4 Myths About Successful College Ministry

Myth 1: Money=Ministry.

Truth: It takes prayer, commitment, partnership, and submission to the Gospel Money doesn’t raise itself, but people oftentimes give where God is moving.

Myth 2:  If you want to grow a ministry, you have to attract the popular crowd.

Truth: If we want to be Biblical, we have to reach more than just popular people. We are called to “make disciples” of All Nations, not just with Greeks and athletes.

Myth 3: We have to have a cool band and a great communicator.

Truth: Cool bands and great communicators may be an immediate appeal, but what keeps people connected is ownership. This includes creating a leadership structure and getting people connected.

Myth 4: creative, trendy, and "coffee house" environments alongside strong leadership personalities are essential.

Truth: Spirit driven, prayerful direction, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is essential.

This is What the Bible Means to Me

We’ve all heard this statement in Bible study and in everyday conversations. But is this statement true? Can the Bible be subjective to each individual? Some would say this statement is a result of a relativistic and postmodern philosophy.  However, both interpretations can’t be right can they? They are as right as a person being both Hindu and Christian at the same time.  Both can be authentically sincere, but one is sincerely wrong. The text can Never mean today what it didn't mean when it was written.

So how can you best understand what the Bible means?
   1. Use Hebrew/Greek Language resources

           2. Understand the passage contextually (history/culture
           3. Know the literary style
       4. Understand the Bible is a redemptive meta-narrative pointing to Christ.
       5. Compile a basic library of interpretation (commentaries, Word Studies, dictionary, concordance, study bible, etc.)

It’s not enough to just read the Bible, but to understand what it means. 

The 4 P's That Make My Father Great

Priest:  My dad wasn’t Catholic, but there wasn’t the slightest doubt whether or not he was praying on behalf of our family.  Before he went into remission with lymphoma in the mid 90’s, I remember him crying out to God on his bedside as I was listening in the room next door.

Prophet: My dad took every opportunity for my brother and I to provide teachable moments. From a very early age, he implanted in us a biblical worldview through every life situation. I can remember him filling the margins of his Bible full of notes during church and leading our family with the harness of scripture. He was truly a mouthpiece of God for his family.

Provider: We always had enough and we were never in need. Both of my parents were schoolteachers so we had to get pretty creative to go on summer vacations and get state of the art resources. Every summer, the Logan family went on vacation in a Ford Econoline van with a CB radio and an air conditioner window unit in the back: I think we’ve stayed at every KOA campground in the Southeast. I remember waking up in Pigeon Forge one morning soaking wet after the air conditioner leaked on me all nigh. However, those times were some of the greatest memories of my childhood.

In the mid 80’s, The Encyclopedia World Book was “The Thing” to have, but they were pretty expensive.  So, one summer, dad went to work with Encyclopedia and sold just enough sets that we were able get a free set at home. Brad and I were so excited: especially about the “goofy” children’s version.

Protector: Every child thinks his dad is an immortal superhero. I didn’t think any differently. He was the epitome of masculinity: after all, he was a football coach with a mustache who drank his coffee black.  After seeing the fear in the eyes of his football players after he chewed em out, I knew he deserved respect from me. The only thing my teachers had to do to control my behavior was threaten me to call my dad: nothing else required. Consequently, I knew he was there to protect me from any situation anywhere as long as I made biblically wise decisions. There was nothing cowardice about him: he protected me many times even when I didn’t know I was in danger.

The list could go on and on because he is truly a great father. 

Ministry Graphic Design Secrets Revealed

Campus ministers and students are always surprised to learn that we create all of our graphics using Adobe Creative Suite, but there is a secret that mega churches have I will reveal here. 

My suggestion for every business or church is to buy the latest creative suite no matter how computer literate you are because you can go to http://www.creationswap.com/free and download free photoshop files, ai, psi, jpg. to use as a template for advertising, message series, etc. 

You don't have to know the technicalities of graphic design. If there's something you need to learn, there's typically a you tube video that will teach you. So, if you want to save thousands of dollars outsourcing, you need to buy photoshop or photoshop elements, which is the much cheaper younger brother. I've attached some of the recent pics i've created using Illustrator and Photoshop. I'm still learning alot, but creative myk is the lifesaver. 

I Prefer Roses Over Tulips: A Biblical Understanding in the Doctrines of Grace

I get asked pretty often in theological circles if I am a Calvinist.  From now on I will direct them to this blog.

I typically have two answers when I answer whether or not I'm a Calvinist.

