De-Nerding NAMB with Kevin Ezell

I did not expect Dr. Kevin Ezell, president of NAMB (North American Mission Board), to describe his goals as "De-Nerding NAMB." Nor was I prepared for him to say that church planters often want to work in urban areas because "the city is sexy." Needless to say our interview produced some wonderful soundbites, but even more it gives a great glimpse into the heart of the president who wants to revamp, not only the image, but the effectiveness of NAMB.

In this first of two interviews, Kevin Ezell openly speaks about major changes in NAMB and his desire to free up as much money as possible specifically for church planting.

You can click here to hear this engaging conversation with Kevin Ezell.

Video footage of Dever interview

Mark Dever: Defender of the Local Church

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Mark Dever, who is internationally known for his teachings and writings about the local church. Dr. Dever is the president of 9 Marks, a ministry whose goal is to see "churches display the glory of God." He has authored several books, including 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, and also pastors the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C.

I could write a long blog telling you how wonderful the experience was, or how gracious Mark Dever is, but hundreds of other people have written the same thing. Instead, I will simply say, "The man knows his stuff." I believe I can explain how he has become so knowledgeable: he asks questions of everyone he meets. While preparing for the interview I was warned by two people that he would interview me just as much as I interviewed him. Matt and Rich, you were correct. Before the mics were turned on, Mark peppered me with questions about the history of MABTS, area churches, and scholars and pastors from around Memphis. Thankfully that interview was not recorded, but instead here is the podcast of my interview with Mark Dever. I believe you will find Dr. Dever's take on topics such as missions and technology in the local church to be intriguing.

Click here to listen to the interview on Itunes.

Jeff Brawner: Baptizing in the Mississippi

Island Community Church has a membership of less than 100, but is a church with the potential to impact the world through its congregation of primarily medical students, graduate students, and young professionals from all over the globe. Dr. Jeff Brawner, the newest facility member at MABTS, pastors this body of believers that is not only unique because its members, but also in the fact that the baptismal waters are the Mississippi river. Click here to listen to more about this fascinating church and Dr. Brawner's desire to bring people to Christ.

Bryan Loritts and Ricky Jenkins: Moving past the racial barrier.

“We must face the sad fact that at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, when we stand to sing… we stand in the most segregated hour in America.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The idea of a multicultural church appeals to me on so many levels, but I have found very few churches that can truly say they are multicultural. One local body in Memphis holds this distinction: Fellowship Memphis. This summer Bryan Loritts, lead pastor and son of Crawford Loritts, and Ricky Jenkins, pastor of Fellowship Downtown and MABTS Student, sat down with me to discuss how they lead a fellowship of believers from different races and with roots in various Christian traditions.

The interview with Ricky and Bryan can be found here on Itunes.

Ryan Bush returns . . . sort of.

The truth is we recorded two interviews with Ryan back to back in one day, but the best way to keep people at your house for hours on end is to promise a delectable dessert and not serve it until three hours after the original meal. If you doubt me try it sometime. Instead of asking, "Would you like dessert now, or would you like to wait?" say, "I made a tremendous trifle with chocolate, caramel, and walnuts that we will eat later." I am sure your guests will stay in anticipation no matter how lame your jokes are. I must add, this may not work if the guests mentioned above have had your trifle and it was neither delectable nor tremendous. So, never promise an untremendous trifle as a tremendous trifle to anyone who has already tried the trifle.

Well, listening to Ryan and I talk about mission work and fun times at seminary housing may not be a trifle, but thanks for staying for dessert.

Part 2 of Rick Melick

Dr. Rick Melick from Golden Gate Baptist Seminary did a second interview with me while he was here on campus. I enjoyed hearing stories about his working along side his son at a church plant in North Califorina. The podcast can be heard here.