Why Gentleness in Ministry Matters More Than You Think
Well it’s that time of year. This Friday we will graduate another class of seminary students at RTS Charlotte, sending them off to serve the Lord in a variety of ways. And during each of these graduations, I have an opportunity to give a final “charge” as the president of the campus.
This year, I have been reflecting on RTS’s motto: “A mind for truth, and a heart for God.” At RTS, we care very much about the mind—we value rigorous scholarship combined with a commitment to the historic truths of Reformed theology. But that is not all that matters to us. We also care about our students’ hearts; … Continue reading...
Don’t Miss These @RTSCharlotte 2022 Summer Courses!
As we wrap up the Spring 2022 term, there are some amazing classes coming up for the Summer term here at RTS Charlotte. I can’t mention all of them, but here are a few highlights below.
In particular, I want to note that Dr. Michael Haykin from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary will be joining us to teach Baptist Polity and History (see below). Dr. Haykin is an exceptional church historian, and you will not want to miss his class this Summer.
These are all in-person, residential classes:
David Filson, Life & Theology of Jonathan Edwards – 2.00 Hours
The Life and Theology of Jonathan Edwards 3HT728/01 is
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Pastors, You Don’t Have to Be an Expert on Everything
Every once and a while I read a book that provides one of those genuine (and rare) light bulb moments. It’s not so much that the book changes the way you think about the world, but rather it explains why the world works the way it does. And in our ever-more-confusing world, that can be a game-changer.
One such book is Tom Nichol’s, The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters (Oxford, 2018).
Everyone’s An Expert
In this intriguing volume, Nichols catalogs how technological changes have provided the average person with unprecedented access to information. Through the internet, blogs, and the 24-hour news cycle, … Continue reading...
A Key Sign You are Maturing as a Preacher
As a seminary professor (and a pastor) I spend a lot of time helping students grow and develop as preachers. After hearing a student preach, I will often get coffee or lunch with that student and we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the sermon and how it can be improved.
Over the years, I have learned to ask students a key question that can reveal a lot about how they are developing as a preacher.
“What did you leave out?”
Most of the time that I ask that question I am met with a blank stare. Students expect to be asked about the content of the sermon—i.e., what … Continue reading...
5 Reasons to Come to @RTSCharlotte Preview Day on Sept 29th!
If you are considering seminary, you will not want to miss the RTS Charlotte preview day on Sept 29th. Here are a five things you’ll get to do if you come join us:
1. Take a tour of our beautiful 20-acre campus. We are blessed with a wonderful property nestled in the heart of south Charlotte. You will not only see our many buildings, but also our wide open lawns for picnics, sports, or just catching up on your reading outdoors. And North Carolina is especially beautiful in the fall!
2. Sit in on a class with our top-notch faculty. The Charlotte campus has 12 residential faculty members… Continue reading...