Connected Kingdom (17): Bibles to Africa

Sep 1, 2010 • By David Murray • 0 Comments

Download here.

One of the aims of the Connected Kingdom podcast is to connect “ordinary” Christians with the lives and ministries of other “ordinary” Christians. This week’s podcast is a case in point. Here’s how Tim describes it:

In this week’s podcast we speak to a man who helped begin an amazing ministry. Jeff Anderson, working through International Bible Conference, helps train pastors from around the world. From very humble beginnings this organization has grown to the point where they are now leading conferences in Africa with 5,000 pastors attending, many of whom have no training and no Bible. Each of these pastors is exposed to sound doctrine, learns the value of expositional preaching and walks away with a Bible. In this interview Jeff shares some of the ways God has worked through this small organization, drawing people to himself (saving hundreds of pastors in one of the conferences!) and grounding thousands of pastors in the truth of the Word.

Much of what encourages me about this ministry is simply its humble beginnings and low profile. This is not an effort brought about by a major international ministry, but one carried on by a single local church that simply seeks to obey God.

It’s a beautiful thing!

You can learn more about International Bible Conference at internationalbibleconference.org.

PRTS Conference Audio on Sermon Audio

Aug 31, 2010 • By David Murray • 2 Comments

The addresses given at the recent Puritan Reformed Seminary Conference are now available on Sermon Audio.

Just say “Thank You”

Aug 31, 2010 • By David Murray • 0 Comments

Bobby Brannigan of Valore Books argues that in a day of corporate perks, picnics, and parties, the most valued (and least expensive) thank you remains the personal one.

While I’m by no means suggesting that the annual holiday party be canceled, I am stating that no company-wide bash will take the place of a sincere and unrehearsed thank you in front of colleagues. Better yet, doing so just cost a dime, but will provide huge returns in terms of productivity and employee retention. Public praise from superiors may be in short supply for some companies. For mine, however, we bank on it!

He gives five “Be’s”

Be often: Make it a point that when an opportunity presents itself, even one that would warrant nothing more than a simple “Atta Boy” or “Atta Girl,” do it.

Be sincere: Let the “Thank Yous” come naturally. Don’t try to overdue or over think them. It will give people the belief that you don’t really care and may come across in the exact opposite way that you intended.

Be spontaneous: Don’t wait until a week or two later to congratulate an individual for their hard work. Do it on the spot and in front of others if possible. Praising in public is a great way to boost an entire team’s spirits.

Be everywhere: Get out from behind the desk and go to where the folks you wish to thank actually work. Your kind words will go much farther.

Be encouraging: Convince others to take your lead in providing praise to co-workers and direct reports. It will infuse this practice within your corporate culture.

My redemptive-historical friends are probably already reaching for the comments box. Just before you go, can I say that the most “thank-full” people I’ve come across have always been those who loved the Gospel most. Those who cannot stop thanking the Lord for what He has done for them overflow in thanks to others.

Also, it takes a considerable measure of humility to say “Thank you.” The thanker is saying “I have a need that you have supplied,” or “I don’t deserve what you have given me/done for me.” Neither of these thoughts or words come easily to proud sinners like us. We don’t usually want to admit our need and we deserve far more that we have, don’t we?

But believers in Christ have been humbled, they have been brought to see their need, and they confess that if deservingness is the criteria then hell is their destiny. But having been forgiven much, they love much, and they thank much.

This is what makes Gospel thanks so different from Corporate thanks. The words may be identical, but the motivation is very different. Corporate thanks is motivated by “huge returns in terms of productivity and employee retention.” Gospel thanks is motivated by huge forgiveness for huge sins.

Our corporate and ecclesiastical culture would be more “thank-full” if we were more “Gospel-full.”