This past week, I had the pleasure of going to the Annual Session of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.  I try to make it every year.  I really enjoy the breakout sessions that are offered and the great speakers that are usually brought in for the event.  I wasn’t able to attend the whole session this year, but had a great time while I was there. 

Mark Dever was a featured speaker this year.  I was able to catch his session as he provided some great teaching on the topic,

“The Church in the Future: Distinct or Extinct.”

I’ve always enjoyed reading Dever’s work and he definitely didn’t disappoint in person.  The main thrust of his session focused on whether churches need to change to reach this generation.  We’re bombarded with books, conferences, etc. with the latest and greatest theories and methods of reaching people in our culture.  Of course there are some elements of the church that need change, but we seem to be changing the wrong things.  We are losing the distinctives that distiguish the church as a counter culture that provokes the world.  It seems that most advocate for change in the name of more effective evangelism.  Evangelism gets distorted.  Rather than preaching the good news, evangelism becomes about manipulation.  In the name of change, the gospel message is lost and along with it, much of the theology and practice that define us as a peculiar people.  The church is more than just evangelism.  Dever likened this to a club formed by neighborhood children.  The kids in the club haven’t really figured out the club’s purpose other than to get more kids to join.  Unfortunately, that is fairly descriptive of many of our churches.  It’s time to abandon the gimmicks of church growth and return to a biblical understanding of the gospel, conversion and life in the body of Christ.  So that we, with the Apostle Paul, can say that we come, “not with excellency of speech or of wisdom” but determining, “not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (I Cor 2:1,2)

As I said, I really enjoyed Dever’s segment.  I also appreciated that he gave out free copies of his book, “What is a Healthy Church,” which I’ve already started reading through.  I’m finding it to be pretty useful already.  Plus it’s a quick and easy read.

Here’s a link to the book on CBD if you’re interested:

What is a Healthy Church By Mark Dever / Good News & Crossway What is an ideal church, and how can you tell? How does it look different from other churches? More importantly, how does it act differently, especially in society? Many of us aren’t sure how to answer those questions, even though we probably have some preconceived idea. But with this book, you don’t have to wonder any more. Author Mark Dever seeks to help believers recognize the key characteristics of a healthy church: expositional preaching, biblical theology, and a right understanding of the gospel. Dever then calls us to develop those characteristics in our own churches. By following the example of New Testament authors and addressing church members from pastors to pew sitters, Dever challenges all believers to do their part in maintaining the local church. What Is a Healthy Church? offers timeless truths and practical principles to help each of us fulfill our God-given roles in the body of Christ.

Technorati Tags: Mark Dever, 9 Marks, Healthy Church, Evangelism, Gospel, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina