B21 would like to make our readers aware of the upcoming 20/20 Conference to be held at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This year’s conference will feature D.A. Carson, Tullian Tchvidjian, Danny Akin, and Tony Merida and will focus on the Scriptures.
This conference will look at questions like:
- In what way is the Bible “the true story of the whole world?”
- Why should I trust the Bible?
- What are some tools to help me read the more difficult passages in the Bible?
- Why does the Bible matter for my college classes, future vocation, and leisure preferences?
What: The Scriptures Come to Life (20/20 CONFERENCE @ SEBTS)
When: February 3-4
Where: Binkley Chapel at SEBTS
Speakers:
- Daniel Akin
- D.A. Carson
- Tony Merida
- Tullian Tchividjian
Music to be led by Matt Papa
The cost of the conference is $35.
Students may attend for a discounted price of $30.
The live video feed from Advance the Church Regional (begins at 1pm CST) and the B21 Panel (begins 5pm CST) will be available here… (VIDEO BELOW THE SCHEDULE)
Schedule – Advance the Church Regional: The Supremacy of Christ in the Local Church
February 28, 2011:
- 1:00 PM: Jim Shaddix (Colossians 1:1-8)
- 2:00 PM: Russell Moore (Colossians 1:9-14)
- 3:00 PM: J.D. Greear (Colossians 1:15-23)
- 4:00 PM: Tony Merida (Colossians 1:24-2:5)
- 5:00 PM: B21 Panel Discussion – “Relevant: Should We Do That in Church?”
March 1, 2011:
- 9:00 AM: Jim Shaddix (Colossians 2:6-15)
- 10:00 AM: Russell Moore (Colossians 2:16-23)
- 11:00 AM: Tyler Jones (Colossians 3:1-11)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:15 PM: Eric Mason (Colossians 3:12-17)
- 2:15 PM: Chuck Quarles (Colossians 3:18-4:1)
- 3:15 PM: Fred Luter (Colossians 4:2-6)
- 4:15 PM: David Platt (Supremacy of Christ Among the Nations)
- 5:15 PM: All Participation (Colossians 4:7-18)
(If there are technical difficulties CHECK HERE)
B21 is thankful to New Hope Publishers for the opportunity to exclusively promote this week Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care. Make sure to check back on the release date of the book, Baptist21 will be giving away a free copy of Orphanology.
Below B21 will provide:
Here is what Jonathan Akin had this to say about Orphanology, to be released on April 5th:
“I am grateful to God for the conversation taking place in the church right now about the centrality of the Gospel in all of life. One place where this is clearly seen is in the areas of adoption and orphan care. Those who have been adopted into God’s family as brothers of King Jesus are called to be those who image their Father by caring for the orphan. Tony Merida and Rick Morton have done the church a huge favor with this book because they have clearly shown that Adoption and Orphan care are Gospel issues and have given us intensely practical ways to move our churches to action. This book has especially impacted me because my mom grew up in an orphanage. For a decade she waited in vain for a father to come for her. This book will help churches everywhere say with their Lord Jesus to millions like my mom around the world ‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come for you!’”
Here is what New Hope Publishers had to say about the book:
When many people hear the word adoption, they think of it as a plan-B way to have children. Others tune out entirely, assuming it has nothing to do with them and their circumstances. And yes, it is true that not everyone is called to adopt. But Scripture and 145 million orphans worldwide do beckon us, the body of Christ, to care and act.
That’s why coauthors Tony Merida and Rick Morton have written their recently released book, Orphanology: Awakening to Gospel-Centered Adoption and Orphan Care, which they hope will bring adoption and orphan care into a new light for many readers.
The needs are urgent. Who will stand up for these tens of millions of children, often left on the street to fend for themselves in underdeveloped countries? Who will stand between them and unscrupulous criminals who would lure them into crime and prostitution? Or closer to home, who will step up to provide loving, Christian care for children in America’s foster care system?
Orphan care is more than just adoption. At the heart of orphan care is grace. Grace that flows from Christ’s redemptive work on the Cross. Grace that reconciles us with God. Grace that we extend through the care of orphans and others (James 1:27).
There is a scriptural mandate for the church to act on behalf of the neediest and most vulnerable among us. That’s why Orphanology is such an exciting resource. It answers the questions: What can I do? What can my family do? What can my church do?
