What: Asian Americans Building Healthy Churches (sponsored by 9Marks)
Where: Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky.
When: April 13, 2010 from 9:00-10:30 am
Who: Jeffrey Jue speaking followed by panel discussion. Panel guests: Jeffrey Jue, Julius Kim, Mark Dever, and host Jeremy Yong.

Who should attend the preconference?
This preconference is really for everyone, not just Asian Americans! If you are an Asian American thinking about your own ministry, we trust this will serve you. But even if you are curious to know what issues face many of your Asian American brothers and sisters, or if you haven’t the slightest clue what an Asian American is, the preconference is for you! Through this conference, we hope to raise awareness of what God is doing in Asian American churches around us and consider how we might support them in the fight of faith.

Why are you excited about having Jeff Jue, Julius Kim, and Mark Dever there? And what will we be discussing?
We have brothers from different cultures, and denominations, joining together in the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, with the same goal of seeing the local church display the glory of God… That in itself is exciting!

I’m especially looking forward to Jeff Jue’s talk called “The Unadjusted Gospel and the Asian American Church.” I’m sure Dr. Jue’s address will be great fodder for discussion as we examine the particular challenges Asian American Christians and their churches face in preserving and growing in the gospel. Dr. Kim and Dr. Dever will be excellent conversation partners.

How Can I Find out More Information?
To find out more information and to register, visit www.projectantioch.org.

What is Project Antioch and why does it exist?
With a common friendship and shared desires to see Asian American Churches grow in health, three friends joined together to form Project Antioch, a group dedicated to addressing Asian American church issues and promoting its health Project Antioch has partnered with 9 Marks to bring you Asian Americans Building Healthy Churches. See you at the preconference!

Praise God for His kindness. Can’t wait to join with you soon, friends, praising our Savior.

T4G2010 Schedule

1. Bring your video camera to T4G 2010 (nothing too professional, no lighting kits).
2. Capture footage of your time (interviewing attendees, walking around the bookstore…anything except interviewing the main speakers).
3. Create a “commercial” (2 min. max) telling people why they should attend T4G 2012. Be creative. Think outside the box.
4. We will select up to 10 winners for prizes ranging from $500 + free registration to T4G 2012 to $250 + free registration to T4G2012.

Entries maybe be submitted on a DVD by mail:

T4G
525 A St. NE
Washington, DC 20002

Or you may post them privately on Vimeo, and then email us with the subject line “T4G 2012 Video Promo” at: info@t4g.org.

Submissions are due by July 1, 2010. Winners will be notified by September 1, 2010.

Thanks for your help.

When I was a young pastor, a wise older pastor communicated to me an unforgettable sentence: “C.J., prepare your church for suffering.” I’ve never forgotten that sentence. It’s a sentence that informed my 27 privileged years in pastoral ministry. It is a sentence that reminded me over the years to prepare the church I love and serve for suffering. It is a sentence I have shared many times with several pastors over the years. And it is why I approached Mark, Al, and Lig with the idea of having Matt Chandler take my session.

Hearing from Matt will equip us as pastors to respond to suffering in a way that glorifies God. And it will help us return to our churches more intentional about preparing those we love for suffering. From my observation Matt has done this well, both personally and pastorally. I want to learn from his example and I think you will as well.

Here’s the plan (as it currently stands): Matt will address us from Scripture on the topic of suffering, and at the conclusion of the message I will interview him further on the topic. I will conclude the session with a few minutes of pastoral application. It is my hope that this session will serve you because serving you is the very purpose of this conference. Mark, Al, Lig, and I believe local church pastors are doing the most important work and the most difficult work, and it is quite an honor to serve you in these few days we have together.

Please pray for all who are speaking at the conference and the countless folks who will be serving behind the scenes. And please pray for Matt Chandler, who in the midst of severe suffering is honoring the Savior for whom this conference exists.

C.J.

I have some news for you about the upcoming T4G conference.  Our brother Matt Chandler (pastor of the Village Church near Dallas, TX) has graciously agreed, health permitting, to be with us.  During CJ’s slot on Thursday, CJ will introduce Matt, and Matt will then share with us about what God has been teaching him through his recent struggles.  CJ will then ask him some questions, and exhort us as we conclude our time together.  Pray for him and for us, that God would use this time for His glory.

Mark Dever, for CJ, Lig & Al.

1) Where do you pastor?

I pastor in the NE area of Indianapolis, Indiana at a non-denominational Baptist church called Castleview Baptist Church. I have been at the church for a little over a year. The congregation is a sweet group of people that is diverse in age and also becoming diverse in ethnicity as our community continues to change. It has been exciting to see how gospel-centered, expository preaching continues to shape us as a local body of Christ. With the Midwest easily characterized by its morality where Jesus is simply a mascot and the cross is a logo, we are trying to minister as a people committed to the glory of Christ as it is heard through the gospel and seen in its impact in our lives, personally and corporately.

2) How did you come to Christ?

Growing up for my part of my life in South Carolina in a non-Christian home, I was exposed to cultural Christianity but never heard the gospel. A man named James Walker moved in next door to my family. He turned out to be a new youth pastor at a Baptist Church. After visiting his church several times and having him explain to me the gospel, I surrendered my life to Christ. My knowledge of sin was real, personal, and pervasive in my life and the lives of those around me. Forgiveness and adoption by God through the work of Christ was overwhelming to me. I remember that night like it was yesterday.

3) Describe your call to ministry.

“Wandering in the wilderness” would best describe my time leading up to my full-time pursuit of ministry. I was very confused as to what “the call” meant. I thought I needed to have certain goose bumps or some other mystical experience. While in college, as I was taught by those in leadership in my local church, I began to recognize that the pattern Paul instructed Timothy in was desire, character, giftedness, affirmation, and opportunity. Thanks to men like Dwight Moody, Jerry Wragg, and John MacArthur my call to ministry was affirmed.

4) Tell us about your family.

I am married to a rock star named Danelle and we have three boys, Isaac, David, and Jeremiah. Two were born in California and are ours by birth and one was born in Ethiopia and is ours by adoption. The Bancroft Five lives in a house full of energy and we love to invite almost all of Indianapolis over to our house. A person walking into our house is usually greeted with a playlist created by my boys of anything from Trip Lee to Andrew Peterson, from Above & Beyond to Angel Taylor.

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies?

