Desiring God Ministry’s Scott Anderson does a fine job asking pointed, succinct questions of Tim Keller. The interview is broken up into short audio clips, addressing questions such as:
Gospel/Community/Mission Communion
I’d like to lay out the ingredients of the communion meal instituted by Jesus and observed by the church for twenty centuries–Gospel, Community, & Mission. In laying them out, inspect yourself and your own diet. Are you keeping all three ingredients together in your communion with God?
A Narrative of Authentic Worship
By: Logan Pearce
As Miranda and I work on Austin City Life’s Worship Handbook, we have been working on a worship statement. This is our provisional worship statement. I was stirred to worship through editing and writing it!
A Narrative of Worship
Austin City Life believes that the triune God created man in his own image to unceasingly & authentically worship Him (Gen 1:27). Worship is a continual outpouring of who we are in mind, heart, soul & body to what we desire most; everybody worships something (Rom 12:1-2). We were created before sin entered the world to authentically worship the one true God of the Bible. After sin entered the world we did not cease to worship, but rather we rejected God and his authority and redirected our worship to lesser—unworthy and unholy—gods (Gen 3; Rom 1-5). This was the Fall—a fall from grace into an idolatry of wisdom and self-rule. But the story doesn’t end there…the Fall doesn’t stand alone (Gen 3:15). Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, defeated sin, death and evil; and by his sinless life, love-filled death and miraculous resurrection, gives us new life, a foretaste of the new creation (1 Cor 15; 1 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:16; Rev 21-22)           .
Worship Through (Not After) Repentance
Through the gospel authentic, true worship is regained. This worship can take many forms because God is worthy of worship in many ways. We can worship Him through making good culture, living obediently, serving one another, or singing a great hymn (Rom 12-16; Col 3-4). However, one aspect of worship that is frequently neglected is the role of repentance and faith (Lk 3:3; 5:3; 24:47; Rom 2:4; Act 5:31; 2 Cor 7:10; Rev 3:19). ACL aims to teach, train and encourage repentance from sin and faith in Christ as a rhythm of everyday worship. The challenge and blessing of living a life of true worship is to discover, over and over, that Jesus is a better god, a better savior, than anything this else. Repentance is God’s gift of returning us, over and over, into the arms of this better Savior. We believe that repentance and faith is good news, and is itself an act of worship, one that will continue until Jesus comes again to make all things new. Only then will our worship be unhindered and our vision unimpaired to see and savor all that God is for us in the Spirit and the Son, freeing us to appropriately enjoy all good things.
Lots of Exciting Updates!
Gospel Centered Discipleship
I am finishing up my revised and expanded manuscript of Gospel-Centered Discipleship (formerly Fight Clubs). Crossway will publish this manuscript. I’ve field tested some of the new material in recent conferences with great response. I’m excited about the considerable revisions, how the writing is changing me, and my church. Manuscript due end of February.
Slow Church
At Austin City Life (new website next Sunday), we have been working through what it means to be a Slow, Focused, & Creative Church (audio). The response has been remarkable. People want slow. As a city church of creatives, professionals, families, singles, and students, we are well acquainted with the “busy”, too acquainted in some instances. Should Christians be among the most busy people on earth? We’re postulating slow church, and at the same time, suggesting that Christians should be among the most focused, least anxious, extremely creative people in the city. I’m working on a book to address some of this. Yes, “working on another book.”
The GCM Collective National Conference
The CGM Collective has nailed down a new, National Conference date in Huntsville, AL for Sept 14-16. It will be a GCM EveryDay on steroids. I love being a part of the GCM community and so appreciate the leadership and gospel-earnestness of my fellow GCM leaders. We’re also rolling out some new things with a GCM Affinity Group in Acts 29 this year. Oh, yeah, we put up some free audio from a recent conference and you have to check out the new CD by Soma called, of course, Story.
The Failure of the Missional Church
This article has received a lot of attention. It seems to have struck a nerve because it addresses where the Missional Church is for so many people. I recently returned from a great time with folks in Omaha, where they videoed my talk on “The Failure of the Missional Church.” We processed this talk in 45 minutes of Q&A. Pastors and church planters want to learn how to truly follow Jesus and lead his church on mission. These are great days for the re-surging American church.