As President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network, one of the joys of our work is networking with various denominations, as well as other networks, to see gospel-centered, Jesus-loving, Bible-preaching, risk-taking men planting churches as fast as possible. Some of the church planters in our network are in independent churches, some are Presbyterians, some are Baptist, and there are a host of other such partnerships that we thank God for.
Occasionally, these various partnerships lead to varying degrees of controversy with varying groups on varying issues. Perhaps the most controversial relationship we have enjoyed has been with our Southern Baptist friends. As an example, upon recently returning home from a restful three-week vacation with my wife and five young children, I opened the latest issue of Christianity Today to see an article about my friend and fellow Acts 29 board member Darrin Patrick. He pastors The Journey Church in Saint Louis, which is home of Budweiser and one of baseball’s most feared hitters, Albert Pujols. Apparently some people in his church have started hanging out at a local pub to talk with non-Christians about Jesus, which has become a bit of a controversy among some Baptists who promote abstinence from all alcohol. Without getting negative or into too many details, the bottom line is that apparently I am a bit controversial in the eyes of some Southern Baptists, a denomination that, for the record, I love and appreciate, especially their deep devotion to Scripture, though I myself am not denominationally affiliated with them.
Nonetheless, the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., has extended to me a very kind hand of friendship for which I am truly grateful and want to publicly declare my thanks. They have invited me to join my dear friend Dr. Ed Stetzer along with others such as Daniel Akin to speak at their upcoming Convergent Conference. The details are here or below for anyone wanting to join us. For the record, I will not be drinking, cussing, or sprinkling infants and calling it baptism but do hope to honor Jesus with my message.
What is it? The emerging church is, by nature, difficult to categorize. Is it a divergence from orthodoxy or the extension of it? What is the litmus test for orthodoxy anyway? Has the traditional church lost touch with culture or has the emerging church become saturated with it? Is it a question of methodology or theology--or both?
The 2007 Convergent Conference at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to sift these questions through the sieve of Scripture and combine the best practices of traditional and emerging churches. In Colossians 1:28 Paul expresses his desire to "present everyone mature in Christ." This calls a person to be aware of culture and grounded in the Word. The Convergent Conference will explore the practice and theology of the diverse Christian community to help you minister with truth and urgency.
When is it? Sept. 21-22, 2007
Where is it? Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. Click here for directions.
Who can come? Church leaders will benefit from this conference.
Who will speak? Speakers for the conference are: Mark Driscoll, Ed Stetzer, J.D. Greear, Alvin Reid, Mark Leiderbach, Daniel Akin and John Hammett. Click here to learn more about the speakers.
How much? Cost for the two-day conference is $30. Registration deadline is Sept. 7, 2007. Refunds can only be issued through Sept. 7, 2007, if you are unable to attend the conference. Register here.
What are the accommodations? Reduced rates are available for the Convergent Conference at Hampton Inn (919) 554-0222 and Sleep Inn (919) 556-4007 in Wake Forest, N.C. Click here for more information about the area hotels.
As President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network, one of the joys of our work is networking with various denominations, as well as other networks, to see gospel-centered, Jesus-loving, Bible-preaching, risk-taking men planting churches as fast as possible. Some of the church planters in our network are in independent churches, some are Presbyterians, some are Baptist, and there are a host of other such partnerships that we thank God for.