Moving from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, we have learned to have winter activities and summer activities. Our favorite winter activity is tying a rope to the backseat of our Honda Element, dropping the tailgate, and flying around the neighborhoods on snow discs (Indiana’s flat so you have to improvise). Summer fun includes the boys riding bikes while I ride the longboard skateboard on the Monon trail of Indianapolis, hiking through various parks looking for animals to “subdue,” and anything else that makes for a lot of laundry.

Beyond that, I love triathlons, adventure races, other outdoor sports, and going on wild date nights with my wife (which could potentially qualify as another outdoor sport).

6) Favorite biography?

Without a doubt, it would be Arnold Dallimore’s two-volume biography of George Whitefield. Reading about his life has made a big impact on my life. His passion for the lost and God’s sovereign purpose to bless his preaching like never recorded before in human history is stunning. It has definitely fueled my mindset that I would rather die at forty exhausted for the kingdom of Christ then live to eighty and be well rested because of my apathy.

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G?

My title is “Convincing Christianity: The Implications of a Robust Gospel in Marriage.” As Christians, we want the world to hear about the glory of God in Christ. Such a commitment is seen partly in the effects of the gospel working themselves out in our relationships, and no better single relationship for that to be seen in than our marriage; the epicenter of all relationships. This is about the convergence of Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Missiology. Nothing less than the glory of Christ and his saving work is at stake.

8)Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

I’ve wrestled with the Big Mac and it’s no fun. The man is a powerhouse. But I think I’m ready for the Mohler Madness. As long as we have to leave our books at the ropes, I would step into the ring.

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

· Because its two hours from Indy and I can bring more guys come from our church.

· Because the messages always challenge me to think deeply about Christ.

· Because it is three days of fasting from sleep but three days of indulging in fellowship. The late night conversations I have had with friends from Sovereign Grace Churches the last two T4G’s have been worth the registration alone. Chase these men down to learn about theology that percolates into the soul.

· Because it begins new friendships that are formed from a passion for the gospel and a common commitment to humility by learning from others as we are reminded how big Christ’s church is.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

One of the most helpful contributions to my love for the work of the gospel and view of Christ’s church has been to leave the borders of America and be involved in ministry in other countries around the world. It has caused my heart to long for the fullness of worship promised in Revelation 7 and helped me parse the “American” from my “Christianity.” It has given me a fuller picture of “T4G.”

Roland Bainton, Here I Stand (Martin Luther)

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G?

I’ll be speaking on the question, “What is the Gospel?”  Even though Christians all would affirm that the gospel is at the center of their lives, it seems to me that there is a good deal of confusion out there—and even perhaps “in here” among evangelicals, too—about what the gospel really is.  Questions abound:  How does gospel relate to kingdom?  How does gospel relate to cultural transformation?  Is the cross about Jesus exhausting the wrath of God in the place of sinners, or something else?  Even if it is about that, aren’t there other images of the cross that will communicate better with our culture?

8)Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

Definitely Mark.  No question.  Ask him how many push-ups he can do!

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

What a great time the last two conferences have been—seeing old friends, being reminded of our calling as Christians to be clear on the gospel, and rejoicing in it through incredible music!  I am fully expecting God to pour out the same blessings on T4G’10.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

Nope, don’t think so.

I am assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC.  Mark Dever is my senior pastor, and it’s been wonderful to work with him and the other guys here at CHBC.  When I was here in 2000-2002, I never imagined that the Lord would give me another opportunity to spend time living and working my brothers and sisters here in DC.  But I am deeply grateful that he did!

2) How did you come to Christ?

I was raised in a Christian home by wonderful Christian parents.  We attended church faithfully, and the gospel was made clear to me over and over again as a child.  I was converted and baptized at the age of 9, during a week-long revival meeting at my church.  I remember listening intently to the sermon (though I don’t remember now what was said!), and I remember being convinced that I was a sinner deserving of God’s punishment, that Jesus had been punished for me, and that I could be blessed instead of punished if I trusted in him. It was a simple understanding of the gospel, but it was a real one.

3) Describe your call to ministry.

Never once as a teenager did I ever feel God calling me to the ministry.  I went to college determined to go to law school and start a degree in politics, but between my freshman and sophomore years at college I attended a week-long camp as a counselor to a group of high school freshmen.  That was an atomic week in my life, one in which God flipped some switches in my heart that had never been flipped before—concern for someone’s spiritual well-being, a pastoral love for others that I’d never felt before.  It really was overwhelming, and over the next year I wrestled hard with that.  By the end of my sophomore year, though, I knew that God had called me to the ministry, and I was ready to follow Him in that call.

4) Tell us about your family.

I am married to Moriah, the woman who is truly the love of my life, and we have three children.  They are Justin (6 years old) and Jack (3 years old), and Juliet (born in Jan. 2010).  My boys are 100% boy, and their days are filled with tractors and swords and balls and bats and super-hero capes and light-sabers.  God has blessed me beyond belief!

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies?

I enjoy all kinds of sports (you don’t have to be good at them to enjoy them!), reading, snow skiing, water skiing, running, playing Wii with my 6-year-old, hiking with the family, double- or triple-dates with friends, a movie and take-out Thai with Moriah.  Those are a few.

I re-read Werner Neuer’s biography of Adolf Schlatter (translated by Robert Yarbrough, a former professor) every Advent.  Schlatter was a genius of amazing breadth, and his labors as a scholar for the gospel’s sake (in a hostile European context) are an annual encouragement to me as a pastor.  He’s not a household name, but I love this biography.

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G?

“The Fears of the Minister.”  Substitute the word “fears” with “insecurities,” and you’ll get a pretty good idea of what I plan to address.  Ministers talk about Jesus Christ a lot, but we have come up with all sorts of ways to place our identity elsewhere.  (Even during the gospel-saturated days of T4G, most everyone there — especially ministers! — will be sizing each other up and wondering how they stack up by comparison!)  This session will be as pertinent to non-clergy as it is to ordained ministers.

8)Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

Ligon used to doubt my claims to mastery of Shaolin Kung Fu, but after what we simply refer to as “the incident,” he now grows strangely silent whenever the matter comes up.

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

I’m a blank slate, having never attended T4G.  It will be a 90 degree learning curve for me.  I’m humbled to be a part of it.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

Thank you for even reading this far.  And I think that 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 would be a fitting way to be praying for those teaching that week, especially the main speakers.

#T4G2010

So put that in and start chatting about the upcoming conference!

