4 the World

“The essence of Christian faith is forgiveness … given by screwed up people to other screwed up people.”* This week, we welcome back Dr. Steve Brown, President of Key Life Network and friend of Third Mill, and Dr. Richard Pratt, President of Third Mill. They talk about how this message of forgiveness is spreading like wildfire throughout Asia, Latin America and Africa. They also discuss a very real threat to this message and why it's so important for Christians to share Jesus’ passion for the growth of his Kingdom with people in places very different from our own.

*from Three Free Sins: God’s Not Mad at You, by Steve Brown

Because of growing divisions in our society, it's getting harder to talk about important things, not just with our neighbors, but even in our own families. Many of us see only obstacles, not opportunities to share our faith. But in this episode, Dr. Richard Pratt shares the story of an American Jew, who was a practicing Buddhist, who came to Christ through Richard's near-death experience. And Dr. Steve Brown describes evangelism as a welcoming party where Christians are willing to show their neighbors how they really live, warts and all.

Dr. John Frame discusses our witness and the missional identity of the church. How do we practice theological education? What have Lesslie Newbigin and Harvie Conn contributed to this dialog? And, at a time when our civil discourse has become less civil, why is the gospel, and not just natural law, so vital to the church’s public witness and theology?

What is the “regulative principle” of worship and how do we make good use of it? How do we evaluate the role of music and the use of instruments in corporate worship? What Scriptural limits and freedoms should we be observing regarding the service of gifted women and non-ordained men in public worship? Join us as we consider these and other worship-related questions with Dr. John Frame.

Where do we find the strength and help to do God’s will? Dr. John Frame discusses the important role a community of Spirit-filled, Spirit-gifted believers has in helping us grow in righteousness. We touch on questions relevant to today. For instance, how do we develop a set of ethical criteria for distributing and paying for health care?

Is theology only an academic discipline, or are all Christians called to doing theology as we apply the Scriptures in every part of our lives? Dr. John Frame challenges us to consider that we can only truly know ourselves if we understand and know God, that is, if we do theology well.

Will Savell announces Teleios, a new, multi-member partnership led by the Argentine Bible Society. In conjunction with the Grace Institute, Third Mill, and Leadership Ministries Worldwide (LMW), this innovative ministry provides a free digital-learning platform for Spanish-speaking pastors. Through their vast network, the Argentine Bible Society has already attracted more than 2000 students who have made a commitment to growing in their Christian maturity through this ministry!

Many missiologists claim that Latin America is reached for Christ. But the prosperity gospel and syncretistic expressions of Christianity are widespread. Will Savell tells us why Third Mill’s materials are necessary for the church in Latin America and the Caribbean to grow mature and strong. He also identifies several ministry sites where the Grace Institute and Third Mill are working together to strengthen the Latino church.

Will Savell introduces Josh Warren, the new Director of Curriculum at the Grace Institute. Will and Josh discuss what they look for in ministry training materials and why they’ve chosen to partner with Third Mill. They also offer innovative ways to adapt and format Third Mill's curriculum for pastors in remote rural regions.

Will Savell, the founder and president of the Grace Institute (and a key partner and champion for Third Mill’s training curriculum!), tells us about the acute need for pastoral-training resources that motivated him to start the Grace Institute. He also outlines three distinctives of his work and shares a story or two about the “Bear Grylls approach” that some pastoral training contexts require.