Saturday Shout-Outs: Chicago, Armor Bearers, & Ministry Links

Saturday Shout-Outs is my weekly bulletin board of things I have found interesting and worth sharing. Enjoy!

A big shout-out to Pastor Charlie Dates for the opportunity to speak this week at the Church Institute at the Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. I have high expectations for Charlie Dates. And the Lord is doing great things at the Progressive Church. Remember them in your prayers.

This week was my last revival of the year. Praise the Lord! Thanks to all the pastors who graciously allowed me to preach the word to your congregations this year.

I have blogged since 2005. But nothing I have written has kicked up as much dust as my recent post on armor bearers. I meant it for it be something shocking, controversial even. But I would have never thought that it would have stirred up as much fuss as it has, which may be the point I was trying to make. Why are so many pastors and churches so committed to establishing and protecting the role of armor bearers, and not, say, the New Testament offices of elders and deacons?

Bottom-line: After all the discussion and debate, I stand by my premise armor bearers are more about celebrity Christianity than Christian discipleship!

SAVE THE DATE: Cutting it Straight Expository Preaching Conference, September 24-26, 2014

Tim Challies: 10 Steps to Preach From Your iPad

Brandon Hilgemann: 10 Guest Preaching Tips So They Want to Invite You Back

The ERLC: Bait with an Unshakeable Hook: A Biblical Response to Predatory Lending Practices

Mike Niebaer: Is it Actually Hard to Be a Pastor?

Tom Ascol: 35 Lessons from 35 Years as a Pastor

Thabiti Anyabwile: 5 Things to Do Before Leaving Your Church

Kevin Halloran: A Prayer for Those Battling Sin

Nathan Busenitz: Did Jesus Become a Sinner on the Cross?

Lisa Spence: Being in the Word Every Day

Michael Hyatt: To Do or Not to Do, That is the Question

Kate Tracy: The Top Five Reasons You Church Could Land in Court