Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministry Is Not For Wimps

"A question was submitted for the 2019 G3 Conference questions & answers session that asked the following question:  “I’m a young man who is preparing for pastoral ministry in the local church. As a seminary student, what counsel would you give to me as I prepare for the future?”

In the fall of the year just before we would move to Louisville to attend seminary the following January, my wife and I made an agreement that we would not purchase Christmas presents for each other and we would save money for the upcoming move. Without my knowledge, she wrote to several preachers asking for them to write a letter to me in order to provide wisdom for me as I prepared to move away to attend seminary. She compiled each of those letters in a nice binder and provided it to me as a gift that Christmas. I still look through it to this very day as it sits on the shelf in my study. One letter stands out to me as it states the following:

My word to you is to always remember that you are merely a vessel and He is the Treasure. Just a river bed for the river to flow. Any demands God makes on you is not on your ability but on the Christ who promised to be your sufficiency for the journey. Remember that any old bush will do if God set it on fire for His glory. May the Holy Spirit give you enough problems to keep you trusting, enough hurts to keep you broken, and enough victories to keep you praising Him. Only God can take nothing and indwell him so he can be more than a conqueror.

True and False Humility When Handling the Scriptures

"Hermeneutics is a big word. You may be unfamiliar with it, but it’s a necessary part of all Bible study.  Hermeneutics is the science of interpreting what an author has written. For Christians, it means following the appropriate rules for interpreting Scripture. And although the word “hermeneutics” doesn’t appear in the Bible, its practice is clearly described: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

In that verse, the apostle Paul provides the what and why of hermeneutics—accurate handling of God’s sacred Word. Right interpretation of what God has spoken to us means that we can rightly apply it to our lives, and rightly proclaim it to others. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33, KJV) and He doesn’t present us with a smorgasbord of doctrinal options. If God wrote it, then all that matters is what Hemeans by what He says, not what I think or want it to mean.

But today, in a culture dominated by subjectivity, an objective, authoritative truth has no place. That’s true even in the church, where, in the early days of the twenty-first century, postmodern theologians gained a significant voice. They called themselves the Emerging church, and argued, in effect, that certainty is overrated. Instead, they invented their own approach to hermeneutics.

Tony Jones, an early leader in the Emerging church, called it the “hermeneutic of humility.” The idea was to interpret God’s Word but stop short of coming to any definitive conclusions that would exclude alternative interpretations. It identified as “humble” what other eras of church history knew as confusion or unbelief.

Dereliction of Duty: the Preacher Who Dodges Unpopular Biblical Texts

Dereliction of duty- Definition: "The shameful failure to fulfill one's obligations."

Many pastors today should step down from ministry altogether because they clearly love the applause of men (Gal. 1:10) more than they value the approval of Almighty God. No where is this seen more clearly today then in evangelical pulpits.

God's expectations could not be anymore clear on this matter: "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.  But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

The goal of Christian ministry is to lead souls to Christ AND to then teach and preach in such a way as to present every believer "mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28-29; Hebrews 5:12-14; Matthew 28:18-20).  Being a Word-driven preacher and a Christ-centered congregation is not rocket science.  Faithful Christian ministry requires demands hard work (Col. 1:29) and faith; (trust and obey).  

The state of Christian living in America today is what it is, in part, because far too many Church leaders are more interested in attracting large masses of people then they are in "building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-16).  Pastor Kevin DeYoung is spot on when he says, "The preacher who dodges or changes a text because he knows there are men and women out there who don't want to hear it.  That man ought not to be a preacher."

The Role of The Holy Spirit in Biblical Interpretation

The role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation is something that is often mentioned in hermeneutics (biblical interpretation) and exegesis (deriving the meaning of the text) books, but little discussion is devoted to explaining what that role is, where the Bible teaches it, and how we know when it occurs. After much reading on the subject and a study of related passages of Scripture it is my contention that the Spirit has a multifaceted role in the life of the believer as he interprets Scripture.

