life-changing focus on Bible study and the persecuted church.  Details are at http://events.sbts.edu/secretchurch/.

With most of the churches in North America in plateau or decline, this book is a timely book written by the veteran pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. From Embers to a Flame by Harry Reeder offers guidance from a shepherd whose ministry reflects his effectiveness as a revitalizing leader.  Read More →

In my current roles, I have had the privilege of educating young SBC ministers, assisting state conventions in conferences, working alongside the North American Mission Board (NAMB) in training leaders, and consulting with the International Mission Board (IMB) in theological education.  Our denomination has much room for improvement, but I am more excited today about Southern Baptists than I have ever been - and the GCR Task Force progress report is one reason for my excitement.  Southern Baptists must still address a final report when meeting in Orlando in June 2010, but this progress report is filled with possibility and hope. 

First, the report begins with a call to repentance over our disunity, arrogance, selfishness, and caustic rhetoric.  Southern Baptists have unfortunately assumed that our size is evidence of God’s blessings on us, and seldom have we been accused of humility.  The GCRTF report is a jolting call to repent of our belief that the evangelical world somehow revolves around us. We have no right to think such about ourselves, especially when our own denomination is in decline.    

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