I pastor Downtown Presbyterian Church, a church plant of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.  Our city’s downtown has undergone a revitalization that has garnered national attention, and our church is committed to this particular area of our city.

2) How did you come to Christ?

I grew up in the church but didn’t have ears to hear until high school.  In God’s mercy, He granted me the new birth when I was a tenth grader, using the teaching of His Word in our church and older believers there who invested time in me.  And He has provided others to preach and model the gospel to me ever since.

3) Describe your call to ministry.

I had talked myself into being a business major in college, but even in high school I had thought about pursuing ordained ministry.  One particular thing that the Lord used was reading the first volume of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ biography during my summer job lunch breaks about halfway through college.  After graduation, I worked as an intern with Reformed University Fellowship, which confirmed both an “inward” and “outward” call to the ministry.

4) Tell us about your family.

My precious wife, Dana, is a Mississippian like myself.  [Insert all the "outside-my-league" type remarks here.  They would all be accurate.]  Our children’s names — Henry (9), John (7), and Betsy (4) — have been described both as “old school” and as “British royalty.”  All my attempts to make our children as boring as myself have failed.

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies?

I love to take over-produced 80′s songs and strip them down to a bare-bones arrangement for my acoustic guitar.

See you in 2010!

6) Favorite biographies?

The Plain Mr. Knox by Elizabeth Wheatley
Thomas Cramner: A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch
Derek Jeter by Michael Bradley

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G (talk title and summation of content)?

My title is “Unity, Not Uniformity: Diversity in the Body of Christ”.  I hope to talk about the kinds of diversity we should expect to see in the local church, why gospel ministry should normally create diversity in the church, how diversity is a particularly effective witness to the gospel in our day and age, and how we can take steps to cultivate diversity in the local church.

8)Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

I am definitely not too humble to speculate.  I think every Reformed pastor in America has secretly gone over this in his head.  Every male is supposed to think he can take any guy in the room at any time, so I’ll go right after the Big Presbyterian.  He’d be the biggest challenge.  Why am I answering this question?

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

I have been so encouraged by the two previous T4G conferences.  My wife and I have served as ushers at the previous conferences just so that we could attend.  So I can’t wait to hear the speakers, fellowship with other pastors and leaders, join in the singing, and be reminded of the greatness of the gospel and the privilege of being in ministry.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

I think the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl this year.  Granted, I think that every year.  But this year, I’m really confident.

1) Where do you pastor?

I am the pastor of Guilford Baptist Church in Sterling, about a half hour outside of DC in Northern Virginia.  The church is 152 years old, but before I became the pastor the congregation had dwindled to just a couple of saints.  We brought a few people with us from Capitol Hill Baptist Church and began the work of revitalization in 2005.  Guilford’s congregation is now fairly diverse (about 35% of the members are foreign born internationals) and skews young.  We have started two Spanish-speaking churches and hope to start many more.

2) How did you come to Christ?

My family didn’t go to church regularly when I was a young child.  When I was about 10 years old my parents came to Christ and began taking my brother and me to a good, Bible-preaching church.  I heard the gospel in Sunday School and by God’s grace it seemed obviously right to me.  I was converted at some point in that process.

3) Describe your call to ministry.

Given the restraining orders that prevent me from cage-fighting for a living, there weren’t too many options open to me.  I discovered that I couldn’t adequately feed the family as a pharmaceutical clinical trial subject, so I took that as a kind of call to the ministry.  Also, when I was in college I began to feel both an increased love for the church and a strong desire to teach God’s Word to God’s people.  When Capitol Hill Baptist Church invited me to come plant a church from their congregation, I jumped at it.

4) Tell us about your family.

I fell in love with Karen when I was 19 years old and she was 17.  She was the only Christian girl I had ever met who could quote Screeching Weasel songs in the course of normal conversation.  When you find a girl like that, you don’t let her go.  I married her in 1997 and we have four sweet, hilarious, intense, little kids.  Kendall is our only daughter, she’s 7.  Knox is 5, Phineas is almost 4, and Ebenezer is 7 months old.

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies?

I love sports.  They haven’t invented a sport that I won’t play and/or watch on TV (full disclosure, I don’t consider soccer a “sport”… anything that encourages men with pony tails to flop dramatically is better categorized as “ballet”).  I love coaching our kids’ Little League teams, playing baseball in our yard, and taking the family to see MLB games.  I don’t particularly enjoy home construction, but I seem to spend a lot of time gutting and rebuilding our dilapidated house, so I guess that counts as a hobby.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X with Alex Haley.  It is a most moving, dramatic, and telling story of the soul of America.  Malcolm is one of the most complex and compelling figures in the last 100 years of American life.  He reminds us of the hate that hate can produce.

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G?

Gospel Unity: Maintaining the Gospel as the Main Thing.  The conference is Together for the Gospel.  What does the Bible have to say about this?  How does the Bible actually illustrate us being together for the sake of the gospel?  How do we reconcile important disagreements with our call for unity in the gospel?

8) Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

In his heydey RC was a most accomplished golfer.  I feel quite confident I could beat him now, but back in the day it may have been a different story.  Also, CJ and Thabiti think they can handle the rock a little bit.  But between you and me, I have seen them both and I would have no problem breaking them down and leaving them on the side of the road.

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

Ask me in about 6 months.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

Yes.  What course are we playing in Louisville?  When are our tee times?  Should I bring my own clubs?

Thanks, Tony, for your interview. Looking forward to hearing more at T4G.

1) Where do you pastor? I pastor East Point Church in East Point, GA.  It is a new church.  In many ways we are still testing the waters of congregational life.  East Point is located next to the airport in Atlanta.  And so, if you have ever flown into Atlanta (and who hasn’t?), you likely flew right over us.

2) How did you come to Christ? I grew up in the church and became a victim of what Michael Horton has called, “Christless Christianity”.  It was not until I was on my own, trying to survive a world that was not friendly to my efforts that I realized how many of my problems were the result of my own sin and how desperately I needed a Savior.  By God’s grace, my Christianity went from Christless to Christ himself.

3) Describe your call to ministry. When I came to saving faith in Christ, I desired nothing else except to know him and make him known.  I fell in love with the church and my call to preach naturally flowed from my desires to experience Christ and lead others to do the same.  In a real sense, God made sure I was restless and discontented with anything else.  I have not always been faithful to the call, but Christ has.