The Spirit’s work in the interpreter is necessary because of the depravity of man. Due to the effects of sin a natural man, the unbeliever, “does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor 2:14). This means that the unbeliever does not see the word of God as wisdom, but rather foolishness. Therefore he rejects it. While he does have a level of cognitive awareness of the signification of the words, He cannot understand in the sense of experientially knowing it as truth in a relationship with God. This is due the fact that it is spiritually discerned. The unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1) and consequently has a futile, darkened, ignorant mind, and a hard heart that makes him callous to spiritual things (Eph 4:17-19). He is hostile to God and cannot bring himself under the Scriptures as his authority (Rom 8:7-8).

Am I Rightly Dividing the Word of God? (pt. 2)

So the Scripture is the beginning, middle, and end of the church. For that reason, we hold to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Sola Scriptura means Scripture alone is authoritative for faith and practice. Scripture alone determines if your ministry is effective or not.  

DO YOUR HERMENEUTICS HOLD TO SOLA SCRIPTURA?  Are you rightly dividing the Word of truth in your personal bible study or when you share your convictions at a men's or ladies' bible study?  When you quote the Bible on social media are you accurately reflecting what God's Word has to say about such and such an issue?

One needs to consider three questions before arriving at a personal verdict (2 Tim. 2:15; James 3).  1) Have I done the hard work?  2) Am I trying to use biblical interpretation fine print?  3) Do I have a hermeneutic of surrender?

"Our commitment to Sola Scriptura leads to a commitment to hermeneutics—how we study the Bible. Hermeneutics matters because it determines whether we truly hold to Sola Scriptura or not. Here are three questions to help you determine if your hermeneutics hold to Sola Scriptura:

Do I have a hermeneutic of surrender?

God’s Word is His communication to us (cf. 2 Tim 3:16). God has made it clear and accessible via human language (Josh 23:14; Deut 30:11-14; Rom 10:5-10). He has also made it authoritative. We as readers do not have the right to argue with it or change it. It cannot be broken (John 10:35). Rather, we are empowered (Eph 1:17; Jer 31:33) and accountable (2 Pet 3:16) to understand and live out the Scriptures (Jas 1:22).We need to learn to stop struggling against the text and surrender

With that, we don’t have interpretative options when it comes to God’s Word. The Bible is not some platform from which we can pontificate our own theology and advice. Its assertions are also not that which we can shrug off and ignore. It doesn’t have to live up to our reason or sensibilities. Rather, we need to learn to stop struggling against the text and surrender. Its statements become our statements, its reasons our reasons, its categories our categories, and its implications/applications our own worldview and life. Anything else adds to or subtracts from Scripture. Anything else compromises Sola Scriptura.

So as we read Scripture we need to make sure we are surrendered to Scripture. Have I learned what the author has said for the reason he said it and with the range of applications he has ordained? Do I have Scripture’s intent alone? These are critical questions in making sure our hermeneutic upholds Sola Scriptura.

Am I trying to use hermeneutical fine print?

We know what fine print is. It allows you to say one thing and undermine it through a loophole. That’s exactly what some have done with God’s Word. The excuse is pretty standard. They may claim they have a high view of Scripture, but at the same time, claim we can never know what it means. And because we do not know what it means, we cannot be held accountable to an errant view. At that point, people have subverted the authority of God’s Word through the hermeneutical fine print.

To be sure, Scripture has tough passages and doctrines (2 Pet 3:16). Knowing what it means takes hard work (cf. 2 Tim 2:15). Nevertheless, such difficulties in Scripture do not provide an excuse or fine print to hold to any view one desires. Let’s be clear. The moment you do that, you don’t have God’s Word, but your word and you’ve abandoned Sola Scriptura.

Guiding Principles For Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Personal Bible Studies and Group Bible Studies are wonderful ways to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Christians need to be careful however that they have done the hard work of bible study before sharing (note 2 Timothy 2:15; James 3).  Too many "bible studies" turn into a well intentioned but biblically misguided "this is what this text means to me" share fest.  Wrong interpretations can lead to wrong applications- some errors are more damaging then others.

