Today I drove past an unfinished church in Mansfield, Ohio. I am not quite sure what happened, but for several years this church has sat vacant. The structure is mostly completed, but little work has been done on the interior of the building. As far as I know, there are no plans to re-start the construction process. This means that tens of thousands of dollars were wasted on this half-completed church. Ironically, there is still a sign in front of the structure that reads, “To God be the glory.”

My church is the one in the church planting books. At least that's what I want it to be. It "launches large" and grows, quickly reaching peak numbers. Finances, volunteers, and the general constellation of concerns that go with a new plant gets solved with prayer and elbow grease. Sweet. I'll have a church that runs like a Rolex by sticking to well-worn recipes.

Several years ago, a good friend of mine alerted me to a book he was reading. The book was Denial of Death by Ernest Becker and to say the least, my friend found it engaging. To this day I have not read the book, however, I do like the title. I really believe that most people live in denial of death. Most people are willing to admit that death is inevitable, but few people live lives that reflect that reality. While reading Psalm 39, I was struck by verses 4-7.

Conference Date: NOVEMBER 4-5, 2011
REGISTER by clicking here: Conference Registration
Location: New Life Church, Gahanna, Ohio

In my brief tenure as a pastor, I have discovered that just the thought of “family worship” can be overwhelming to Christian parents. It seems to me that one of the reasons is because parents think they need to duplicate the Sunday morning worship service. The reality is that family worship doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow the KIS principle – keep it simple!

Registration is now open for "The Nowism of the Gospel" with Paul Tripp, November 4-5, 2011. To register, click here: Conference Registration

Please note, we will no longer be able to offer childcare at the conference. Please plan to make arrangements for young children. Older children are welcome to attend for free with their parents.

"The gospel . . . humbles and affirms us at the same time, since, in Christ, each of us is simultaneously just, and a sinner still. At the same time, we are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope."
- The Gospel Coalition, Theological Vision of Ministry
www.facebook.com/gcsquared

The Greater Columbus Gospel Coalition has scheduled its annual For the Sake of the Gospel Conference for November 4-5, 2011. We would be glad to have you join us as Paul Tripp speaks about "The Nowism of the Gospel." Please save the dates on your calendar and watch for more details and registration information to come.

Find out more about the Greater Columbus Gospel Coalition at www.facebook.com/gcsquared