Well done, Lausanne! Reflections on the full week of Lausanne 4

Lausanne 4 came to a triumphant close today.  It is difficult to describe in words to someone who has not attended an event like this, the breathtaking beauty of a Lausanne gathering with 5,200 people gathered in a single room with delegates from nearly every country on earth worshipping in joy and harmony.   There is […]

Reflections on Lausanne 4 in Korea

I am writing from Korea (Incheon) at the midpoint of the Lausanne 4 gathering with a few reflections so far on his historic congress.  For those who may not be familiar with the Lausanne movement, it was founded by an initiative from Billy Graham, Leighton Ford and John Stott in 1974 to accelerate and build […]

The Prosperity Gospel: An Aberration to Watch out for

The Prosperity Gospel:  An Aberration to Watch out for Central to the task of any pastor or leader in the church is to be vigilant and attentive to various aberrations of the gospel which are common in our own day.  Some of the best theology from the New Testament and later patristic period are writings […]

Living Courageously in the World

Living Courageously in the World   On a January night in 1536 Jeronimus Kȁls and two of his friends were arrested in a pub for refusing to take part in a drinking game.  Their refusal raised the suspicion that they might be anabaptists, the radical wing of the Reformation.  They were arrested and put into […]

I came, I saw, I loved

Final Charge to 2024 Class of Asbury Theological Seminary Julius Caesar famously wrote to the Roman Senate in 46 B.C. in the wake of his stunning victory in the east:  veni, vidi, vici – I came, I saw, I conquered.   That famous phrase veni, vidi, vici has become almost the summarizing motto of the confident, […]

What the church has believed, taught and confessed

Every Sunday throughout much of the church, you will hear confessions from the Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed being confessed. This is one of the standard “orders” in a worship service, whether the church is liturgical or non-liturgical, traditional or contemporary. You will hear it in Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox churches. I have […]

Global Methodist Church and a CEU requirement

These are exciting and thrilling days for the new Global Methodist Church as a new body of Wesleyan believers are coming together to “worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.” Thousands of churches have joined the new denomination, and over time, it will become the largest Wesleyan movement in the world. The convening General Conference […]

Becoming Champions for the Lost

We all love champions. As a tennis fan, I have followed Novak Djokovic for years, and it was so exciting when he landed his 24th grand slam. He is a real champion. The last few years another exciting athlete has entered the big stage of NCAA women’s basketball. She is Caitlin Clark, the point guard […]

The Roman Catholic Blessing of Same-Sex Couples

Headlines around the world this week have declared that Pope Francis Approves Blessings for Same-Sex Couples, hailing it as a major shift in Vatican doctrine.  This refers to a 5,000 word document entitled Fiducia Supplicans, which was issued as a “declaration.”  In the Roman Catholic world, statements from the Vatican fall in four different categories, […]

Entering into the Mystery

As a preacher, teacher and seminary president, I have spent most of my life proclaiming, teaching and explaining various aspects of the Christian faith. But, at this time of the year especially, it is important to recall that the Christian faith is explainable – even to a child – yet also beyond explanation, because God’s […]