4) Tell us about your family. I am married to Adriane.  We have five children:  Anthony, Jr., Rachel, Sarah, Siera, and Ana.

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies? The family enjoys playing games, worshiping, and traveling (though the latter they enjoy far more than me).  I enjoy the sanctification that golf provides.  Lately my greatest pleasure has been watching my son progress in his game.  His goal is to beat me one day.  My goal is to be there when he does.

Part 2 coming soon…

Continuing on…

6) Favorite biography?

Iain Murray’s two volume biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  I devoured it during a Christmas break in college.  It confirmed my call to ministry, shaped my view of ministry, and inspired me for what gospel ministry could be like.

7) What will you be speaking on at T4G?

“Tis Mystery All, The Immortal Dies: Why the Gospel of Christ’s Suffering is More Glorious Because God Does Not Suffer.”

I try to answer three questions: 1) Why has the old heresy that God suffers (theopaschitism, patripassianism) become the new orthodoxy?  2) What are the reasons for still affirming the doctrine of God’s impassibility?  3) How does the view that God does not suffer help us in pastoral ministry and help to glorify God?

8) Which of the main T4G speakers could you “take to the mat” so to speak?

Hmm, this sounds like a dangerous question, but I’ll indulge.  MacArthur looks like he’s 45 and still plays football and R.C. looks pretty scrappy, so I’ll pass on both of them.  Thabiti is young and must be well-conditioned for doing ministry on the beach on the Cayman Islands.  No thanks.  And Piper is Piper.  I wouldn’t mess with him.  That leaves the original four T4Gers.  Lig looks impressive.  C.J. is known for his humility and encouragement, so I’m tempted to go with him, but I know for a fact his meekness does not go so far as athletics.  So I guess I’ll take either Mohler or Dever.  They both carried brief cases to school, as I understand it, and can talk faster than they can move (I’m hoping).  But on further thought, Al Mohler read like a thousand books last summer on war and soldiers and how to kill people and stuff.  So I’m going to leave him alone and go after Mark Dever.

9) Why are you excited about T4G?

Meeting up with old friends.  Making new friends.  Taking men from our church with me.  The bookstore (oh the bookstore!).  The signs around town that give the different pronunciations for Louisville.  The stores selling big hats for the Kentucky Derby.  The Louisville Slugger store.  Most of all, being challenged, edified, and inspired by the terrific teaching.

10) Anything else we should know or you’d like to say?

Three things: I detest vegetables, except corn on the cob (which I’m told hardly counts as a vegetable) and lima beans (go figure).  My second son was born in the hospital parking lot and I delivered him (with my wife doing all the hard work I might add).  I am extremely honored to have this opportunity to speak at T4G.

More interviews with the rest of the breakout session guys coming soon…

First up: Kevin DeYoung.

1) Where do you pastor?

I have the privilege of serving as Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan, literally right across the street from Michigan State University.  We are a medium sized congregation, around 400 on Sunday morning.  A fourth of those are undergraduates or grad students.  The congregation is fairly diverse (ethnically, culturally, politically, theologically), which makes for an exciting and challenging environment.  I love my church dearly and am grateful to be their pastor.

2) How did you come to Christ?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Christ.  My parents are both Christians and we went to church, well, religiously.  While in third grade I distinctly felt the Lord working in my life.  After talking with my parents, meeting with my pastor, reading through the Heidelberg Catechism, and going before the elders, I joined the church in the fourth grade.

3) Describe your call to ministry.

I thought about pastoral ministry from a young age.  My pastor told me one time that I would be his pulpit supply when I grew up.  I figured that meant I would stock the pulpit with tissues and pens before he preached.  As I grew up in the church I often did the short sermon for youth Sunday and liked doing the Bible lessons in Sunday school.  People were always telling me I should be a pastor.  In college I studied political science for my first two years and thought about going that route, but internally I was feeling a strong desire to preach and externally people in the church continued to urge me to go into mininstry.

4) Tell us about your family.

Trisha and I met at First Presbyterian Church in Ipswich, Massachussets.  She was a student at Gordon College and I was studing down the road at Gordon-Conwell (what a great idea to put a Christian college with too many girls right next to a seminary with too many guys).  We were married in January 2002.  We have four children, who bring unspeakable joy into our lives and also put the T in TULIP.  Ian was born in 2003, Jacob in 2005, Elizabeth in 2007, and Paul in 2009.

5) What are some of your favorite activities with your family or personal hobbies?

I like running (jogging is more accurate now).  I also enjoy getting out with our college students to play Ultimate Frisbee (though C.J. is adamant that Ultimate is a not a real sport).  I’m a pretty big sports nut.  Being born in Chicago, I’m a huge Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks fan (in that order).  Obviously I follow the Spartans too.  As a family we like relay races in the backyard, going to the park, and trying to survive each day.

We’ll run part 2 in the next week or so.  Don’t forget to register for the conference!

More tomorrow…

I tried to give a brief response to that during the panel discussion, but more could be said. I will say a few things about that here.

1. T4G is a biennial conference that grew out of a set of (now 8) Gospel friendships. Mark Dever, Al Mohler, C.J. Mahaney and I had all been friends for a number of years (Mark, Al and I have known one another since the 1980s, and Mark introduced Al and me to C.J.). Furthermore, Mark and C.J. had fraternal relationships with and deep appreciation for John Piper, Al had a close friendship with and profound respect for John MacArthur, and I had a good friendship with and had worked alongside R.C. Sproul – though all of us knew, appreciated and gladly worked with each of these brothers. Meanwhile, Thabiti Anyabwile was an elder at Mark’s church and now pastor in Grand Cayman. Mark introduced C.J. and me to him, and then to Al and John Piper. We all get together as often as we can. We so enjoy and spiritually profit from the rather unique fellowship we have (composed as it is of Calvinstic Baptists, Confessional Presbyterians, a Reformed Continuationist and a Reformed-Dispensational Independent who disagree about many things, but agree on many more and share a common concern for central Gospel issues), we thought that there might be a wider Gospel benefit in inviting others to join in on and in extending that friendship. From that root idea grew the T4G conferences.

