Winter Ministry Opportunities

January 14, 2012 Leave a Comment

With the first winter snow still on the ground, I thought I would give everyone an update of some ministry opportunities for Jennifer and I over the next few months.  God keeps opening doors for us to serve Him in a variety ways throughout His kingdom.

@Campbellsville University.  Of course, I am teaching a full load this time including classes in Leading Small Groups, Children’s Ministry, and Gospel & Postmodernity.  My Small Groups class includes 17 students who will each be leading a small group of their own.  The potential is to see over 100 student discipled in a network of small groups based out of our class.

Jennifer is also teaching Women in Ministry this semester as an adjunct instructor.  She has 22 in her class which is the most this class has ever had.  She gets back to her Ph.D. course work in February.

@KyBaptist Imagine Conference.  February 10-11, I will be one of the key note speakers at the 2nd Imagine Preschool and Children’s Ministry Conference at Parkway Bapt Church in Bardstown.  Last year there was over 500 people in attendance from around the state.

@BCM Valentine’s Service.  Jennifer and I get to share with the Bapt. Campus Ministry students this semester on biblical manhood and womenhood during their V-day worship service.  This will be the first time I’ve been asked to speak to a BCM group since we’ve been back to CU.  Very excited.

@Lowell Avenue Baptist Church.  In March, I will be leading an one-day Bible Study Teacher training event at Lowell Ave. BC, a church here in Campbellsville.  A great church led by Pastor Dave Walters and Assoc. Pastor Trent Creason.

@Lancaster Baptist Church.  I continue serving as the interim pastor of LBC.  We have agreed as a church to walk together in the 90 Day Vision which attempts to make an impact on every generation in Lancaster and Garrard Co. in the next 90 days (Jan. 8 till April 8).  We are praying for over 600 in attendance on Easter weekend, which would be the largest attendance in more than 8 years.  God is able to do abundantly more than we could think or ask (Eph. 3:20).

Finally, in March Jennifer and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary with a special trip.  Our anniversary is actually on April 6, but that is on Good Friday.  Not the best day to travel.  So during spring break, we will take some time to thank God for 10 great years together and rekindle our relationship with a no-kids trip to a warm location.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Travel

InGen Photo Shoot

January 4, 2012 Leave a Comment

Thanks to CU Communications Office for taking this photo shoot of my Intergenerational Ministries course.  These are some of my best students in one of the best classes ever.

Caleb & Brad

Chelsi & Austin, Kristen & Chance, Me & Nathan

 

Darryn, Warren, Me & Chad

 
  

Caleb, Holly D, Brandon, Nathan, etal

 

Anna, Holly D, Michael, Caleb

   

Instructions for the Class

 

Austin, Warren, Darryn, Chad, Brandon T, Brad, Sarah, David, Brandon B, Brad N

  
 

Chad, Brad T, David, Brandon B, Brad N

  

Chelsi, Kristen, Anna, Mendi

 

InGen from the Backrow

Filed under Life, Ministry, Study, Teaching

Two Faces of Discipleship in the 21st Century

December 31, 2011 1 Comment

As most of you know, discipleship is very important to me.  How a person grows in their faith in Christ has been a passion of mine for quite some time.  In this postmodern, post-Christian digital age, I think we have two primary avenues to develop in our faith as followers of Christ: Person-to-Person and Person-to-Content. 

Person-to-Person Discipleship involves at least two people, possibly more, who have a general knowledge of each other.  It is more relational and communal.  There is a human touch and presence that can be felt. 

Person-to-Person discipleship might include:
- Listening to your pastor preach on Sunday mornings
- Attending a small group on Tuesday nights
- Being in an accountability group
- Having a one-on-One mentor
- Attending retreats, events, conferences, workshops, seminars
- Going through biblical and pastoral counseling sessions

Person-to-Content Discipleship is more individualistic and less communal.  It is when a Christ followers seeks out content for their own personal growth without any direct contact with another person.  For the longest time, this was done through reading Bibles, books and literature, but now it comes mostly in digital form.