1. Short version without deep theological thoughts: “I’m a four pointer, so I don’t accept limited atonement” Even though I believe if you define T-U-L-I-P properly, you can’t accept one point without the other. Put differently, you can embrace one without the other.

2. Long answer: The answer lies within the definition of what you mean by the five points of Calvinism.  So how do you define them, and I will explain if I accept those definitions. Unfortunately, most people don’t define them by their historical meanings.

Grace is the theme of the Bible from first to last. Sola gratia or “Grace Alone” is the most fundamental affirmation of evangelical Christianity. But what are the doctrines of grace? One of the most popular paradigms comes from a post reformation controversy in Holland called T-U-L-I-P

It may be better to stop talking about points at all. The main point is grace…

However, I would like to recommend a new acrostic entitled R-O-S-E-S which is taken from Timothy George’s book “Amazing Grace” :

R- Radical Depravity

O- Overcoming Grace

S- Sovereign Election

E- Eternal Life

S- Singular (Particular) Atonement

Radical Depravity

Humans are in a mess, inheriting a corrupted nature. However, Total depravity suggests there is no good whatsoever in humans. Put differently, Total depravity teaches God’s image has been erased from humanity. I would say God’s image was defaced in humanity through our sin not completely erased. Radical depravity says we are condemned before the righteousness of God and can do nothing to save ourselves; consequently, we are spiritually dead without Christ, as Total Depravity believes. Total Depravity was one of the reasons why infant baptisms took place in reformed churches.

Overcoming Grace

The term Irresistible grace can be misleading because it suggests that humans are drawn to God is a mechanical, impersonal way much like metal to a magnet.  Consequently, Irresistible grace eliminates any moral responsibility and leads to determinism. Overcoming grace or effectual calling explains God’s pursuit of humanity through wooing them in spite their stubbornness and rebellion.  God doesn’t violate the free moral agent through his act of regeneration.

Sovereign Election

Unconditional election is misleading because it suggests that God’s election does not involve a genuine response. Worse, it suggests that God elects some to go to hell. The Bible is clear that no one will come before God and blame his condemnation on the fact he or she wasn’t elected.  The Bible speaks of the reprobate’s  (Rom. 9:14-32; 1 Peter 2:8) hearts hardening as a result of their own disobedience and rebellion to God.  The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all persons, and each will be held responsible for the light he or she has received (Titus 2:11)

Eternal Life

The word perseverance is misleading because it suggests persisting, continuing, and being steadfast as though we are kept by our strenuous efforts. Words are not a condition for eternal life, but rather, a consequence of eternal life. The gospel of “easy believism” is a distortion of perseverance. Eternal Life is not only life that lasts eternally; it is the very life of God. It can never be extinguished any more than God can commit suicide. Eternal security does not negate free will. After new birth, the freedom from the power and penalty of sin becomes a reality.

Singular Redemption

Limited atonement is misleading because it suggests there is a deficiency in Christ’s work on the cross.  Christ’s work on the cross is sufficient to save everyone who ever lived in the entire history of the world, however, efficient only to those who repent and believe in the gospel. C.H. Spurgeon believed “Whosoever will” may come to Christ.

And that is my understanding of the doctrines of grace and it’s why I am denominationally Baptist. However, I have Christian friends all throughout the mysterious spectrum of grace. The paradoxes of the faith should unite us who think differently and we should celebrate grace, not argue in the the detail of the minutia. On the other hand, God has called us to Love him with all of our minds. 

What Do I Teach College Students in A Corporate Setting? The Bible?

Many of my friends would rightly say “why ask that question, just teach the Bible.” Simply Put, that's what all communicators of the gospel should do. However, I am not here to argue expository preaching vs. topical preaching, but rather, marry both techniques into a taxonomy that resembles a 21st century liturgical method of planning. All scripture is equally God-breathed, but not equally applicable to collegians. Therefore, a strict expository method may not be the most conducive. Put differently, spending 2 semesters on the book of Leviticus may not be the best idea. So, what type of taxonomy is most conducive for collegians? I would suggest a method that is strategic to the timing of specific situations that collegians deal with in light of the vision of ministry juxtaposed with doctrine and practical teaching. While planning a series of semester messages, I will always start with a series on what the vision of ministry is really about which should always stem from the great commission. I like teaching a series, however, my rule of thumb is that a series shouldn’t be over three weeks because they can get long winded.

Here are the 7 goals for my teaching:

1. Gospel centered
2. Exegetical
3. Practical
4. Life change
5. Doctrinal
6. Dialogical
7. Creative