We had a video call with the three pastors whose books were featured in this symposium on the rural church. Our conversation highlighted themes that arose in the series, things like: misconceptions of rural society, the nature of abiding, success in ministry, and the gifts that the rural church can offer to the wider church….

Johann Spangenberg (1484–1550), a Lutheran pastor, authored one of the best selling postils1 of the sixteenth century, the Postilla Teütsch, which helped to prepare children to understand the lectionary readings. In this post on Luke 5:1-11 for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity, Spangenberg asserts that Christ’s words penetrated the hearts of the disciples—not merely their…

No one said improvisation is easy. It requires the toys to place strong faith in their owner. And at times what Andy’s toys see doesn’t convince them that their faith was well-placed. Toys—like people—are visual creatures; they need evidence. In the case of identity this is an especially high calling. It’s easier for Andy’s toys…

Combining his pastoral experience and scholarly interest in Jonathan Edwards, Pastor Josh Moody of College Church delivered a timely and practical message for the TEDS community drawing from the life, work, and ministry of Edwards. As part of the Jonathan Edwards & the Church series, Moody presented The Theocentric Vision of Jonathan Edwards: A Hands-On…

As I dig into my year-long discussion of a theology of achievement, I will be developing several conversation partners—both Christian and secular. In this post, I begin to survey the literature out there that relates to the theme.[1] Most of the literature does not address the theme of “achievement” directly—or, at least, it doesn’t use…

The Henry Center welcomes Timothy Laniak who is the Academic Dean at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte Campus). Dr. Laniak has served as a missionary in 15 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as the director of the International Fellowship House in Boston, and as a welfare housing manager for elderly immigrants in Brookline,…