1. The Gospel Coalition is a biennial conference that grew out of a collaboration that grew into a friendship between Don Carson and Tim Keller. Don was editing a book on worship in which Tim was participating and got to know Tim while visiting NY (having admired Tim’s ministry from afar for some time). The two of them started wondering how they could foster a “network of networks” that would be Gospel-driven, and robustly biblical and theological. They called together about 40 or so folks and began exploring how we could work together for the sake of the Gospel, and how this “network of networks” might speak prophetically to evangelicalism (and to the wider culture) from the center rather than from the margins of evangelicalism (as is so often done today), as well as resource and encourage church leaders, churches and families of churches.

more to follow . . .

Philip Schaff observed, with dismay, the popularity in America of self-educated theologians, unexposed to the traditions of the academy, who presumed to establish themselves as authorities in matters of religious truth. He lamented that “every theological vagabond and peddler may drive here his bungling trade, without passport of license, and sell his false ware at pleasure.”

E. Brooks Holifield, Theology in America: Christian Thought from the Age of the Puritans to the Civil War (Yale University Press, 2003). Quote is on page 17, in the introduction.

That statement, much to my surprise, has caused concern among some.  That a Baptist thinks infant baptism is wrong was no news to earlier generations of paedobaptists.  Today, it seems to be a surprise.  Now, the truth is out, all of these years, I have been cooperating with those I take to be sinners–Ligon Duncan, Peter Jensen, Phillip Jensen, Philip Ryken, J. I. Packer and many others too numerous to name–sinners specifically on this point of infant baptism.  I have been speaking with them at conferences, having them as friends, reading their books, learning from them and inviting them to preach in our congregation, even as I happily preach in theirs.  Indeed, several paedobaptist ministers even have articles in that same 9Marks e-journal.

Some may think that such a "wrong" should not be called a sin.  I understand a sin to be disobedience to God (regardless of intent).  When I read Numbers 15:29-30 and Hebrews 9:7 I certainly see that Scripture presents some sins as being deliberate, and others as being unintentional.  I certainly do not think my paedobaptist brethren are intentionally sinning in this.  In fact, they even think that they are obeying God so, short of them changing their understanding of the Bible's teaching on this, I can't expect any "repentance," because they lovingly but firmly disagree with the Baptist understanding of this.

Nevertheless, as I understand the words of Christ in Matt. 28:18-20 Christians are commanded to baptize and to be baptized, and the practice of infant baptism inhibits the obedience of what I take to be a quite straightforward command.  I understand explanations that have been given about the practice of infant baptism (Orthodox/Roman, Lutheran and Reformed) but am sincerely persuaded that none of them line up with God's own Word.  This does not cause me to doubt the sincerity of my reformed paedobaptist brethren, nor even their judgment in general.  It is simply that on this point they've got it wrong, and their error, involving as it does a requiring of something Scripture does not require (infant baptism), and the consequence of a denying of an action Scripture does require (believers baptism) is sinful (though unintentionally so).

I cannot do better than cite a Baptist minister from 150 years ago who made a similar point–J. L. Reynolds:  "On the subject of infant baptism, and what seems to me to be its legitimate tendencies, I have recorded my sentiments without reserve, and, I trust, without offence.  I impeach no man's motives; nor do I question the piety and sincerity of those of my Christian brethren who believe that the practice is sanctioned by divine command.  Many pedobaptists are among the lights and ornaments of the age; their ministry has been blessed of God to the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, and their Churches present numerous examples of pure and unaffected piety.  Such men would not, knowingly, contravene the law of Christ.  They would welcome the obloquy of the world, and even the agonies of martyrdom, in obedience to the command of their Lord and King, and rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake.  It is impossible not to admire and love men whose faith and practice associate them with Baxter, Leighton, Edwards, and Martyn, and who breathe their heavenly spirit.  While I think I see and regret their errors, I would extend to them the same indulgence which I ask for my own," (Dever, ed., Polity, p. 328).

Of course, my paedobaptist brethren may very well think that I am in sin in withholding from children the sign of God's gracious covenant.  I understand and regret the disagreement, but am well used to it by this point, and look forward to heaven, where all our disagreements will be composed.  Until that time, I intend to encourage ministers to be Together for the Gospel as much as we can, working together in the extension of the Gospel in our own towns and cities, and around the world.  I see no inconsistency in working with others who hold precious the same Gospel, regardless of what other disagreements we may have.

Nevertheless, I can see R.C. and Thabiti having opinions. Although Thabiti's N.C. State has fallen on hard times. The following is an exchange between C.J., Michael Lawrence (Associate Pastor with Mark Dever at Capitol Hill Baptist Church) and yours truly. It will perhaps give you a feel for the kind of banter in which we sometimes engage, and maybe even some moments of light mirth in the midst your heavy ministerial duties. Read, email-style, from the bottom up!

More on the Gospel Course coming soon, btw.

From:Michael Lawrence
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 12:52 PM
To: CJ Mahaney
Cc: Ligon Duncan
Subject: Re: Duke

C.J.

I think what you're proving is that there is an inverse relationship between a team's ability on the court and its fans' abilities to talk trash. In which case, I'm not only happy to concede defeat, but even happier that you have claimed victory!

Michael Lawrence

—– Original Message —–
From: CJ Mahaney
To: Michael Lawrence
Cc: Lig Duncan
Sent: Fri Feb 06 12:29:35 2009
Subject: Re: Duke

Michael

My friend you are on the ropes and I can send you to the canvas anytime I desire.

C.J.

—– Original Message —–

From:CJ Mahaney
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 12:28 AM
To: Michael Lawrence
Cc: Ligon Duncan
Subject: Re: Duke

Actually it was a brilliant move you didn't see coming!

—– Original Message —–
From: Michael Lawrence
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 12:26 PM
To: Ligon Duncan; CJ Mahaney
Subject: RE: Duke

C.J.

To pull out the humility card in the midst of trash talking is surely the equivalent of an intentional foul!
       
Michael

—– Original Message —–
From: CJ Mahaney
To: Ligon Duncan
Cc: Michael Lawrence
Sent: Fri Feb 06 11:48:38 2009
Subject: Re: Duke
    
Humbly said Lig!

C.J.

—– Original Message —–

From: Ligon Duncan
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 10:40 AM
To: CJ Mahaney; Michael Lawrence
Subject: RE: Duke

Michael:

Well, at least you can’t accuse me of pulling for a winner!

Lig

________________________________
From: Michael Lawrence
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 10:25 AM
To: Ligon Duncan; CJ Mahaney
Subject: RE: Duke
      
A Clemson fan holds the pulpit at First Presbyterian? Say it isn’t so!

