Darrin Patrick, pastor of The Journey in Saint Louis, posted a simple, helpful reminder of what preachers need to do to be effective preachers.

Check out "A Preacher with His Bible"

Interesting piece by Prince Raney Rivers. Read the article here.

Excerpt:

Several years ago I visited the Rev. Jason Barr, senior pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I saw firsthand what transition looks like after change has run its course.

When Barr arrived at Macedonia 15 years ago, the church used a pipe organ and primarily sang anthems. When he introduced drums to worship, a church officer removed them from the sanctuary. Barr brought the drums back in and chained them to the floor.

Under his leadership one traditional service at Macedonia became three contemporary services. A few hundred members mushroomed into 2,500. I always assumed the contemporary worship at Macedonia was simply an expression of Barr’s theology or perhaps a sign of pragmatic pastoral savvy. But recently, I heard Macedonia was planning to reintroduce traditional worship to the congregation.

I had to find out why. Read more

First, John Herrington, who heads up Hill Country Bible's church planting initiative, writes a post about pastors that he has met in various US cities who are seeing the Lord work in their churches to reach people. One of the pastors he mentions is an old friend of mine, West Brazelton, who started Grace Bible Church in Houston.Read more

The Resurgence blog has posted audio and video links to the Gospel Coalition 2009 conference messages.

This conference took place April 21-23 in Chicago, and the theme was "Entrusted With the Gospel." The speakers walked through 2 Timothy.

Speakers included Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, John Piper and Bryan Chapell, among others.

Trust me, just click and watch it.

The African connection to the black keys on the piano, "black notes," John Newton, and the tune of "Amazing Grace."

Read more

Steve Brown has a series of podcasts tied to his  book, Scandalous Freedom. Steve Brown believes and lives grace. He was one of the professors at RTS-Orlando who taught me a lot about grace and how astonishingly good the Good News is.   Hat Tip: Jollyblogger
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Brown Like Coffee is  a response to Blue Like Jazz.   I like Blue Like Jazz-- I thought Miller did a good job re-presenting sin and grace, and I loved the confession booth idea-- but no book is flawless. The peeps behind Brown Like Coffee are having some fun while pressing some serious points. Their website, though, is lame.
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Shannon Wright is a friend from Houston who has impressed me with her sharp intelligence and sharper tongue. She would describe herself as liberal with regard to politics, but she believes,  to the best of my knowledge, in Jesus in the way of  historic Christian orthodoxy.

Shannon is earning her MDiv at Harvard Divinity School, and she takes on Unitarian Universalists at HDS in this post.
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John S. Hayes, a 42 year-old coach of middle schoolers in Marietta, GA, was arrested for allegedly taking students on an anti-Christmas vandalism spree. According to another report, the coach "loaded several middle schoolers into the back of his pickup truck, and drove them around after dark and damaged Christmas displays. Christmas displays were smashed and slashed. The group even positioned several homeowners’ displays in X-rated configurations, including placing reindeer in sexual positions, WGCL reports."

A 42 year-old guy at night with middle school kids, defacing Christmas displays.  That's how he rolls.  John Hayes' parents must be so proud.
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David Wayne, the Jollyblogger, depicts some  classic  scenes dealing with a son who wants lacrosse gloves. 

Scene I

Time - a couple of months ago.

Place - a home somewhere in MarylandRead more

Interesting brief bits of interview with some megachurch pastors, titled, Confessions of a Megachurch Pastor. Read more

Al Mohler responds to a question about the evangelical phrase, "Asking Jesus into my heart."

Hat Tip: Said at Southern.

Kelly Kannwischer, who blogs at A Pastor's Wife, earned her MDiv and writes,  "So You Want To Go To Seminary."Read more