Person-to-Content discipleship might include:
- Reading a study Bible
- Reading Christian literature on a Kindle or eReader
- Listening to a sermon podcast from any pastor in the country
- Perusing a Christian e-zine on an iPad or iPhone app
- Attending a worship service online
- Listening to the Bible read on CD or podcast
- Reading blog posts by Christian writers
- Receiving daily email devotionals
- Using online Bible study tools such as biblestudytools.com, blueletterbible.com, or mybiblestudy.com
- Taking a Bible course through an online university or seminary

As the digital age offers us more and more options for Person-to-Content discipleship, the danger to become less communal and more isolated grows.  We must remember that no matter how many virtual options there are, we must have people walk with us and us with them in this Christian journey.  Going solo was never part of Jesus’ plan.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching

2012 Thru the Front View Mirror

December 27, 2011 1 Comment

All leaders want to look forward and see what’s coming on the horizon.  Every year I write 5 to 7 goals for myself in several categories: spiritual, financial, marriage & family, career, personal.  I like to think, envision and dream about the future.  If you don’t have a target, you’ll hit it everytime. 

For 2011, I met 5 of my 7 goals (71.4%).  Not too bad.  Those were:

  1. Spiritual:  Finish Bethany Bapt Church well.
  2. Financial:  Wipe out medical and credit card debt and pay for everyone’s (Jennifer, Isaac and Ethan) school tuition in cash.
  3. Parenting:  Build the boys a tree fort and have a camp out.
  4. Personal:  Get below 170 lbs for the first time since we were married.
  5. Marital:  Determine Jennifer’s career re-entry plan.

I didn’t complete two goals: 1) career – find a publisher for Theology 4 Kids (my book).  I was turned down 3x’s.  Stink!  Or 2) financial - buy a new car in cash.  Both vehicles are still running fine and didn’t need replacing, which I am very thankful for.

So what’s on the horizon for 2012.  Here’s the list. 

  1. Spiritual:  Finish Lancaster Bapt well.  Ending an interim pastorate is like landing a plane on an air craft carrier.  You have to do it perfectly or a lot of people get hurt.  This will be my 4th landing.
  2. Financial:  Knock out a huge chunk of Jennifer’s Ph.D. tuition, maybe the whole thing in one year.  That would means a lot of extra work.  Summer school here I come.
  3. Marital:  Celebrate our 10 year anniversary in a big way.  Can we say Honeymoon 2.0?
  4. Parenting:  Read all the Gospels to my boys.  We are halfway thru the 7 Chronicles of Narnia books and it is going really well.
  5. Career:  Find a publisher and get a contract on the book.  Gotta keep pushing and seeking the right fit for this project.
  6. Personal:  Travel on the Apostles & Epistles Tour to Turkey & Greece.  This will complete my biblical lands cycle (e.g., Israel, Egypt, Rome, Italy, and Jordan).
  7. Personal:  Select a charity and get involved at a higher level.  Preferably something the whole family can volunteer in and support from our community.

What’s your goals for 2012?

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Study, Teaching, Travel, Writing

2011 from the Rear View Mirror

December 27, 2011 Leave a Comment

Usually I dislike reading The Year in Review.  Whether on TV or in magazines, I don’t find myself wanting to read what was hot and what was not.  I prefer setting goals for the upcoming year and moving forward.  But 2011 has been pretty cool for the Garrison family, so I would look back and look ahead.

In January, I spent time in Amman, Jordan teaching teachers which was a great honor.  Jordan has quite a few biblical locations which means plenty of sight-seeing.  It also meant spending some time with a dear friend and brother.

In the winter and early spring, Jennifer got to teach her first two college courses at CU and began the admission process for her Ph.D.  After years of being a full-time stay-at-home mom, we came to terms with her future career plan, once the boys are in school.  She loves teaching and loved the college environment, so doctoral work became her goal.  She got into the Ph.D. program in Family at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In July, I finished being the interim pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville and in August became the interim pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Garrard Co.  God keeps providing ministry opportunities in strategic churches where I can, hopefully, be a blessing in times of transition.

