Ministry Updates

What is Your Primary Identity?

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

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What is your Primary Identity?

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

Read Full Article

What is your primary Identity?

Polycarp, the famous 1st century bishop of Smyrna is known for his martyrdom.   He was   part of that great legacy of Christians who were the direct “disciples of the Disciples.”  In his case, he was the disciple of the Apostle John.   Everyone who knew him testified to his impeccable life and his commitment to historic […]

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Pastors, Get Rid of the “Countdown Clock”!

One of the joys I have is the privilege of preaching in churches all across the country.  I have seen the inside of dozens and dozens of sanctuaries.  It is common for large churches to have a “traditional” service in the sanctuary and a “contemporary” service in a gym or some other multi-purpose space.  I […]

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Thoughts on the Beginning of a New Year and of Creation itself

2025 marks a new season for Julie and me as we have now fully transitioned from over fifteen years of ministry and service to Asbury Theological Seminary and am now beginning a new chapter at Beeson Divinity School.   I now serve as the Methodist Chair of Divinity at Samford University.  My wife and I thought […]

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The Mystery of the Incarnation

Each year the church throughout the world keeps vigil for three days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Three days of waiting in expectation.  Jonah in anticipation of that great mystery spent three days in the belly of the fish before he was resurrected to preach the gospel to the nations.  This morning marks the […]

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The Church has Boundaries which are Theological, Ethical and Historic

One of the more hopeful developments in the larger wesleyan movement of our day has been the emergence of the Global Methodist Church. This new denomination has the opportunity to bring fresh winds of renewal to the wesleyan movement throughout the world. While the recovery of distinctive wesleyan theology is vital, probably the greatest blessing […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Timothy Tennent © 2025