Grace or Grit

Are all strategies equal?  The mission of the church is to proclaim the good news of God's saving grace.  We are commanded to let the whole world know about Jesus.  But there are a variety of theories and experiments (concerning how to get it done) that individual churches have adopted.  Are some methods better than others?

While there are other models to consider, on this episode Jonathan Romaine (a BMM missionary in Spain) joins David and Patrick to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of traditional foreign missions vs. supporting national pastors instead. 

If you are a Christian, this issue should matter to you.  Have you thought it through?  If not, do so with us today.

Movies and songs have been published about this.  Jokes are told about it.  Books written.

But I have lived it.

I'm a preacher's kid.  And, yes - a church brat too.

There are positives and negatives to this reality.

Even in the Bible we have MANY examples (both good and bad) of PKs - minister's kids who did really well, or very poorly.

On this week's episode Patrick and Dave are joined by Dave's youngest child, Elijah.  Spend an hour with them thinking about the unique blessings and burdens that come with growing up in a preacher's home.

"I would rather burn out than rust out."

Have you ever heard that statement before?

Some retort, "Does it really matter how you get out? If you're out, you're out."

But it does matter.  The idea of burning the candle at both ends certainly includes the concepts of intensity and productivity.  Contrariwise, rusting out (at least in this context) implies sitting; doing nothing; contributing nothing.

I want to contribute; to do my part.  Until the very end, I want to be used of God.

The topic for this episode is difficult (to me) because it’s hard to imagine ever stepping away from active, full time ministry. What I really want to gauge here is the reality of retired life (especially in ministry) as opposed to career life (or active, vocational ministry).

Joining Patrick and I for this conversation is a friend and semi-retired pastor by the name of Jim Johnson.

Should you and I be looking for miracles today?  More specifically, should we be seeking for the spiritual gifts that give us power now to do miraculous things?

What about the gift of tongues?  Why can't we raise the dead today?  Or, can me?  Are healing campaigns biblical?  Are all miracles equal?  Is the purpose of every miracle the same?

These and other questions are worthy of our attention.

On this episode David and Patrick are joined by Dr. Robert Talley (assistant professor of theology, apologetics, and church history at Liberty University’s John W. Rawlings School of Divinity) to discuss what our modern day expectations should be concerning "sign gifts" and miracles in general.  

Do you have soul?  

Do you have spirit?

Or, ARE you a soul WITH a spirit?  Or are these 2 things the same?

2nd Corinthians 7:1 reads, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

WE must cleanse OURSELVES from the filthiness of our SPIRIT?  What in the world?

In this episode David and Patrick are joined by David's father, Arthur Talley, Jr in a discussion on one of the most difficult of all anthropologic dilemmas.

Are the soul and spirit different things, and if so - why does it matter?

It does matter.  God's character is at stake.  What part of Adam died on the day that he sinned?  Not his body or soul.  God said he would die THAT DAY!  So, we had better figure out what's going on with this.

What percentage of the children in our world today are being reared by good, honorable fathers?

Maybe accurate data isn't even available to provide an answer to that question.  But, what we do know and can see is that while responsible fatherhood makes a huge positive difference in the life of a child, largely it is becoming increasingly rare.  And, the cost is great.

On this episode Patrick and David are joined by Rev. Mike Deisem to discuss his childhood and the tragic experiences he endured with the men who failed at fathering well.  

There is hope though.  

There are lessons and principles here that should challenge, inspire, and encourage men to be the kind of Dads God has called us to be.

OK.  This one is a real controversy.  And right now, it matters.

Can the church BE the church virtually; digitally?  Or, do we have to assemble physically; personally?

Have we forsaken the assembly during the COVID-19 crisis, or are we just functioning in a different way?

This discussion is a raw and raging one.  Patrick Reed & Luke Scallon gang up on me (Dave Talley) to try to convince me that virtual church isn't enough.  Will they convince me?  Or, will I straighten them out?  

You'll have to listen to find out.

What does God's work in Brooklyn, NY have to do with ministry in Hurlock, MD?

Rural and urban ministries do have much in common.  But there are also some significant differences.  What are the unique difficulties and how do we overcome them?

This week's discussion is not really controversial or debatable, but it is difficult.  It's hard to understand and sympathize with those who have experiences with which we are unfamiliar.

David and Patrick are joined this time by the pastor of ACTS Christian Church in New York City: Pastor Jairo Figueroa.  He was born in Nicaragua and migrated to America when he was 11 years old.  He shares with us some of the recent challenges of ministering in New York City during the pandemic, as well as other situations that are common in a metropolitan ministry.

Everybody has something to say.  But some things that are said are just not helpful.  Many times what is said isn't even true.

When it comes to racism and ethnic division, we need conversations that are constructive and honest.  Divisive and deceptive ones will do no good.

In this episode, David and Patrick are joined by Rev. Tony Lawson in an attempt to take on a variety of issues related to the unique perspectives of black and white Christians.  

Rev. Lawson is the pastor of Damascus Road Community Baptist Church in Cockeysville, MD.  He also serves as a councilman for Governor Larry Hogan, as the chairman of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council, and is the first African American President of the Executive Committee.  

Do you like tulips?  How about TULIP? 

T.U.L.I.P. 

T - Total Depravity

U - Unconditional Election

L - Limited Atonement

I - Irresistible Grace

P - Perseverance of the Saints

Who is responsible for my destiny?  Me; or God?

Maybe the best summary is this one: "What's wrong is me, and what's right is Him." - John McArthur 

If there is any question that deserves to be taken up on Grace or Grit, it is this one: did John C. have his act together, or was Jacob A. the man?

Every Christian has a system of assumptions that match closely with the postulations of one or the other of these 2 guys.  Some of us try to claim both; or neither.

On this episode Dave Talley & Patrick Reed are joined (pardon the pun) by Pastor Justin Joiner of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Aroney, AL to discuss one of the heaviest issues around: God's sovereignty & your autonomy.