Friday, October 22, 2010
The True Size of Africa
This is amazing. Guess I missed this in geography class: true size of Africa.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What should change about seminary ...
i liked these thoughts from Richard Pratt, when asked what should change about seminaries these days ...
"If I were king and could wave my magical scepter, I would radically change the basic agenda of seminary.
After 22 years of teaching in a seminary, I slowly began to realize something. We were not preparing the kinds of leaders that evangelical churches in North America need. Let’s face it; evangelicalism has seen better days. God is at work in many places and in many ways, but on the whole, the news is not good. Our numbers are dwindling; our theology is unraveling; our zeal for Christ is dissipating. Now more than ever, we need seminaries to give the church leaders who are empowered by the Spirit for radical, sacrificial devotion to Christ and his kingdom. And they’d better do it quickly.
I was recently in China, talking with the president of a house church network of more than 1 million people. He asked me for advice on preparing the next generation of pastors. I looked at him and said, “The only thing I know is what you should not do.” He smiled and asked, “What’s that?” My reply surprised him. “You should not do what we have done in the West. The results of that approach have become clear.”
The agenda of evangelical seminaries is set primarily by scholars. Professors decide how students will spend their time; they determine students’ priorities; they set the pace. And guess what. Scholars’ agenda seldom match the needs of the church.
Can you imagine what kind of soldiers our nation would have if basic training amounted to reading books, listening to lectures, writing papers, and taking exams? We’d have dead soldiers. The first time a bullet wizzed past their heads on the battlefield, they’d panic. The first explosion they saw would send them running. So, what is basic training for the military? Recruits learn the information they need to know, but this is a relatively small part of their preparation. Most of basic training is devoted to supervised battle simulation. Recruits are put through harrowing emotional and physical stress. They crawl under live bullet fire. They practice hand to hand combat.
If I could wave a magic scepter and change seminary today, I’d turn it into a grueling physical and spiritual experience. I’d find ways to reach academic goals more quickly and effectively and then devote most of the curriculum to supervised battle simulation. I’d put students through endless hours of hands-on service to the sick and dying, physically dangerous evangelism, frequent preaching and teaching the Scriptures, and days on end of fasting and prayer. Seminary would either make them or break them.
Do you know what would happen? Very few young men would want to attend. Only those who had been called by God would subject themselves to this kind of seminary. Yet they would be recruits for kingdom service, not mere students. They would be ready for the battle of gospel ministry."
Richard Pratt, founder and president, Third Millennium Ministries; former chair of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary:
"If I were king and could wave my magical scepter, I would radically change the basic agenda of seminary.
After 22 years of teaching in a seminary, I slowly began to realize something. We were not preparing the kinds of leaders that evangelical churches in North America need. Let’s face it; evangelicalism has seen better days. God is at work in many places and in many ways, but on the whole, the news is not good. Our numbers are dwindling; our theology is unraveling; our zeal for Christ is dissipating. Now more than ever, we need seminaries to give the church leaders who are empowered by the Spirit for radical, sacrificial devotion to Christ and his kingdom. And they’d better do it quickly.
I was recently in China, talking with the president of a house church network of more than 1 million people. He asked me for advice on preparing the next generation of pastors. I looked at him and said, “The only thing I know is what you should not do.” He smiled and asked, “What’s that?” My reply surprised him. “You should not do what we have done in the West. The results of that approach have become clear.”
The agenda of evangelical seminaries is set primarily by scholars. Professors decide how students will spend their time; they determine students’ priorities; they set the pace. And guess what. Scholars’ agenda seldom match the needs of the church.
Can you imagine what kind of soldiers our nation would have if basic training amounted to reading books, listening to lectures, writing papers, and taking exams? We’d have dead soldiers. The first time a bullet wizzed past their heads on the battlefield, they’d panic. The first explosion they saw would send them running. So, what is basic training for the military? Recruits learn the information they need to know, but this is a relatively small part of their preparation. Most of basic training is devoted to supervised battle simulation. Recruits are put through harrowing emotional and physical stress. They crawl under live bullet fire. They practice hand to hand combat.
If I could wave a magic scepter and change seminary today, I’d turn it into a grueling physical and spiritual experience. I’d find ways to reach academic goals more quickly and effectively and then devote most of the curriculum to supervised battle simulation. I’d put students through endless hours of hands-on service to the sick and dying, physically dangerous evangelism, frequent preaching and teaching the Scriptures, and days on end of fasting and prayer. Seminary would either make them or break them.
