I don’t KNOW if I will, or will not, correspond with anyone for the next few days. Tracy, the girls and I are taking advantage of the extended weekend and we’re heading to the lake for a few days thanks to the generous hospitality of some friends from our church. I’m looking forward to relaxing, spending time on the water, and coming back from Osage Beach nice and tanned (and hopefully not sunburned ). We should have wifi while we’re down at the lake but I’m not planning to spend excessive amounts of time using it. So, I’ll talk to you each when I get back. Until then, have a fantastic Independence Day.

Although I already have an enormous appreciation for the life of Dr. Adrian Rogers, I’ll have to admit that my admiration grew a bit today. While having lunch with a friend of mine who is a member of our church, but who also grew up at Bellevue, I was surprised to learn that Dr. Rogers was a diehard Gators fan. My friend loved Dr. Rogers but is also a fan of FSU so it pained him a bit to share it with me, but I couldn’t be happier.

After a bit of searching, I ran across this Baptist Press article that confirms it. It’s good to see men of God who not only love God’s word and His church with a passion, but who also love the greatest team in America with a passion.

A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to be a part of Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation’s blog tour as they share with others about their new book, Compelled by Love. These guys generously offered to send me a copy of the book to review, which I was more than excited to do. After reading the book, however, I am even more excited about the book.

This book is fascinating in that it looks at missional living from a different perspective than I have seen, that is through the eyes of love. Missional has really become the cool catch phrase of the year with many people assigning their own definitions to the word and, unfortunately, the result has been something of a diluted definition that becomes almost benign, at times, because of its ambiguity. Stetzer and Nation, however, seem to have a very clear picture in mind when it comes to the concept of missional living and this book helps provide a foundation for the application of missional life. By providing what they believe is the foundation to missional thinking Stetzer and Nation help to justify not only the priority of missional as important, but even more than that, they help affirm that is is non-negotiable. Stetzer and Nation’s work is a significant addition to the literary world. I would strongly recommend that you get a copy.

Stetzer and Nation answered a few questions for us about the book. They help shed some light on the book itself. They did this through both a written interview and an audio interview. You can find both interviews below. I appreciate their willingness to invest this time to help us understand the significance of this concept. You also should run by and take a look at the website for the book. You can find it by clicking here.

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Click on the audio player to hear the interview with Dr. Stetzer

[audio:http://www.micahfries.com/audio/Stetzer Interview.mp3]
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1. Ed, you write often about contextualization. Why do you write a book about love and how does love contribute to biblical contextualization?

Ed: Without love, contextualization becomes nothing more than manipulation. Love makes contextualization a personal activity rather than a spiritual experiment.

2. In the book you share that defining biblical love is extremely difficult. While that may be true, can you possibly give us a word picture that will illustrate what biblical love looks like, particularly in relationship to contextualization?

Philip: The word picture which seems most prevalent is that of marriage. Great marriages are characterized by selfless sacrifice. No one is keeping score of who sacrificed more. They simply sacrifice because the other person matters more.

3. There are a tremendous amount of books that are on the market and which correspond with conferences. Why then the need to write this book and how is different from the rest?

Philip: The intention for the book was to give “normal Christians” a guide for why they should do all the things the pastor was asking of them. I think believers want to make a difference, but sometimes their motivations fail them. The biblical ideal of love can be a primary force leading them to be missional.

4. Missional is a popular yet controversial term. Can you attempt to define it and explain its importance?

Ed: I think that “missional” is like a Rorschach Test for many. In the Rorschach test, you asked what you see in random inkblots. It tells much about you and what you think and feel. The same is true for in the missional conversation. In many way, how we define “missional” is influenced by our concerns about what is wrong, and what is right, with the church today.

So, I can’t say my definition is the only one, but I will say that mission is shaped by a few things for me: Seeing God as missionary by his very nature, we join God in his mission. We tell of his good news, engage our communities as missionaries, and are agents of the mission and Kingdom of God.

5. Philip, how did the concepts in this book help you as you planted a new church that was much different than the other churches in your area? Do you find that it helps Lake Ridge to be more effective in communicating the gospel?

Philip: I want to be careful to say that I think other churches in our area hold out love as important. How love is communicated in our church is that without it, you will let your neighbor’s marriage crumble without intervening, your co-worker’s project crash without helping, and everyone around you perish eternally without caring. God’s love being made manifest in our lives causes us to go into the messy lives surrounding us and carry the only thing that will make a difference - the Gospel.

