Life2gether

I just came across a new blog by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof called Orange Parents.  The picture below explains the orange concept.  My buddy, Lisle Drury, and I attended the Orange Conference last year and it helped to spur us on to begin a new ministry to families called, S.E.E.D.S.  Though the gospel is not always put to the forefront of the 252 curriculum produced by these “Orange Leaders,” there is much good to be gathered from their intentional focus on bringing the church and home together.  So I encourage you to bookmark this parenting blog.

Al Mohler recently spoke at the Connecting Church and Home Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.  In his message, “Christian Parenting is Combat,” he gives 4 things Christian leaders must do to connect the church and home.

#1 The church must present faithful vision of the family, marriage, and parenting – and equip believers to transfer that vision to the next generation.

#2 The church must overcome the zone of privacy and autonomy that keeps individuals from being accountable to the church community. We need to get into each others face. Our parenting and marriage are not properly ours – but belong to Christ and are the affairs of the whole church. Someone needs to get involved when people struggle in these areas.

#3 The church has got to be a place where brokenness is overcome by the Gospel. We slander the good news when we act like the only people who can glorify God are those who have never experienced brokenness.

#4 The church has to got to be the place where families are rescued and armed for the combat to which we are called. Discipleship is a battle. We come to church because we can’t afford not to come. We need to get together because we need to be equipped by the preaching of the Word of God and the fellowship of the Saints.

(HT: Tony Kummer)

I wasn’t able to attend this year’s Connecting Church and Home Conference here in Louisville, Kentucky.  But Tony Kummer took some great notes on the conference if you’re interested.  The audio messages should be available at the conference website soon.  You also might be interested in downloading this free conference program given to the attendees.

Good thoughts by Tim Challies summing up Al Mohler’s message at the Ligonier conference.

I’m getting ready to head out with my good buddy Lisle on a 6th Grade Retreat this weekend.  The theme of our retreat is CHANGE.  That one word pretty much encompasses what’s going on in the lives of kids at this age.  Lots of changes, inside and out!  Zits, Braces, and hair in weird places!  What an awkward time.  Wanting to be liked.  Wanting to fit in.  All of these changes can lead to confusion and frustration.  That’s why we need a change of the heart first.  And when we become a new creature the change process has only begun.  Justified by grace and then sanctified by grace until we reach glory.   Please pray for this weekend.  And yes, that’s me as a 6th grader on the left.

One book Lisle and I recommend for parents during these awkward years is The Space Between by Walt Mueller.

This was my favorite part of the Together for the Gospel Conference. A group of humble men calling out to God for help to heal a fellow brother in need. What a great example. We need more of this as men. Not just for physical healing, but for spiritual healing as well (James 5:16).

Photo courtesy of Daniel Perez Jr.

(HT: JT)

It’s been said that books don’t change people, paragraphs do.  Well, the same is true at conferences like T4G.  You take in so much in such a short time.  And if you’re like me an entire message is hard to remember (especially if it’s given by such incredible thinkers like Dever, Sproul, Piper, Mohler, etc.).  But one line can grip you.  One line can stick with you.  Here are some that stuck with me:

“Jesus’ evangelism plan is the community of faith living out the gospel.”  ~ Mark Dever

“The church is multi-ethnical, not multi-cultural.” ~ Thabiti Anyabwile

“Sow the gospel … go to sleep … and it will grow [as God desires].” ~ John MacArthur

“[On teaching simply ...] you can feed a child a steak, but if you love him you’ll cut it into little pieces.” ~ Josh Harris

“[I commend to you] a lifelong meditation on the 4 Gospels to more fully see and savor the glories of the Savior and fellowship with him.” ~ John Piper

“The power is not in you, the power is under the hood [in the gospel]!” ~ C.J. Mahaney

“Prepare your people for suffering.” ~ Mahaney with Matt Chandler

Please pray for our pastoral team as we attend the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville this week.  I feel blessed to be a part of what God is doing in these days.  7000+ pastors are expected at this gathering!  Think of the ripple effect!

Jim Tomaszewski from Children Desiring God will be leading a training at my church on April 15th (6:30 - 8:00 pm).  Among the topics of discussion will be vision for children and how CDG curriculum is a means to that vision, practical helps to build bridges from church to home, and a time of Q&A.  If you are interested in coming, please contact me (dwolterATlagrangebaptist.com).

Today my friend Lisle and I are heading out to Chicago for Catalyst One Day, a leadership conference with Andy Stanley and Craig Groeschel.  These guys are gifted leaders and I’m looking forward to learning from them on the theme of Momentum–something all of us want in our churches and personal lives.  Hopefully I’ll post a couple thoughts on the conference in the coming days.