Michael

—– Original Message —–

From:Michael Lawrence
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 9:26 AM
To: CJ Mahaney; Ligon Duncan
Subject: RE: Duke

But, as you say, WE have a very good team. More to the point, WE have a team, WE have a coach, and WE will be invited to the NCAA tourney. YOU on the other hand, have a turtle for a mascot and that’s about it (though honestly, you might do better if you let the turtle do the recruiting and coaching from here forward).

Michael Lawrence

—– Original Message —–

From:CJ Mahaney
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 8:28 AM
To: Ligon Duncan; Michael Lawrence
Subject: RE: Duke

Lig,

Thank you for recognizing where I am indeed gifted. I grew up barbecuing smart guys like Michael. Actually it seems to me the smarter they are the easier it is to do this. And it’s certainly more fun.

Your friend,

C.J.

—– Original Message —–

From: Ligon Duncan
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 8:23 AM
To: CJ Mahaney; Michael Lawrence
Subject: RE: Duke

Brilliant C.J. I wondered how you’d handle that amazingly deft and clever and typically Dukie snappy comeback from Michael. But you did it. You just side-stepped it. Ignored it. Superb. Just superb.
  
And then you forced him to (once again) wallow in the unmitigated shame and humiliation of a crushing loss (yay, blowout) to the lowly Tigers. You are the master!
  
Truly the first shall be last, eh?
       
Lig

________________________________
From: CJ Mahaney
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 8:15 AM
To: Michael Lawrence
Cc: Ligon Duncan
Subject: RE: Duke
    
Yep, there is no spin one can put on the Clemson game! Your boys were flat beat up the entire game. It was further evidence you have a very good team but not a great one.
   
Hey, where is my sermon evaluation! I will pay cash for this!
       
Your friend,
       
C.J.       
____________________________

From: Michael Lawrence
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 7:35 AM
To: CJ Mahaney; Mark Dever
Cc: Lig Duncan
Subject: Re: Duke
    
CJ,
              
I admit, I am still recovering from the shame of it all. Losing to Wake by 2 in the last 8 seconds was respectable, if disappointing. Losing to Clemson by 27 and being behind most of the game was embarrassing.  If I were a

Maryland

fan, I would probably have words to describe the feeling, it being so familiar. As a Duke fan though, I'm left speechless.
              
Your chastened brother,
Michael Lawrence
Associate Pastor
CHBC

—– Original Message —–
From: CJ Mahaney
To: Mark Dever; Michael Lawrence
Cc: Ligon Duncan
Sent: Fri Feb 06 06:10:51 2009
Subject: Duke
              
Mark and Michael,
              
I knew I would hear from you boys when

Md.

lost by 41 to Duke.
              
I didn’t think I’d hear from you boys when Duke lost by 27 to Clemson.
              
C.J. 

A few thoughts on that, here.

Pray -

1. That [your pastor] would know and love the living God, would have a saving interest in Christ, being purchased by His blood, and thus would be bound to the Lord by the indissoluble bond of the Holy Spirit.

2. That [your pastor] would know, embrace and ever more deeply understand the Gospel and be shaped by it in life and ministry.

3. That [your pastor] would be useful servant of the Lord, that he would know and love God's word, God's people, and God's kingdom; that he would be used to build it up and so that it prevails even against Hell's gates.

4. That [your pastor] would study, practice and teach the Word of the Lord, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

5. That [your pastor] would love to pray, because he loves to commune with his God, and that he would be a man of prayer, characteristically.

6. That [your pastor] would be ever dependent upon and filled with the Spirit; and that he would possess true Spiritual wisdom.

7. That [your pastor] would be holy unto the Lord. That his tongue and heart would be wholly God's.

8. That [your pastor] would be kept from pride, and especially spiritual pride. That the Lord himself would be gracious to slay pride in him, and that your pastor would endeavor to always be putting pride to death, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

9. That God would give [your pastor] guidance as to where to focus his efforts in ministry.

10. That He would protect [your pastor] from himself, from the enemy of his soul, and from all earthly enemies.

11. That no decision which [your pastor] ever makes or desire that [your pastor] ever pursues would restrict his ability to pour his whole soul into the Gospel ministry.

12.That many would be converted and many built up under [your pastor]'s ministry, to God's glory alone.

13. That the Lord would bless [your pastor]'s wife, [. . . ], with holiness and happiness, Gospel assurance and Gospel rest.

14. That God would make [your pastor] a decent husband and father.

15. That [your pastor] would be a good friend to his wife, and love her self-sacrificially,

16. That [your pastor] would be a good daddy to his children. That they would love God, their parents and the church.

17. That [your pastor] would be a testimony in the home so that his wife might be able to respect him when he is in the pulpit, and so that [your pastor] will be able to feed her soul, along with the rest of the congregation.

On January 1, 1937, J. Gresham Machen, founder of Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia, and formidable defender of biblical Christianity, died in the hospital, having developed pneumonia while preaching in the cold of December in North Dakota. His famous last telegram to his dear friend and colleague John Murray: "Thank God for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it."

"He who elevates himself is constantly engaged in wrecking his own life. But he who is sincerely humble finds richness of life and happiness." Reminded me of C.J. when I read it. The full quote is here.

And I especially like this part of the quote about Elizabeth, which also embodies C.J.'s person and preaching: "her humble attitude opened for her the gates to true, deep and jubilant joy."

And this point certainly applies to our articulation of the Bible’s doctrine of the church, in light of current fads and practices and methods being deployed in evangelicalism. That’s one reason why my favorite Pyro Po-motivator Poster is the one that says: "Ecclesiology: Who Cares Whether We Know How It’s Supposed to Work? We’re Going to Take a Crack at Fixing It."

By the way, I may keep running this title line "Shrewdness from the Sons of this World" when I point to wisdom from unbelievers (ala Luke 16:8) here in a post. For indeed, the sons of this world often have more saavy in dealing with their own than do the sons of light.