Do you know what would happen? Very few young men would want to attend. Only those who had been called by God would subject themselves to this kind of seminary. Yet they would be recruits for kingdom service, not mere students. They would be ready for the battle of gospel ministry."
Richard Pratt, founder and president, Third Millennium Ministries; former chair of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary:
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Friday, August 28, 2009
Increasing Traffic
I just checked Google Analytics which is a nerdy way of saying that I looked to see how many people have visited my blog site recently. It is not surprising that there weren't very many, as I have recently chosen the simplicity of posting via Twitter - 140 characters seems to suit me better than unlimited space to ramble incessantly. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that 13 people have visited my site in the last month. Even though I haven't written anything in it for the past 6 months! I like the thought that thirteen people or maybe even just one stalker checks back often to see if I have anything new to say. I don't, except this:
I'm sitting in the library listening to an older gentlemen explaining to other older people about websites. I think he's trying to sell them some sort of website building service. But he doesn't seem very knowledgeable - more like an Amway salesman - telling them they'll have more money for charitable giving if they can make more money (mmmmm...). He's talking really loud, so I don't think it is eavesdropping. I'm going to walk by and nonchalantly look into the room (I guess I just crossed the line into eavesdropping) ... Okay, he's trying to sell his services to a Chinese couple, that don't speak fluent English. That annoys me.
On another note, it is raining really hard right now and Quad Bash (on campus at Ball State) starts in an hour.
This is just for you people couple of people who have been hoping I would post something for the last 6 months. Google Analytics tells me that you're American ... Stalk me, I'll stalk you.
I'm sitting in the library listening to an older gentlemen explaining to other older people about websites. I think he's trying to sell them some sort of website building service. But he doesn't seem very knowledgeable - more like an Amway salesman - telling them they'll have more money for charitable giving if they can make more money (mmmmm...). He's talking really loud, so I don't think it is eavesdropping. I'm going to walk by and nonchalantly look into the room (I guess I just crossed the line into eavesdropping) ... Okay, he's trying to sell his services to a Chinese couple, that don't speak fluent English. That annoys me.
On another note, it is raining really hard right now and Quad Bash (on campus at Ball State) starts in an hour.
This is just for you people couple of people who have been hoping I would post something for the last 6 months. Google Analytics tells me that you're American ... Stalk me, I'll stalk you.
Hello World
It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog. During my half-year haitus, I have discovered many new and interesting things. Here is one recent example. The title on the blog where I found this said: "If I become Lutheran, Anglican or Catholic, it will be because I watched this too many times." Me too.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Sickness Reigns
Well, I don't think you really want any pictures of this past week. Neil was out of town for the annual pastor's conference and of course I tried to rise to the occasion and act like it really doesn't matter that he's not around. :) I managed OK until my emotional meltdown on Wednesday morning because I couldn't find something. Well, on Thursday I awoke feeling a little strange. I was nauseated just cooking the kids bacon for breakfast - it was ISTEP week so I was doing the dutiful mother thing of a good breakfast before testing. Anyway, with Neil being out of town and Colbey's school time changed because of a field trip, I went from working out 6 days last week to none so far this week. I was determined to make it to this class on Thursday morning. I go. I make it thru, barely. I feel worse and worse as the day wears on. By the time Neil returns home from his conference at about 2:30 pm, I am crying and in bed because I ache so badly. I take some medicine and a nap and wake up feeling I can somewhat conquer this especially since I have back up. By 9 pm I am in extreme pain again, crying and feeling bad that I can't help comfort my son, Wesley, who is now vomiting. I take more medicine, cry as I explain my pain to Neil and settle in to watch Lost. I feel much better Friday morning but not complete. By Saturday Wesley and I are both feeling better and I'm ready to get out of the house. We have a nice day, go to the museum, mow the grass, go watch the Bulls/Celtics game at a friends and head to bed. Today, Sunday, was pretty typical. Now, Sunday night, Wesley has awoken and is having diarrhea. I'm a little frustrated. I'm suppose to have my regular babysitting job tomorrow (the Pittman girls) and 2 extras (the Garrison boys). Now I will most likely be making phone calls at 7 am to warn them of the illness level in our house. So, sickness has reigned - and I hope for not much longer. You can feel free to say a little prayer for us. And especially me who does not like my routine or plans to be boggled up with these sort of normal interruptions. :) PS I don't think I mentioned that it all started with Colbey last Sunday. Of course, he acted so "normal" in between his bouts of sickness that I sent him to school all week. Please don't crucify me. It's my nature to keep plugging away and make others around me do the same. I pray he didn't infect anyone with whom he came in contact - thus the much more cautious approach with Wesley. :)
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