Every believer is a theologian and every Christian employs biblical interpretation principles when reading, studying, and/or teaching the inerrant Word of God.  So here is the important question: Do Your Hermeneutics Hold to Sola Scriptura? 

"THE ARGUMENT FOR SOLA SCRIPTURA

How does Christ build His church? Arguably, He builds His church by His Word (Eph 4:11-14; 2 Tim 4:1-2). To have a ministry that pleases God, we must be all about His Word—it is central to true ministry.  We could sum it up this way: Scripture is the beginning, middle, and end of ministry.

Beginning-  Ephesians 2:20, “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone . . .”

Scripture is foundational for the church. The book of Acts establishes the church’s origins (Acts 2) and its mission (Acts 1:8). The epistles articulate its role (Eph 1-3) and operations (1 Tim 4:13; Tit 2:1-15). Thus, you can’t even define the church apart from the Bible. We can see this in the American church today. We have left the standard of Scripture and pursued every distraction. The resulting chaos illustrates how central God’s Word is—without it, we are confused, dysfunctional, and purposeless. You can’t have church or ministry apart from the authority of Scripture.

Middle- John17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

The Word of God drives the ministry of the church. As our Lord prayed, sanctification revolves around Scripture. However, people may wonder, “There are so many ways I can become a better and nicer person. Why do I need the Scriptures?” But, God is not just interested in making you a better and nicer person—He wants to make you like Christ. He doesn’t want you just to change so you please the world, but that you would please Him. That is our true destiny.There is no human manipulation on the planet that can transform you to fulfill your destiny

We can see this from the very beginning. In Genesis 1, we note that we are created in the image of God.  However, because of Adam and the fall, we observe that image is tarnished (cf. Gen 5:3). But there is hope because of the second Adam. Daniel 7 teaches that there will be one like a son of man, the true son of Adam.  He is like a son of man in that He is a man, but He is only like a son of man in that He is more than that. He is God.

For this very reason, Jesus is called the Son of Man in the Gospels.  In Romans 5, He’s called the second Adam. In Colossians 1:15, Paul proclaims He is the image of God.  And in Romans 8:29, we were predestined be conformed to His image.

At this point, Scripture ultimately reveals that the image of God in Genesis 1 is the image of Christ in Romans 8. When God made us in His image, He always meant for us to be like Christ. That is our destiny.

So yes, there are lots of human manipulations that can make you nicer. But there is no human manipulation on the planet that can transform you to fulfill your destiny. That belongs to the Word of God alone.

End-  1Timothy 3:15, “…the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

God’s Word is not only the beginning and middle of the Church, but also its end. As the support of the truth, it is up to us to preserve and uphold the truth for the next generation. That is our role in the plan of God and our legacy. Championing Scripture is mission critical for the church.

So the Scripture is the beginning, middle, and end of the church. For that reason, we hold to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Sola Scriptura means Scripture alone is authoritative for faith and practice. Scripture alone determines if your ministry is effective or not."

Are You Handling God's Word With Extreme Care?  Article to be continued.

This article was first published by Dr. Abner Chou.  Chou is a foremost authority on hermeneutics.  Dr. Chou is a professor at the Master's University and the Master's Seminary.   

6 Keys to More Effective Sermon Preparation

To be the Senior Pastor is, among other things, to be the primary feeder of the flock.  It's to be the lead teaching shepherd (1 Timothy 5:17-19).  

Pastor Jason Allen highlights 6 Keys to More Effective Sermon Preparation (which hopefully leads to more soul-stirring, Textually precise, God-honoring messages).

"Every pastor knows the constant weight of sermon preparation. Sunday is a standing, unmovable deadline. It is like living in final exam week, with a massive deadline before you every Lord’s Day. But the preacher’s test is a public one, for all to see. He will be judged by God’s people. And, more importantly, he will be judged by God himself.

To weekly stand before God’s people, open his Word, and be his spokesman is a daunting responsibility. I question the judgement—if not the calling—of those who take it lightly. That is why pastors spend so much time each week preparing sermons. To be a preacher is to be a sermon preparer.