1. Fear – of rejection, of offending 2. Ignorance – don’t know what to say, don’t know how to say it 3. Inexperience – haven’t seen it done, haven’t done it 4. Attitude – that’s just not me, leave it to the experts 5. Lack of true love – we don’t really care about the lost and their eternal destiny

In response, Mark suggests that we do twelve things:

(1) Pray – for a desire to witness to Christ, and for the opportunities. (2) Plan – to witness (who, when, how). (3) Accept - you are a witness. (4) Understand – how God uses his witnesses. (5) Be Faithful – be more concerned to be faithful to God, than for people to like you. (6) Risk – something! – invite to a meeting; share a book; befriend someone. (7) Prepare – that’s what this course is all about. (8) Look – keep your eyes open for God’s opportunities. (9) Love - cultivate a genuine love for lost people. (10) Fear – God, rather than man. (11) Stop – and realize the logic of sovereignty – "God is sovereign, therefore I’m responsible." (12) Consider – the greatness of his love to you.

Get the book here. Or read it online, here.

We will be most effective in bearing witness to Christ if we cultivate: (1) a joyful fear of God; (2) a biblical knowledge of who we are in Christ and what the Gospel is; (3) fellowship with people who have a passion for the Gospel, and for showing and telling it; (4) a proper attitude toward the task – not a drudging "I have to share the Gospel" but a joyous "I get to be a part of God’s work of salvation;" (5) a genuine Gospel love for the lost, because of God’s Gospel love for us.

Thanks P.J. Yes, I fully agree. J.I. Packer discusses this very issue (in a typically helpful manner) in his chapter "Puritan Evangelism" in A Quest for Godliness (page 291). My definition of evangelism in The Gospel Course, is swiped from him.

Here it is again. "Evangelism is – To bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that [1] people may come to put their trust in God, through Christ; [2] to acknowledge Him as their Savior; and [3] to serve Him as their King, [4] in the fellowship of His Church."

The Anglican document Packer quoted (dating from 1918) put it this way: "so to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to put their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Saviour, and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His Church." Packer says this is a good definition "with one word changed (‘may’ for ‘shall’, so that evangelism is defined in terms of purpose rather than results)."

So, he’s making the same point that P.J. makes, and I concur heartily with both Dr. Packer and P.J. My "so that" in the definition is deliberately included to indicate our purpose, not the invariable result of faithful evangelism.

Evangelism is – To bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that [1] people may come to put their trust in God, through Christ; [2] to acknowledge Him as their Savior; and [3] to serve Him as their King, [4] in the fellowship of His Church.

That definition of evangelism helps us in at least six ways. First, it makes clear that evangelism is about pointing people to the objective reality of the person of Jesus Christ, his claims and his work. Evangelism is first and foremost about telling his story, not our story. Second, it makes clear that we are utterly powerless to bring about the conversion, the transformed life, that we long to see in the lives of those with whom we share the truth of the marvelous grace of our loving Lord. No, for that result, we are entirely (and deliberately) dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit. Only he can raise the dead and give new life. Third, this definition of evangelism expects the response of genuine faith, saving trust, receiving and resting on Christ alone for salvation as he is offered in the Gospel – in all who are awakened to new life. Fourth, it reminds us of the uniqueness of Christ. He is the only savior, and so, for salvation, people must put their trust in him and in him alone. Fifth, embracing Christ as Lord and King is a sine qua non for every true convert and disciple. Just as their is no such thing as justification without sanctification, so also there is no embracing Jesus as savior without embracing him as master. He is, after all, the Lord Jesus Messiah. Sixth, to be a disciple of Jesus means to be a part of his people and to be nurtured and to serve in the midst of the assembly of the saints. When we are united to him, we are united to his people. We cannot be united to him and indifferent to his people, or deliberately detached from them.

We also spent several weeks considering and elaborating on the question: What is the Gospel?

Here’s one thing we observed. "The Gospel, the  euangelion, ‘the joyful tidings’, ‘the good news’, (has an OT background in Is. 40–66, where the verb euangelizomai, ‘bring good news’, is used in the LXX) of God the Father’s costly and loving bestowal of saving mercy on the undeserving and rebellious, through the death of his Son, it is thus a gift of grace alone, the need for which salvation is manifested in repentance and received by faith." This reminded us that the Gospel is a message. I love what Tim Keller (following Martyn Lloyd-Jones) says. The Gospel is good news, not good advice. It is about what God has done, not what we need to do to help ourselves. This also means that the Gospel has to be spoken, proclaimed. When people say: "Preach the Gospel daily – Use words if necessary," Tim provocatively but rightly says: they may not understand the Gospel. The Gospel must be shared with words. It is a message. We can’t tell it with our deeds (though our lives must reveal it effects). There is no such thing as wordless evangelism.

We also observed that in the book of Acts, the basic elements of the Gospel message in the preaching of the Apostles (to both the Jews and Gentiles) are: 1. the prophecies have been fulfilled and the new age inaugurated by the coming of Christ; 2. he was born into the family of David; 3. he died according to the Scriptures, to deliver his people from this evil age; 4. he was buried, and raised again the third day, according to the Scriptures; 5. he is exalted at God’s right hand as Son of God, Lord of living and dead; 6. he will come again to judge the world and consummate his saving work.

We listened to John Piper tell us how, 1. The Gospel is a plan, 2. The Gospel is an event, 3. The Gospel is an achievement (through that event), 4. The Gospel is freely offered, 5. The Gospel is applied, 6. The Gospel brings us to God as our treasure, and 7. The Gospel has one hope. [Okay, okay, I added the seventh point, because of the eschatological focus and context of the Christian life].

We’ll continue on this theme in the next post.

By that I mean: [1] that your whole congregation would be able to articulate the Gospel, personally, in a compelling and understandable way; [2] that your whole congregation would understand the importance and necessity of their lives, their prayers and their participation in Gospel witness; [3] that your whole congregation would deeply care about conversions (and I would lay stress here, that we are talking about real conversions, not numbers; disciples, not decisions; changed lives, not merely prayed prayers); [4] that your whole congregation would earnestly and regularly pray for conversions, talks about their own conversions and the conversions of others, and put a priority on people coming to know God; and [5] that your whole congregation would be excited about the Gospel itself, and not simply about a method of sharing the Gospel, or a training program.

To this end in my own congregation, it was my joy this last autumn to spend thirteen weeks of Wednesday nights, meeting with about 115 of our members, in what we called "The Gospel Course." The aim of our study in the Gospel Course was (among other things), to provide participants with: (1) a fuller understanding of the Gospel; (2) an opportunity to hone and articulate their Christian testimony; (3) an opportunity to be instructed in, observe and engage in Gospel conversations; (4) a simple, biblical, outline of the Gospel; (5) encouragements and helps to share (or more effectively share) the Gospel; (6) an opportunity to help better the evangelism equipping of our congregation; (7) the opportunity to see how all pastors of the church are involved in gospel witness; and (8) encouragement and instruction on how to engage others in the church in this Gospel culture.

