This blog--one of over 600 million--is uniquely devoted to Uncommon Christian Ministries (www.UncommonChristian.com), the preaching and writing ministry of Dr. Francis Kyle. And to all things James Brainerd Taylor (1801-1829), the recently rediscovered Princeton University and Yale Seminary-trained evangelist, cousin of famed Protestant minister David Brainerd (1718-1747) and third generation admirer of pastor-theologian and Brainerd biographer Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758).
Formed in 1947 in Atlantic City, N.J., CBAmerica has over 1,200 churches in the U.S. and over 200,000 church members. CB Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) consists of some 240 churches.
Among its four seminaries, Denver Seminary (Colorado) and Western Seminary (campuses in Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento and San Jose, California) are members of CBAmerica.
On Tuesday I called at ten houses. At most of them I presented one or more [Gospel] Tracts such as I thought likely to be useful. This was the fourth of July.
In the evening I had many reflections on the manner which I had spent the day, so totally different from that in which I had heretofore spent that anniversary. O how much greater cause of triumph to be instrumental in delivering one soul from the power of sin and Satan than to be the conqueror of nations! The contrast will be fully seen only above.
May today's Christian--American or otherwise--not take holidays off in our efforts at telling others about the sin-bearing Savior Jesus Christ who "came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).
"The Puritan." 1882. Restored 1995.
Springfield, Massachusetts.
Image of Samuel Chapin (1595-1675),
one of the founders of Springfield.
(I.F. Kyle III photo. Sept. 1, 2011.)
Recent research has shown that the 6 New England states--Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont--have now surpassed the Pacific Northwest as America's least churched region.
Please join me in praying for more Gospel-centered "uncommon Christian" evangelists, church planters and pastors in New England. And that the Lord would be pleased to spare New England's children and youth of the dark, Gospel-less upbringing I had in Connecticut (1976-91).
The New England region was once home to such godly American Puritans like Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) and to such evangelists like James Brainerd Taylor (1801-1829). It experienced the First and Second Great Awakenings and saw the establishment of America's earliest seminaries.
The region is in dire need today of spiritual revival, a fresh and mighty outpouring of Holy Spirit fire.
Historically, revival often happens in the context of the local church. Because this is so--and for the local New Englander or visitor--here are listings of some Gospel-centered churches in New England:
+ Church Search by 9Marks Ministry: Building Healthy Churches; and
+ Members of Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals (F.I.R.E.).
Also, here are some informative and insightful articles from two pastors presently ministering in Vermont. Both men--Wes Pastor and Jared Wilson--relocated to New England and thus write from an outsider-turned-insider's perspective. May the articles be used of God to stir your heart to pray for New England, especially for the spiritually lost and for more Gospel laborers.
For an article on James Brainerd Taylor (1801-1829) that was posted on the blog for the American Society of Church History (May 27, 2012), see here.
As stated in the article, "My specific attraction to Taylor is his challenge to be an 'uncommon' Christian. Taylor defined an 'uncommon' Christian as an 'eminently holy, self-denying, cross-bearing, Bible, everyday' Christian."
"the scholarly study of the history of Christianity and its relationship to surrounding cultures in all periods, locations and contexts.
Through publications conferences, awards, research support, and other means, the Society encourages the study of the Christian church and faith, its figures and movements, in institutional and non-institutional settings.
We welcome scholars and practitioners of all backgrounds who employ traditional or newly developing methods, disciplines, and approaches to the study of religion.
The ASCH cooperates closely with the American Historical Association [est. 1884] and other scholarly societies and organizations in joint annual meetings."
In addition to ASCH, I am a member of four other entities. It s good to give one's name and money to societies and associations--academic or otherwise--that one believes are worthy of support.
A must-see video for believers and skeptics alike, as well as those unfamiliar with the Easter story.
From Igniter Media, the creator of the 6-minute, mini-movie "Follow":
Throughout the course of his public ministry, Jesus knew both the adoration and desertion of the crowds. Today, just as 2,000 years ago, the Gospel asks a question that demands an answer: Will we follow? This video illustrates this truth through the dynamic lens of a 21st-century social network.
Watch, learn and be blessed with becoming a follower of the One who is "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6), the Lord Jesus Christ.
"And [Jesus] said to all, 'If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Held at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, this is the 4th T4G conference. The others were in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
Centered around the friendship of 4 key leaders in the American church (Evangelical Protestant) today--Mark Dever (pastor, Washington, D.C.), Ligon Duncan (pastor, Jackson, Mississippi), C. J. Mahaney (Founding President, Sovereign Grace Ministries) and Albert Mohler (President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville)--the 5 other plenary speakers include Thabiti Anyabwile, Matt Chandler, Kevin DeYoung, John Piper and David Platt.
For the elective seminar/breakout session, I will be attending "Why the Reformation Isn't Over" by Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary.
Also included in this year's conference are 7 panel sessions ranging from "Inerrancy: Did God Really Say?" to "Complementarianism: Essential or Expendable?" to "Celebrity Pastor: Indecent Exposure?" to "Gay Marriage: Now What?" to "Preaching: Is There a Plan B?"