With openness and integrity, Rick and Tony speak from first-hand experience, as both men with their wives have adopted multiple children from overseas. Their book covers practical ways to get involved such as:
- Assisting adoptive parents in down-to-earth fashion
- Raising awareness of the crisis in orphan and foster care
- Developing a fund to assist potential adoptions
- Hosting orphans for a summer
- Underwriting an orphanage
- Starting an orphan care ministry in the local church
In the end, adoption is only a reflection of the most important adoption, our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God. Indeed, the gospel transforms not only our identity and eternal destiny, but when rightly understood and applied, it will also transform how we see the world and serve the world.
Authors of Orphanology:
Tony Merida: Tony Merida serves as teaching pastor at Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He also serves as assistant professor of preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). In addition, Merida recently authored a book entitled, Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity. Tony recently announced that he will be joining the faculty at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and will be planting Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. Tony is married to Kimberly and they have five children – Angela, Jana, Victoria, James, and Joshua.
Rick Morton: Rick Morton is the discipleship pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is married to Denise and they are the parents of Nick and Erick, eight and seven years old. The Mortons are in the process of expanding their family through the adoption of two more children from Ukraine. Together, the Mortons were a part of cofounding Promise 139, an international orphan-hosting ministry based in Hattiesburg. In addition to local church ministry, Morton has spent more than a decade as a college and seminary professor.
Check Out the Foreword, Introduction, and Chapter one
To Pre-Order the book, click here
Connect with Orphanology
Reminder: B21 will host a panel discussion at the Advance the Church Regional being held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at Temple Baptist Church. The panel is entitled, “Relevant: Should We Do That in Church?” The panelists will include David Platt, Russell Moore, J.D. Greear, Tony Merida, Jim Shaddix, and Tyler Jones. The panel will be held from 5-6pm on Monday February 28th. Below you will see some potential questions for the panelists.
In order to be a part of the panel discussion, you must be registered to attend the Conference itself (Feb. 28 – March 1). The title of the Advance the Church Regional conference is “The Supremacy of Christ in the Local Church.” During this conference the men will teach through Colossians. The speakers include David Platt, Russell Moore, J.D. Greear, Tony Merida, Jim Shaddix, Tyler Jones, Fred Luter, Charles Quarrles, and Eric Mason.
Cost for Conference: $20 for students/$40 for everyone else – Register Here
Potential Questions for B21 Panel:
- Do we have to sacrifice being relevant to be faithful or vice versa?
- Do I have to go to “church” to be a Christian?
- Is it true that we are the church?
- How should we go about determining what we do in corporate worship? For instance, should we congregationally sing “secular” songs?
- What’s the deal with spontaneous baptisms?
- What should our main focus be in corporate worship?
- Is corporate worship for believers or non-believers? Should every sermon be evangelistic?
- Should churches exercise corporate church discipline and should a church go about instituting that?
- Topical vs. Book series?
- Technological pros and cons?
- Is small group necessary or just attendance of corporate worship?
- How much should a church “cater” to their members and how much should they intentionally avoid this to send their people out?
- When should you bring about change in a church when they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing in church?
REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR THE ATC CONFERENCE TO BE A PART OF THE B21 PANEL
Baptist21 has conducted a series of Post-SBC Reflection interviews. Up first is Pastor Tony Merida. Baptist21 is grateful for the ministry of Tony (we hope you will get to know it if you don’t) and we are very thankful for his graciousness in taking the time to answer these questions.
Bio: Tony is the teaching pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. Tony is a two-time graduate of NOBTS, with the final degree being a Ph.D in Preaching with an emphasis in Theology. Tony also spends time overseas teaching in Seminaries around the world. Previously, Tony served as senior pastor at FBC Kenner, LA and as the Dean of the Chapel at NOBTS. Tony has recently released a book entitled, “Faithful Preaching: Declaring Scripture with Responsibility, Passion, and Authenticity.” Tony has been married to his wife Kimberly for 7 years and they have adopted four children from the Ukraine.
What drew you to this year’s meeting?
What were the highlights of the annual meeting to you?
Why are you Southern Baptist?
What are your post convention thoughts about the passing of the GCR? What are next steps?
Tony has also written some thoughts on SBC 2010 at his blog in a post entitled, “The Grace of Friendship”