Given the neediness of the church, the cultural pressures we face, and the general social upheaval of our times, how we preach has never been more important. That means our sermon preparation has never been more important either.

How to Handle the Hard Passages of the Bible (pt. 3)

Dr. Chou is helping us understand why dealing with difficult areas of scripture matters. Today I want to take the time to look at some specific hard passages to show not only how to think through difficult questions but also why the answers to these questions are beautiful. We could look at a plethora of different issues, but we only have space for three. Picking up where we left off yesterday.

The Conquest of Canaan

Moving from the law, we encounter the Conquest. Often people will ask, “How could a loving God demand the mass slaughter of men, women and children and the seizure of land?”

Is this really historical?

This is an issue that not only bothers unbelievers but also believers. Some people argue that this really never happened and so God really never ordained such killing. Before answering the question above, we need to make sure we understand what the Bible teaches.

The writers of Scripture consistently view that what happened in the Bible is historical and the basis for theology. Jesus’s historical resurrection is the basis for a theology of hope (1 Cor 15:13-14). His death on the cross is a proof of God’s love (Rom 5:8). The Flood is a demonstration of God’s judgment (2 Pet 3:6). In all these examples, the reality of history anchors the truthfulness of theology. Thus, one would expect that the book of Joshua, written in the same type of language as all these other events, would also be real history that grounds theology. This is how other biblical writers read that passage (1 Kgs 16:34; Heb 11:30-31).

In fact, counter to what some people claim, archaeological evidence exists that supports the biblical account. At the site of Jericho, people have observed a pot amidst a layer of destruction. Archaeologists discovered that this burned pot was filled with grain. This implies that Jericho was destroyed at a point of time, without much of a siege, and soon after the harvest (for the pot was full of grain). That is exactly what the Scripture says (Josh 5:11). So archaeology doesn’t contradict the scriptural record. The biblical account records real events that have left traces to this day.

Aren’t conquests acts of hatred?

How to Handle the Hard Passages of the Bible (pt. 2)

In Handling the Hard Passages, Part 1, Dr. Chou helped us look at why dealing with difficult areas of scripture matters. If you didn’t get a chance to read that post yet, it would be beneficial for you to check it out as a foundation to understanding today’s topic. This week I want to take the time to look at some specific hard passages to show not only how to think through difficult questions but also why the answers to these questions are beautiful. We could look at a plethora of different issues, but we only have space for three. We’ll take a look at them in Biblical order.

Creation in Genesis 1

One question is how should we understand the creation account in Genesis 1, especially in light of modern scientific discovers.

Creation isn’t an issue we should just tolerate or be embarrassed by. For us as Christians, scriptural truth hangs upon this doctrine.

Before discussing this issue, we need to make sure we know what the Bible says. I believe in 6 (24 hour) day creation, but how did I come to that conclusion? The world might think this view is crazy but we need to show we have not crazily handled God’s word.

Was it a miscommunication, myth, or myth-busting?

We can begin to think through this issue using the C. S. Lewis’s logic of “liar, lunatic, or lord.” Either what Jesus said is not real, He didn’t mean what he said, or He spoke the truth. In the same way, either Genesis is not historical (myth), there were ambiguities that allow for evolution (miscommunication), or it is history that bust myth (myth-busting).

In evaluating these views, we can first ask whether Genesis 1 is a myth. Scholars point out similarities between the Bible and other myths. For instance, both the Bible and those myths mention a firmament. But the myths talk about how a god slices a goddess in half and puts half of her body in the sky and the other half below. With that, the similarities are not that similar. The Israelites would see how different Genesis 1 is from any myth.

The next option is miscommunication. People argue that Genesis is not entirely clear on what a “day” means in the text. However, Genesis 1:5 says,“And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” The term “one” is important. As opposed to “first,” which shows order, “one” tells you what counts as a day: evening and morning (not millions of years). The Bible defines itself. Similarly, people use what’s called the gap theory which says there’s this big gap in the first verses of Genesis 1. But, if you go through all the instances of parallel grammatical constructions in Hebrew, you’ll find out that there are no gaps in any of them. So Genesis doesn’t have the ambiguities people suggest. It is clear.