6. How does love relate to Missiology?

Ed: Missiology is the study of how mission work is done and why it succeeds. If you remove love from the framework, it degenerates into secular sociology that is pure pragmatism. With the desire to draw people into the love of God through the gospel, it lifts the study to having a divine purpose.

7. One of the things I’ve noticed is that many people talk about being “missional” but there doesn’t seem to be much difference in their behavior. What practical helps do you offer in the book to lead people to be more “missional”?

Philip: Throughout the book, we real stories from our own lives and those of our friends who live missionally. Additionally, there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter that can be used individually or in a group setting.

8. Philip, as a life-long member of the Southern Baptist Convention, how does this book offer help for our current denominational decline?

Philip: The state we find ourselves is uncharted territory for me. I pray that it can be a clear call of death to self. The denomination as a whole is merely an annual representation of local congregations which are clusters of individual believers. My prayer is that a book like Compelled by Love will awaken our passion for God’s love on such a local level that denominational effectiveness is simply a happy aftershock.

9. With Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation championing a book I’m sure many will assume that this is a book for “contemporary” settings. In your opinions, is this a traditional/contemporary issue or a “church-at-large” issue?

Philip: The state of our hearts is not a style issue. It is very much for the church at large. I grew up and have done most of my ministry in toe-tapping, Southern Gospel singing, wear a suit every Sunday churches. I love the fact that all styles of churches can lead people to Christ’s lordship. Our book gives no specific guidance of contemporary or traditional - it simply asks for an examination of our heart before God.

Ed: After Philip’s description of church, I am speechless. Southern Gospel, eh?

Anyway, I think the fact the book is about people and how they react to the love of God as expressed through the cross-that is trans-paradigm.

10. Lots of people have endorsed the book… why does the message resonate?

Philip: It seems to be relatively unique at this season of church life. We are simply grateful to the godly people who have leant their influence to its message.

11. If you could narrow down your desire for this book to one thing, what do you hope happens in the lives of your readers after reading this book?

Ed: One is hard, so you will have to give me two. First, for Christians to simply understand God’s heart better. Second, for them to see and love their community as the mission field.

12. Both of you have worked for your denomination. How would this message affect the way the SBC operates?

Ed: Though not reared Southern Baptist, I’m glad I have made the choice to be here. Contrary to what you see in the news and on some blogs, love is not in short supply in our denomination. I would hope to see it influence the way we communicate with those who seek to forge new models but still remain faithful to the Gospel and God’s inerrant scriptures.

Philip: The message of God’s sacrificing love can be the reinforcing power of why we do it. The temptation for self-aggrandizement is always before us because we are the largest Protestant denomination. Love will keep us humble because it will keep our focus outward.

13. Many in contemporary culture seem to equate love with tolerance of all things. Is this true? If not, how do you remain committed to biblical principles and yet still remain loving?

Philip: Jesus said in Matthew 10 that he came to bring a sword and not peace. Love must tell the truth and will not tolerate evil. When you tell the truth as God decrees it, it is divisive. As we live out God’s searching love, our work is to bring what will heal the mortal wounds of the soul. It is God’s love displayed exclusively in the Gospel to atone for the sin nature. There is not much tolerance there.

14. According to 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” With that as a central theme in your book, how does it shape the rest of the Christian’s life?

Ed: It shapes a person’s perspective. As God is love and calls us to follow in his way, we will simply perceive everyone with an everlasting scope rather than a temporary lens. When you see everyday events as part of a person’s eternity, being motivated to aid them becomes natural.

15. What if a reader says, “My life is not compelled by love.” What is your answer for them?

Ed: Not to give a Sunday School answer, but look at Jesus every day. Not just the rote “read a chapter a day,” but consider how he interacted with the other members of the Trinity, the apostles, the Pharisees, and the lost around him. Look and see if you can find anything outside the scope of love. Even in his just actions, you find love for God’s glory through redemption. Make that your central thought and you are on the way.

Ok, so I know that I said I probably would not be posting again before Indy. Well, I wasn’t planning to until I received an email this afternoon from Dr. Nathan Finn who shared with me about a new site that he is contributing to, along with 4 other professors from Southeastern Seminary including the president, Dr. Danny Akin, found at BetweenTheTimes.com. Nathan, while speaking about the blog says, “We will be posting on a variety of topics, including theology, culture, mission, the SBC, and book reviews.”