In August, Jennifer started school and everything changed at our house.  Her work demanded an intense regiment of reading, studying, and writing.  Our weekly schedule shifted to include multiple “Boy Conferences.”  This is where mom is in my office (which she calls the chamber of secrets) and we boys entertain ourselves.  I became Boy Conference president in October.  Ethan did a great job as president last year. 

Also in August, I received the Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year award from CU.  I couldn’t believe I won.  These first 3 years have been so amazing.  Additionally, I was placed on the SACS 10 Year Reaffirmation team, which means great job security for the next 4 years.

Finally in August, we also had both of our boys in part-time school.  Isaac as a half-a-day kindergartener and Ethan as a 2-day per week glowworm.  Both at the Campbellsville Christian Church Center for Christian Education.

In September & October, it was all soccer.  We learned Isaac is pretty good and is built for the game – good speed, good accuracy, leadership in competition.  Ethan continues to show great skill and ability in all things athletic.  He will be a force next year.

In December, we celebrate that Isaac has read 150 books so far this year.  He is seeking a new school record of 243.  And Ethan has been on the green light all semester long, which is a miracle in and of itself.  Jennifer has made it through her first full semester in flying colors and will be teaching “Women in Ministry” this Spring at CU.  My interim at Lancaster BC is going very well.  Work at CU could not be any better.

God is faithful.  Serving Him is a joy and honor.  10 years of marriage with hardly no disruption.  Two great kids.  We are blessed beyond measure.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching, Travel

Merry Christmas from the Garrison’s

December 15, 2011 1 Comment

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas.  And no, I am not the Grinch.

Filed under Family, Life

Who Wrote the Bible on ____________ ?

December 6, 2011 1 Comment

I’ve heard that Vince Lombardi wrote the bible on the power sweep and John Wooden wrote the bible on the man-to-man defense.  Everyone knows that David Copperfield wrote the bible on performing spectacular illusions and magic and Johnny Carson wrote the bible on late night comedy monologues. 

You hear this phrase all the time.  When people want to say something is authoritative, documented truth, the primary source for that topic or discipline, they use the phrase that it is ”the bible” on that subject. 

So here is my question.  Why do we use that phrase?  In a secular, post-Christian, post-religious culture as the United States is, why do non-believers still use that expression to describe authority?  They never say “this is the koran” on a company’s business practices or “this is the veda” on medical diagnosis.

I believe the expression is still used by many because deep down people still believe the Holy Bible is something wholy different.  It is not the same as other religious books.  I believe non-Christians who use that expression know there is explicit truth in the Bible, even if they don’t ascribe to that truth or even recognize it as relevant to their lives.  I believe most secular, non-believing Americans still view the Bible as authoritative, unique, distinct from all other books and because of that fact they’ve chosen to keep the expression in our American vernacular.  I am not sure if it will stay that way forever, but it remains in place today.

So when you hear that expression in your workplace or while talking to friends, ask why they use it.  It might be an opening to explain your views on the Bible and the truth it contains for your life. 

And that my friends is the bible-truth.

Filed under Life, Ministry, Teaching, Writing

Ethan’s 4th Birthday Party

October 31, 2011 1 Comment

Listen carefully as Ethan wishes for invisible powers as he blows out the candle.  What else would a super hero need for his 4th birthday.

Filed under Family, Life

My Testimony to Faith in Christ

October 31, 2011 Leave a Comment

This is my story to coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  I am eternally thankful to my home church, Lewisport Baptist Church, and the faithful men and women who led me to Jesus.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry

Jennifer Swoons Over Sam

October 25, 2011 Leave a Comment

My wife hasn’t smiled this much since our wedding.  I think she was in la-la land with Mr. Sam Bowie, former UK great and NBA All-Star.  I didn’t get jealous, I mean,  come on he’s a legend.

Filed under Family, Life

Is Postmodernity the Cause of the Young, Restless & Reformed Movement?

October 23, 2011 Leave a Comment

I think I am on to something here.  This idea has probably been written about by numerous authors and theologians in years past, but truthfully, I’ve not heard anyone say this exactly.  Here is my hunch. 

I believe the full embrace of postmodernity (or POMO) by the larger American Evangelical church over the past 40 years is a significant contributor to the re-emergence of reformed theology, especially among younger Christians.  There it is friends, my ity-bity contribution to the theological and cultural conversation of our time.  Let me further explain.