True Preaching and Sanctified Sweat Go Hand in Hand (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 1:29)

"I'm Just Not Getting Much Out Of My Preacher's Sermons..." (pt. 2)

BORING!

What's a Christian to do if they are just not getting much out of their preacher's sermons?  In some cases, it may be helpful to share this loving concern with one's pastor.  If you choose to do this, provide a few specific examples to help your shepherd understand more specifically where you are coming from.  Do this with humility and bathe everything in prayer (Prov. 3:5-6). Having said that, before setting up such a meeting you should acknowledge that the difficulties your experiencing may reside as much in your own heart/mind, or in your own unrealistic and/or unbiblical expectations, as it does in the human mouthpiece of the Word (note 1 Peter 4:10-11).  One must evaluate each situation on a case by case basis.  Of course in many real world situations the matter is both/and rather than either/or.

Biblical humility should temper your criticisms with the honest acknowledgement that your pastor has invested 4-8 years of his life via bible college and seminary and to countless hours preparing weekly expositions.   I remind myself of this very principle when walking into a medical clinic. Before informing my doctor that "I don't think he's doing his job right and needs to do this or that" I realize that the few hours I spent on Web M.D. does not make me a "subject matter expert" in medicine.  That's not to say we should never question a doctor.  Some medical professionals are really poor in what they do and we would be foolish to not get a second opinion (or to find another doctor all together).

In this vein, if your preacher has not received received adequate ministry training he may need to "go back to school" before assuming such a huge responsibility as is feeding the flock of Christ (see John 21).  Note Clint Archer's helpful article on "should men go to seminary before leading the church of Christ.".

Having said that, those in the pew should be humble enough to listen to their pastor's thoughts knowing that he's likely spent hundreds of hours reading books on expository preaching, has invested thousands of hours listening to classroom lectures on theology, hermeneutics, counseling, Scripture, and homiletics, and probably benefits from many of the same well known preachers that you do.  What Christian doesn't love the preaching ministries of Alistair Begg, Steve Lawson, and John MacArthur?  

On this note, one of the present dangers of the internet and the proliferation of "celebrity pastors" is that some Christians expect their local church preacher to sound just like you fill in the blank; not realizing that God does not give "five talents" to every servant (Matt. 25:14-30) and has given each individual a unique personality/style.  If your preacher does not herald the Word as well as John MacArthur (join the camp), this does not mean that this brother has not been called to the ministry.   All believers are expected to be faithful stewards of the talents that have been sovereignly dispensed on them by the Lord of the Church (see 1 Cor. 12-14; 1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Tim. 3:1f).  In this same vein, if you expect your praise leader(s) to sing like Matt Boswell or Chris Tomlin, or to write arrangements like Fernando Ortega or Bob Kauflin, you are setting yourself up for being a church member who is never content.  Be biblically realistic and remind yourself that the power ultimately resides in the Word of God not in the heralds of His Word!

Is Seminary Really Necessary Before Assuming Leadership in a Local Church?

D. Min lecture with Dr. MacArthur at TMS

Why Seminary? Is formal bible training really necessary before becoming a Lead Pastor at a local church?  Though there are a select few exceptionally gifted and uniquely committed, self-taught, Preacher-Pastor/theologians... such as the brilliant Spurgeon and D.M. Lloyd-Jones. In general, those called to preach (see 2 Tim 2:15; Titus 1:5f) should receive the highest level of seminary training available to them. Would you undergo surgery from a surgeon who hasn’t been to medical school? Why not?

James Montgomery Boice said if he knew Christ were returning in 4 years he’d instruct young men to spend 3 years in intense pastoral training (seminary) and only then preach!  Too much is at stake and church history has too many examples of well intentioned (unprepared) pastors, teachers, and evangelists who failed the Colossians 1:28-29 mandate because of sloppy exegesis and faulty interpretations. Good communication skill alone is not enough. Clint Archer makes some helpful points in his article posted below.