To see Nathan continue his good work in writing is always encouraging but to see him joined by a number of able minded professors is particularly encouraging. I look forward to reading what is written there and I hope that you will take a few moments to do the same thing. I’m also looking forward to seeing one of our seminary presidents taking on blogging. It should be fun to watch.

You can connect with the new blog by clicking [here].

This should probably be my last post before heading to Indianapolis. I’m backed up with work to do and I’ve got a wedding to perform this weekend so I don’t think I’ll have time to write anymore. I wanted to write a quick note and mention a couple of things to look for while I’m gone to the convention.

• First, I will not be live blogging. I’m not planning to take my laptop into the convention hall this year which will be a first compared to the past couple of years. I will, however, be in communication during the convention with my good friend, Alan Cross. Alan can’t be in Indy this year but will have access to his computer. If anything important pops up, I will let Alan know and he will get the word out asap. Be sure to bookmark his site and be prepared to check his updates out.
• Although I won’t be live blogging, I’ll try to provide a nightly update on the convention. I am often very busy during this week so I’m not promising anything. I know, however, that it is pretty typical for my site traffic to triple during convention week so I know many of you are looking for info. I’ll do the best I can to provide it.
• I’m privileged to be a part of Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation’s blog tour to promote their new book, “Compelled by Love“. As part of that I will be posting a two part interview on Tuesday during the convention. Part 1 will feature a written interview which we did this week. Part 2, however, will feature an audio interview with Ed that we’ll be recording Monday morning in Indy. Be sure to watch for that. The book is fantastic and Stetzer and Nation help provide some excellent resources.
• Thankfully our church has been very generous in their commitment to missions giving through the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings and as a result Tracy and I have been invited to a dinner with the IMB and then a luncheon with NAMB. I’m looking forward to spending that time with the great missions thinkers in our convention.
• Ok, this one is kind of goofy, but I figured I’d have some fun this year and mix everybody up. I think I’m going to sport a suit every day of the convention. After my jeans and shirts over the past two years, I thought that would be a fun change of pace.

I have previously made my commitment to Avery Wills for 2008 SBC President clear. I believe he is the man who is best suited to lead our convention forward at this place in convention life.

One of the men in the IMB that I highly admire is Dr. Rodney Hammer. I first met Rodney while in training to go overseas with the IMB. Tracy and I lived side by side with Rodney, his wife and son. I learned then, while listening to Rodney teach during our training, to value his opinions significantly. Today Rodney briefly commented on SBCOutpost and offered his opinion about the upcoming SBC Presidential election. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would reproduce it here in hopes that even more people might consider his words.

SBC Friends,

I believe that Avery Willis is the one SBC presidential candidate that can bring what the SBC needs now…focus and leadership in spiritual renewal. Repentance and Revival will bring the fruit, the spiritual health, and the evangelism and mission results we so desparately desire. Beholdened to none except Christ, focused on the Kingdom, an Irenic conservative known and beloved throughout the Convention for his focus on spiritual health, revival, discipleship, evangelims and missions. It’s not his platform…it’s his entire life and ministry. The appointments and practical leadership will also see greater involvement of younger, more diverse, gospel and Kingdom focused Southern Baptists as well.
Bill Wagner is a good man. But Avery Willis is, I believe, God’s man for the hour and the model of what we need.

Amen Rodney, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Dr. Joel Rainey has written a new book, Planting Churches in the Real World, that is a fantastic find if you are planting a church of thinking of planting a church. What’s more, if you are in a traditional church I am convinced that much of the material in the book can be helpful to you as well. Rainey has helped plant over 30 churches and is currently the Director of the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association outside of Washington D.C.

I first began to read some of Rainey’s writings over the past few years online through various blogs and found his writing to be very thoughtful as well as insightful. This past February, however, I finally had the privilege of meeting Joel in person and found him to be even more enjoyable in person than he is online. Joel forwarded a copy of this book to read through and review.

What makes this book particularly unique is that Rainey makes no attempt to mislead planters by highlighting the exciting, but statistically rare, church plant which skyrockets in attendance right from the beginning. Instead he considers what is the vast majority of church plants, that being plants that grow slowly, yet consistently, but who will probably never grow to “supersize” church status. What also sets this book apart is that it is extremely practical. Rather than give abstract, ethereal wisdom or advice, Rainey sticks to practical wisdom supported by real life experience which lends itself to simple application on the part of the church planter.