Postmodernity, in its American iteration, has several core convictions.  One, there is no absolute truth from religion, science, empircal evidence, period.  Two, there are no perfectly moral right or wrongs which every person must live by.  Third, no person can push their view of morality on any other person.  That would be intolerant which is the unpardonable sin for postmoderns.  And fourth, all religious expressions are equally valid even the choice to have NO religious expression at all. 

If you consider carefully the 4 basic POMO convictions, you can easily see where this worldview left an enormous void.  The void of definitive truth.  My thought is this void has been filled predominately by the re-emergence of reformed theology, especially among younger Christian who swoon over the Young, Restless, and Reformed (YYR’s) movement.  YYR’s  are demanding a hard look at Evangelical Christianity and are pushing for a radical pendulum shift. 

Unlike any previous Evangelical movement over the past 40 years (including the Billy Graham Crusades, the Jesus Hippies, the Mega-Church phenomenon, the Moral Majority, the Prosperity Gospel, or the Emergent Church), YYR’s are more biblical, more theological, more hostile toward vagueness, more passionate about the exclusivity of Christ, and are entirely intolerant of any biblical Christianity that is wishy-washy.  They want black and white period; reject all hints of greyness.

It is my contention that POMO created this vacuum.  POMO shifted our culture toward an extremely hyper-passive, morally confused haze that reformed theology (especially Neo-Calvinism) is diabolically opposed to.  YYR’s celebrates declarative theology and has a no-holds barred view on truth.  The movement has little room for debate and forces each individual to take a side: either you’re in or you’re out.  There is no room for POMO tolerance, indecisiveness and perennial ambiguity.  Get on the train or be left behind.

So here is my hypothesis:  Without postmodernity, there would not have been the renewed interest in reformed theology.  With postmodernity now in full bloom, reformed theology will be around for quite some time.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Study, Teaching

The Plight of the Spiritual Orphan

October 14, 2011 1 Comment

Over the past months, I have been asked to speak several times on the plight of the spiritual orphan.  We are in a time in which Evangelical Christianity in America is rapidly thinking and considering the care of orphans at an amazing rate.  Adoption, both domestic and international, have exploded.  Being foster parents to hurting or abandoned children on the rise.  Churches are beginning funds specifically to help families meet the cost of adoption. 

Believe me when I say I am thrilled this movement is happening.  But that is not orphan-care I am talking about.  I am not speaking of literal orphans, as in the ones living in orphanages or in the foster care system.  These children must be carried for, but these are not the ones I am trying to call Christians and churches to remember.

I am pleading for the spiritual orphan.  Spiritual orphans are boys, girls, and teenagers who live in homes with NO believing parents.  Neither mom nor dad, or mom and step-dad, or dad and girlfriend, none of them are believers.  These children have NO biblical, spiritual, or Christ-centered influence in their lives.  They live in every city, town, community and neighborhood.  While there are churches on nearly every corner, these children are slowing being forgotten. 

The culture says we can’t bus them in anymore or have people cruise the apartment complex and pick them up and bring them to church.  Churches and caring Christians have to have permission slips and medical release forms for everything.  There is a real fear of child predators and abduction among most families.  Even a backyard Bible club in a neighborhood is viewed as some suspect cult trying to indoctrinate unknowing children.

Because of these cultural dynamics and a thousand others, more and more children and teenagers are being forgotten.  It becomes too hard to find a way to connect and reach them for Christ.  Churches tend to only want children and students who have believing parents.

But we must reach them for Christ sake.  And when they do come to faith in the Lord Jesus, we must care for the spiritual orphan as our own family.  They are our adopted little brothers or little sisters in Christ.  They have no mom or dad to care for their spiritual needs.  They have no parent to pray with them or read them a Bible story.  They have you!  You, their church family.  Their older brothers and sisters in Christ.  Their only Christian family.

