The conference concluded today with a huge bang. The theme for today was church planting, which for me is comparative to a kid getting to spend a day in a huge bowl of chocolate pudding. The morning opened with Ed Stetzer, church planter, author, and lead missiologist for LifeWay, who spoke on the value of diverse approaches to church and the visible benefits of reaching diverse people. One of the things he said that I fully endorse is that the very methodology that is encouraged in foreign missions, learning culture to aid in the effective communication of the gospel message, is discouraged in the mission of state-side churches. I am NOT advocating the changing of the message, simply the methods! Methods are not timeless the message is and therefore is applicable to all generations. The contextualization of the message has adapted throughout the generations and should not stop today for the sake of the gospel.
Later in the morning there was a church planter panel, moderated by Ed Stetzer, geared to expose several effective associations and churches' approaches to church planting. The men on the panel were Brian Bloye (West Ridge Church), Elmer Towns (Liberty University), Jamie George (Journey Ecclesia), Billy Hornsby (Association of Related Churches), and Matt Fry (C3 Church). Only time will tell how many churches will be planted and consequently people will be reached for Christ by exposing so many existing church pastors to church planting!
The conference ended with our Center for Ministry Training board meeting. These pastors and their churches make a significant financial and influential investment to the practical wing of Liberty University and Seminary. We had a great lunch and our director Dr. Dave Earley was able to celebrate many wonderful things that God had done over the last calendar year. Thank you to all of our board members for their commitment to invest in the next generation of world changers! If you would be interested in connecting with the Liberty Center for Ministry Training we would love to hear from you. Just follow this link.