Our assigned reading was: The Bible; Mark Dever’s The Gospel and Personal Evangelism and Thabiti Anyabwile’s What is a Healthy Church Member?

I plan to share, here, over the next several weeks some of the material we prepared and presented in that setting. I hope it will prove helpful to you. I solicit your comments, criticisms, suggestions and questions. And feel free to use and improve the material as you see fit (but if you do improve it, please share it back with me!).

And, by the way Tim, how did you find out?

For those of you interested, Tim Challies has a good roundup of T4G resources here. The Christian Post weighed in on T4G here. Collin Hansen (Christianity Today) has offered his account here. Ken Sande (Peacemaker Ministries) gives his take here. And Marshall Shelley (Leadership) submits his mostly positive assessment here.

I plan to walk through a review of T4G here on the blog over the next few days (and maybe weeks) and share some things I learned, and comment upon some particularly meaningful points of edification of which I was a beneficiary.

Now, we’re here again.  And more have joined us.  (And, we’re glad to say, in a larger space!)  Much will be the same, but there will be a few new things.  Not least among those is a GREATLY expanded bookstore, which we’re sure pastors will appreciate.

Pray for us as we finish preparing our messages.  And thank God for the hundreds of volunteers who got here at their own expense yesterday morning in order to do set up for the bookstore, prepare registration today, and do other things to enable us to meet together in a way that we hope to you   will just seem natural and effortless.  OK, almost effortless.  I guess you did have to get to Louisville!  If you can find a volunteer at Registration, the bookstore or elsewhere to thank, thank them, too!

Again, on behalf of Ligon, CJ & Al, welcome to Louisville.  We look forward to once again being together for the Gospel!

In his answer to the question, "Piper is going to talk about radical Christian Sacrifice. Provide a true example of radical Christian sacrifice.”

Brian wrote:

“My friend’s mom used to cry when she returned to college after visiting home. As her daughter became more intent on pursuing missions in a Muslim country, it was not easy for the mom. But she grew to see the need for such work. After 9/11 she said to her daughter, ‘You need to hurry up and get back over there. They need you.’ She sacrificed much by encouraging her daughter – now married and carrying baby #3 – to remain on the mission field. For many, sending your kids can be a bigger sacrifice than going yourself.”

Registration closes this coming SUNDAY NIGHT.

We have to have time to finalize plans for all kinds of stuff. So if you have friends who want to come, we’re in the Convention Center (it’s gigantic) but we’ll have to close registration to work on the specific preparations. Praise God for all the planning coming together. Bob and I have even agreed on all the hymns! (He’s been a joy to work with.) Pray for the speakers as they work on their talks. I don’t like mine right now. And pray for all who are planning to come, that God would bless His work and encourage His ministers.

www.t4g.org/promo

In the meantime, a free T4G registration goes to the first entry which came in, simply because (whether or not we use it) it satisfies the criteria of all good titles–it’s both creative and concise:  Sound Systems or Sound Doctrine? Subtitle: "The triumph of truth over technique."

That answer comes from Larry Knowles of Vernon, Vermont. Congratulations, Larry!

AS FOR Question NUMBER 8, it’s extremely tempting for me to select the brave brother who nominated the Baptist Hymnal as the "most read book" (aside from the Bible) among the T4G 08 attendees. But I decided to base my decision on statistics. Out of 59 answers provided, several went to John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress; several to John Stott’s Cross of Christ; a couple to C. S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity; and several to CJ’s books. Ten votes were placed for J. I. Packer’s Knowing God. But a whopping TWENTY went to John Piper’s Desiring God. If over one-third of the answers went to Desiring God, it’s not unreasonable to think that it may be the most read book among T4G attendees.

So the question becomes, which of the twenty nominees shall we credit with the best answer? Whether it’s the best or not, we’re going with Andy Naselli’s short and sweet proposal. Naselli, who lives in Deerfield, Illinois, writes, "This richly theological and warmly devotional best-seller has been the means for sending countless Christians on a trajectory towards theology that is increasingly joyful, robust, God-centered, Christ-exalting, and gospel-treasuring." The only thing missing from Naselli’s answer is the additional descriptive "hyphen-making"!

Thanks to everyone for their answers.  And be praying for the conference, and particularly the speakers as we (I!!!!) work on our addresses.

Piper is going to talk about radical Christian Sacrifice. Provide a true example of radical Christian sacrifice.

Contest rules:

1. Post your answer in the "comments" section.
2. Your answer must be accompanied with a working email address.
3. Each question will remain open for 24 hours.
4. The winner’s name and answer will be posted sometime afterwards.
5. Winner receives free registration for him/herself or a friend.
6. Responses must be in 100 words or less.

What Christian book (other than the Bible) do you think has been read by the most people attending T4G 2008, and why?

Contest rules:

1. Post your answer in the "comments" section.
2. Your answer must be accompanied with a working email address.
3. Each question will remain open for 24 hours.
4. The winner’s name and answer will be posted sometime afterwards.
5. Winner receives free registration for him/herself or a friend.
6. Responses must be in 100 words or less.

  PS–TELL YOUR FRIENDS–Registration closes soon.

The question was answering the question of Al’s T4G address "Why Do They Hate It So?"–substitutionary atonement.

Steven’s answer is:

Substitution is offensive because it means:

1. I am guilty (actual, real guilt—whether I feel it or not)
2. I am accountable for who I am and for my actions
3. I am unable to do it myself
4. I am a sinner, not sick or not meeting my potential
5. It means I am guilty of Adam’s sin—federal headship
6. My sin was so offensive to God, it took the death of His Son to pay for it
7. God has not regenerated them
8. Salvation is all of grace
9. God executes judgment for sin

We look forward to Al’s answer at the conference.  Pray for our brother as he prepares to address us.

Instead of giving you the usual 24 hours, you have all weekend on this one. We’ll cut it off sometime on Monday. What do you got?!

Here’s the rest of the rules:

1. Post your answer in the "comments" section.
2. Your answer must be accompanied with a working email address.
3. Winner receives free registration for him/herself or a friend.
4. Responses must be in 100 words or less.

But Mark, some of my PCA colleagues would say that I already am!

Your friend,

Lig