Please, please remember the spiritual orphan.  I was one of them.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Blog Sabbatical Over

October 7, 2011 Leave a Comment

My official month long sabbatical from the blog is now over.  I am back and blogging away.  It was good to be gone for a while, but even more enjoyable to get back in the swing of things.  I hope my regular readers haven’t given up on me.  I just needed a bit of a break as the new semester kicked off.

But to give a quick update on the fam.

Starting back at the end of August, I became the interim pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Garrard Co.  This is the fourth interim pastorate I have been asked to serve.  LBC is awesome.  The congregation is very loving and community-oriented.  In just 7 weeks, we’ve already had a huge 9-11 service for local police, firefighters, EMS and first responders.  Last Sunday we hosted nearly 100 fall athletes and marching band members from Garrard Co. High School and Middle School.  I anticipate being at LBC through the year and possibly some into 2012 as they search for a new pastor.

Jennifer started something significant in August as well.  She officially became a Ph.D. student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  She is completing her Ph.D. in Family Ministry.  This has been a great shift in our family as she needs a lot of time throughout the week to study and do homework.  It will take her about 4 years total to complete the program, but I am thrilled for her.  She continues to be an adjunct at CU.

The boys are doing great and playing lots of soccer.  Isaac is dominating his Under 6 league having scored nearly 30 goals in 4 games.  He is faster than lightning.  Ethan’s Little Feet Soccer just finished this week.  He will be ready for U6 next year.  The Garrison boys might be a force to reckon with in Campbellsville Youth Soccer for years to come.

Thanks for checking in.  I got some posts in the hopper just waiting to come out.

Filed under Family, Life, Ministry, Preaching, Teaching

Fake 1988 Yearbook Photo

October 7, 2011 Leave a Comment

One of my students made this fake picture of me from 1988.  This is so funny.  I wish I’d sported the Andre Agassi look this well.

Thanks to Brad Nally for the imaginary trip down memory lane.

Filed under Life, Teaching

CU Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year

September 5, 2011 2 Comments

This past Wednesday, I was awarded the Campbellsville University Non-Tenured Faculty of the Year Award.  I am honored and very humbled to have been presented this award after only 3 years at CU.  I am thankful to my Dean Dr. John Hurtgen, my Vice President Dr. Frank Cheatham and my President Dr. Michael V. Carter for choosing me for this honor.

After the convocation, I got to stand with my mentor and colleague, Dr. G. Ted Taylor, who has been teaching at CU for 17 years.  He has been so influential in my life as a minister and an educator.  In many ways, we share this award together.  If there was no GTT, there would be no G-Train.  

The baby blue Ed.D. garb was working that day.

Filed under Leadership, Life, Ministry, Teaching

The Delightful Cooking Show

September 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

This is how we celebrate Labor Day by making our own cooking show.  Buttery yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing and festive holiday sprinkles.

Filed under Family, Life

Isaac Reads His First Book

September 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

I know he is only 6 (as of last week) but reading your first book in a family of book nerds is pretty important.

Filed under Family, Life

Isaac’s 6th Birthday

September 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed under Family, Life

A Call to Garrard County

August 17, 2011 2 Comments

This Sunday (August 21st), I have the great honor of preaching a trial sermon to become the interim pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church in Garrard County.  I am so excited about this possibility and opportunity to serve an excellent church with a passion for the Gospel and mission to reach people for Jesus. 

This interim will be slightly different than the other three I’ve been involved with.  This will be a 2-day a week experience, instead of the Sunday-only setups before.  If called, I will teach the Wednesday evening small group for adults and be available to work with staff and leadership groups before or after that meeting.  On Sunday, I will preach the Sunday morning service and be available to meet with deacons or the search committee as needed. 

I will be surrounded by an outstanding staff of brother-pastors: Associate Pastor Michael York, Worship Pastor Nehemiah Wilkinson, and Youth Pastor Stephen Brogli.  These men are full devoted to the Lord and He is using them greatly in His kingdom work.

The vote will be at the end of the Sunday morning worship service.  If affirmed and called, I will begin in full on Sunday, August 28th.  I am so thankful for the local church and the small part Jesus has called me to play in serving His bride.

Filed under Family, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Preaching

Adventuring Hiking with the Boys

August 11, 2011 Leave a Comment

Filed under Family, Life

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