Here is the 97-second promotional trailer for T4G 2012:
Power. Power to change. Power to start anew. Everyone is looking for power. Political campaigns point to the power of people. Advertising agencies exploit the power of appetite.
But Churches have something different and better. Something seemingly implausible. Something that comes in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Churches have the Gospel.
Though we live in the world, we must not wage war as the world does, or fight with its weapons. On the contrary, we have divine power in the gospel to demolish strongholds. To redeem sinners. To create life. To transform and remake the universe. Talk about power.
Witness the underestimated Gospel.
Please join me in praying for the Lord's blessing upon this major biennial gathering.
Along with T4G organizers and the 9,000 attendees this year, I too am "convinced that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been misrepresented, misunderstood, and marginalized in many Churches and among those who proclaim the name of Christ."
And I agree with the goal of T4G: "Therefore, the goal of these friendships, conferences, and networks is to reaffirm this central doctrine of the Christian faith and to encourage local Churches to do the same."
May the American and global church get back to preaching and living the true, biblical gospel, with the gospel being defined by T4G as
the joyous declaration that God is redeeming the world through Christ, and that He calls everyone everywhere to repent from sin and trust Jesus Christ for salvation.
Each of us has sinned against God, breaking his law and rebelling against his rule, and the penalty for our sin is death and hell. But because He loves us, God sent his Son Jesus to live for his people’s sake the perfect, obedient life God requires and to die in their place for their sin. On the third day, He rose bodily from the grave and now reigns in heaven, offering forgiveness, righteousness, resurrection, and eternal blessedness in God’s presence to everyone who repents of sin and trusts solely in Him for salvation.
Here is a listening- and watching-worthy sermon jam, followed by the entirety of the same sermon.
The sermon is based on Luke 15 and its Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Prodigal Son.
The opening two verses of Luke 15 give the reason why the Lord Jesus presented these particular parables:
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.' So he told them [these parables].
Be blessed as this choice servant of God, uncommon Christian and former Bible college classmate of mine proclaims the truth as it is found in the compassionate, love-filled and non-discriminatory Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:21).
Granted Ministries--a literature, music, sermon and online ministry of Christ Fellowship in Hannibal, Missouri--describes the sermon and its Canadian-born and raised preacher this way:
[NOTE: Sponsored by three churches, the Fellowship Conference is also affiliated with the HeartCry Missionary Society and its founder Paul Washer. The 3rd annual Fellowship Conference is April 5-8, 2012, in Denton, Texas. Pastor Ryan is a scheduled speaker.]
Those who have sat under Ryan's preaching know that he can expound Scripture to the satisfaction of scholars while at the same time driving the word authoritatively into the heart of those who hear. His messages rarely fail to transform the listener, and they never fail to arouse some kind of response.
This message is no different and accomplishes a great many things.
Mainly, Ryan urges us to consistently and diligently preach the gospel to the "prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners" of our communities—and not in a distant and impersonal way, but in ways which bring us into close contact with their lives, even by inviting them into our houses.
Along the way, this sermon makes many other points.
It shows the graciousness of Christ, who practiced this kind of evangelism. It also confronts common misconceptions of holiness. It even corrects a misapplication of the biblical doctrine of sin, reminding us that even worthless sinners still have great worth before God.
As Christians, whenever we hear a preacher challenge us, we need to "search the Scriptures to see if these things be so" (Acts 17:11). It is our belief that God intends this message to work repentance into the hearts of many professing Christians lacking Christ-like love for sinners.
May you listen well, having asked God to open your heart to the word preached.
Among others available online via YouTube.com, IllBeHonest.com and other websites, here are some more messages by Pastor Ryan. Some are videos and some are audio only.
Be blessed as you are instructed and exhorted by this preacher of the Gospel.
+ "The Convicting Power of Grace," 4th annual Fellowship Conference, Denton, Texas, March 29, 2013 . . . "It is grace that spurs on radical obedience to reach lost areas around the world. It is not simply exhortations to be radical that result in people being radical. It is tender forms of kindness and grace that form the most radical discipleship in the world"
+ Various sermons at Immanuel Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, October 2007-present
+ Some portions of Ryan's sermons have been included in songs by Christian hip-hop recording artist Flame
Also, see here for some blog posts written by Pastor Ryan.
Information on Ryan's biography and the church where he ministers are both online.
10th Anniversary Surprise Service of Ryan's Pastorate
Immanuel Baptist Church Louisville, Kentucky
February 2012
For a 10-minute personal reflection video about Ryan that was given during the commemorative service from one of his mentor-friends (and former Bible college classmate of Ryan and me), Pastor Clint Humfrey of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, click here.
Immanuel Baptist Church. Est. 1887. Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Current building (shown here), built 1905. Spiritually revitalized, 2002-present.
See here for a 10 minute video on Immanuel's "Deeper and Wider" vision campaign (2013).
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