Here's a snippet of Archer's blog post, "The question of whether seminary is necessary is one that perennially resurfaces among those who sense the urgency of the need to preach and feel compelled to dive right in, but also understand the benefit of thorough training, and want guidance about the balance.

A Teaching Ministry that Edifies the Saints and Glorifies the Lord

At bare minimum faithful teaching is comprised of two essential components.  Preparation and delivery.  Or, more specifically stated, God-honoring preaching involves diligent expository study combined with on-target exposition and application. 

              The “diligent study” component is mandated in 2 Timothy wherein Paul instructs his young protégé, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”[1]    

              The on-target exposition component is prescribed in many biblical texts but chiefly in  2 Timothy 3:16-4:2. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 

              In short, the faithful bible teacher must read the text, explain the text, and apply the text.

The Approved Workman

2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Ezra 7:10, For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Isaiah 66:2b, But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Expository Study (2 Tim. 2:15) and Sanctified Sweat

I refer to my weekly preparation as the "blessed grind."  H.B. Charles is spot on here.  "A desire to preach without a burden to study is a desire to perform."  The church has too many clowns in the pulpit today.  Here is one such example of a megachurch SBC pastor who doesn't get it.

Watch this video and you will see how desperately America needs a biblical reformation.

The pulpit is the rudder of the church brothers.  "Preach the Word in season and out!"

4 Questions to Ask as You Study the Scriptures

"Whenever we study the Scriptures we should ask ourselves the following questions:

1) What does it teach us?

2) In what areas of our lives does it rebuke us?

3) What healing, restoring, transforming effect does this teaching have?

4) How does this section of Scripture equip me to serve Christ (and the body of Christ) better?"

Sinclair Ferguson, Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth (pg. 10)

Why 'Verse-by-Verse' Expository Preaching?

 

Their was a season fifteen or so years ago when preaching through books of the Bible, verse-by-verse and chapter by chapter, was quite trendy.  We all know how much American Evangelicalism loves trends so naturally lots of churches started doing this (at least many attempted to do this).  I recently checked out a number of church websites in our community and realized that those days are long gone.  Expository preaching is no longer en vogue.   So why am I so committed to this "not so popular" (passé) method of teaching?

A missionary friend of mine (Jonathan Moorehead) provided a very helpful explanation this week as to why sequential exposition is the preferred method of preaching for most TMS graduates.  This is not to say that faithful Bible exposition demands Lectio Continua but many of us are convinced that it is the safest way of insuring that the authorial intent of each passage is declared in every sermon. Mark Dever rightly describes Bible exposition as “Preaching that takes for the point of a sermon the point of a particular passage of Scripture.  

Why does accuracy and authorial intent matter? 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that those "workmen" who "rightly divide the Word of truth" have no need to be "ashamed" as they preach the Word of God in season and out (2 Timothy 3:15-4:5).  To twist or distort the true meaning of holy Scripture is no small thing even when it is done intentionally. See for example my sermon, "Faulty Interpretation. Wrong Applications. Serious Problems."

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

 

This past March over four thousands believers came together in defense of sacred Scripture.  Those who traveled to California from around the world, did so specifically, to show their support for the doctrine of inerrancy.  Many of Evangelicalisms' key leaders preached at this important summit (16 guest speakers to be exact). 

The address that seemed to generate the most buzz during the conference was not even a plenary session message.  The following lecture by Dr. Abner Chou is the single greatest presentation I have ever heard/read on the subject of hermeneutics.  How should God's people rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)?  This verse is especially true for Bible teachers but is generally applicable to all of us.  Awana ministries, as many of you know, have chosen 2 Timothy 2:15 as their theme verse:  Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed (who rightly divide the holy Word of God).

This breakout session addresses how the New Testament writers interpreted and applied the Old Testament Scriptures.  The hermeneutic of the apostles is a model for the church.  Please consider investing an hour of your week in this vitally important lesson. 

http://shepherdsconference.org/media/details/?mediaID=10928