If you are a church planter, or a wannabe church planter, I would really encourage you to spend the few dollars and pick up this book. It’s simple, easy to read, practical advice from someone who has been there and done it when it comes to church planting and I think it could be priceless for your ministry.

You can purchase a copy using the links found by clicking here.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Church planting is not for the easily discouraged. The average new church is less than 100 attenders after four years, but most conference speakers and book writers tell stories of hundreds after the first year– a reality few church planters experience. Rainey paints a picture of reality, including both the difficulties involved in starting a new church, and the evidence that planting a church is worth enduring those difficulties. If you are a planter drunk with vision, this will sober you up. But, it is more than that. It also shows that church plants make a difference whether they are thousands or dozens after the first year. I’ve known Joel for years, and he tells the stories from his own journey– telling lessons he learned the hard way. It’s real world church planting and it is worth your time.
Dr. Ed Stetzer, author of Planting Missional Churches. Director of Research, Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN

“Dr. Rainey amuses the reader with countless stories of life on the field. His “lessons learned” approach to the book serves as a clear warning for future church planters: “The Kingdom of Heaven is near you, but this won’t be easy!”
Dr. Jack Allen, Director, The Day Center for Church Planting. New Orleans, LA

“Candid, winsome, thoroughly biblical, keenly missional, and sensibly linked to the real world. Don’t be fooled. The weightiness of this little book is inversely proportional to its size, and its wise counsel will help point a safe way through the tangle of neglected assumptions, misguided strategies, ill-founded hopes, and unintentional blunders that accosts the unwary planter on the way to church. Well done!”
B. Spencer Haygood, Senior Pastor, Orange Hill Baptist Church. Marietta, GA

“Born in the ward of real world experience, Planting Churches in the Real World is theologically sound, theoretically tenable, and practically accessible. During a time when starting a church can be faddish, Rainey’s work is a dose of both Biblical wisdom and common sense that will stop many would-be church planters before a frustrating failure, and direct many others onward toward biblical success.”
Marty Duren, co-author of Journeys: Transitioning Churches to Relevance. Lead Pastor, New Bethany Church. Buford, GA

“Reality bites, as the saying goes. Yet in the age of incredible lostness in America, we must see church planting for what it is . . . a way to spread Gospel influence to every, man, woman and child. High birth weight churches, although fun and influential for the Kingdom, are not the norm, nor are they the answer. Joel Rainey has captured the reality and yet the incredible potential of church planting. New churches running less than 100 are key players in the Kingdom. Small does not have to mean ineffective. Small groups of missionary Christians are critical to our mission and our future. Way to go!
Dr. Dino Senesi. Church Planting Movement Leader, Columbia, SC

Over the past few months I have not written much original material for the blog. To be honest, school has been a bit of a load and my workload at the church has been pretty high. While the church workload will continue to remain high, school is out now and I’ve got a couple of things in the hopper that I wanted to let you know about.

First, I’ve known of Joel Rainey for quite some time through the blog world. Thankfully, however, I got to meet him in person not too long ago. Joel forwarded me a copy of his new book, Planting Churches in the Real World. I’m excited about reviewing it and hopefully should have that review posted within the next week.

Next, speaking of new books, coming up on June 10th I will have a interview with Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation dealing with their new book, Compelled by Love. I’m part way through the book and it is outstanding so far. I’m looking forward to that post. Since that date happens to fall while we are all three going to be in Indy for the SBC Annual Meeting I am also attempting to arrange an audio interview. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we can arrange that.

Finally I’m beginning to work on a series of posts entitled “Mission Dei”. I find that a large number of SBC churches have no actual strategy in respect to missions methodology. A lack of strategic planning, in my opinion, leads to a lack of long term impact and allows for an unfortunate overexpenditure in regards to missions money. I want to help lay out a few principles that guide my thinking in regards to a comprehensive missions strategy for a local church. If you are from another church besides Frederick Boulevard, hopefully this will challenge you to think through your own missions efforts. If you read this from Frederick Boulevard hopefully this will help you to understand where we are going as a church in respect to our missions efforts. It should be an exciting series!

Finally, I’m going to leave you with a Weekend Worship video. It’s been a while since I’ve posted one but I recently ran across this new song from Chris Tomlin, City of God, and I’ve fallen in love with it. I wanted to share it with you as well. I hope you enjoy it this weekend.