On a monthly basis, local pastors assemble for the Lone Star Founders
Fraternal.What is a "Founders Fraternal" anyway?
According to the website of Founders Ministries, they are "ministerial gatherings to advance the reformation of our churches and to encourage spiritual vitality among our pastors." The concept is to help "encourage the growing reformation movement in the Southern Baptist Convention."
The Lone Star Founders Fraternal promotes the fellowship and edification of SBC pastors/elders and future church leaders (e.g., theological students) who seek to glorify God by the preservation and promotion of the doctrines of grace in SBC church life. To the end of fellowship and unity, we request at least general agreement with the "5 Solas" as described in the Cambridge Declaration, but welcome Baptists who can generally affirm any of the following: London Baptist Confessions of 1644/46 or 1689 or the Abstract of Principles (1858).
As a general rule, the plan is to meet every 2nd Saturday at 9AM at Providence Church for breakfast followed by some sort of semi-formal program of study and/or discussion.
Please contact with any questions or to RSVP, which is helpful in breakfast planning.
Upcoming 2008 Meetings:
August 9 - We will have a presentation and discussion regarding Tommy Nelson's "12 Land Mines of Ministry". We will cover Land Mines 9-12, having previously discussed 1-8.Past Meetings:September 13 - "Keeping Watch": We will discuss Richard Baxter's book, The Reformed Pastor, and issues related to how an overseer/elder should care for his own soul, those of the other elders, and the souls of the congregation. The text is available online for free.
Date TBD - Issues in Inerrancy - What does inerrancy mean? How important is it? Why is it a "Fundamental of the Faith?" What is the role of inerrancy in Southern Baptist life? What about translations and translation philosophy? These and similar issues will be discussed after a presentation by Mark Landers.
Date TBD - What's New with Paul? - Issues related to the "New Perspective on Paul" will be discussed. Some suggested reading:
- "New Perspectives on Paul", by N. T. Wright
- "On Becoming the Righteousness of God" (PDF), by N. T. Wright
- Wright's definition of "justification"
- Wright's definition of "righteousness"
July 12, 2008 - We had a discussion on issues related to Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, and New Covenant Theology with regard to a Christian's relationship to the Mosaic Law and standards of behavior expected.June 14, 2008 - Issues Related to "Calling" - We discussed issues related to "calling" (pastoral, ministerial, and/or to the eldership) and the role the church plays in confirmation and equipping.
April 26, 2008 - Dr. John D. Hannah gave a presentation on "Walking with God in Integrity: The Historical Witness." Dr. Hannah has had a distinguished career at DTS for over 30 years and is the author of many books, including Our Legacy: The History of Christian Doctrine, The Kregel Pictorial Guide to Church History, To God Be the Glory, and the recently published How Do We Glorify God? of the "Basics of the Reformed Faith" series.
March 8, 2008 - We had a presentation and discussion regarding Tommy Nelson's "12 Land Mines of Ministry". We examined Land Mines 5-8, with the rest to be covered at a future date.
February 9, 2008 - Lance Ward, pastor of Rowlett Bible Fellowship, shared "Musings on 7+ Years as a Shepherd" and guided us through discussion of pertinent issues.
January 12, 2008 - Mark Landers guided us through a discussion about the Holy Spirit.
December 8, 2007 - Keeping Watch - We discussed Richard Baxter's book, The Reformed Pastor, and issues related to how an overseer/elder should care for his own soul, those of the other elders, and the souls of the congregation. Far from exhausting the topic, we will revisit the book at a future date. The text is available online for free.
November 10, 2007 - We had a presentation and discussion regarding Tommy Nelson's "12 Land Mines of Ministry". We covered Land Mines 1-4, with the rest to be covered at a future date.
October 13, 2007 - Dr. Sam Tullock, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Wylie, shared of his wisdom gained through his many years of pastoral ministry.
September 15, 2007 - Principles and Practice of a Plurality of Elders - We dealt with the issue of governance by a plurality of elders, with a presentation and guided discussion by Jerry Halbrook. Jerry is pastor/elder of Parkway Baptist in McKinney and recently completed a DMin at Dallas Theological Seminary, where his dissertation addressed this issue. Some suggested reading:
August 11, 2007 - Theology and Practice of Prayer - We discussed questions related to the role of prayer in the life of a church and in the life of a church leader as well as the theology that dictates our practice. Related material:
- "What is the role of an elder?" (Desiring God staff)
- A Case for Elder Plurality in SBC Churches (Eric "Gunny" Hartman)
- Elders (a collection of articles, IX Marks Ministries)
- Biblical Eldership, an online abridgment of the book by Alexander Strauch.
May 12, 2007 - Evangelism from a Reformed Perspective - Rev. Dr. James Galyon presented on issues related to evangelism, missions, and outreach that flow from a biblical theology, rather than pragmatism and/or tradition. In light of God's providence and sovereignty in salvation, how do we fulfill our responsibility in calling people to Christ and hold the hearer to his/her responsibility to believe on the risen Lord Jesus that they may be saved?
- "A Summary Theology of Prayer", John Piper
- "What we've got here is failure to communicate (Trinitarian Prayer)", Eric "Gunny" Hartman
- "Prayer in the Life and Ministry of a Pastor", Mark Dever
April 14, 2007 - Racial Reconciliation, Church Desegregation, Ethnic Diversity and other related issues - Pastor James Womack of Destiny Church in Fort Worth was our guest speaker.
March 10, 2007 - The Lord's Supper - What does it mean? (e.g., real presence, spiritual presence, memorial, transubstantiation, etc.) Who should administer it? How often? With what? What are the requirements for participating? Any age requirements? Where should it be done? Read the handout.
February 10, 2007 - Discussion regarding supremacy of God in preaching in response to watching "Brothers, Preach" session from John Piper's "Brothers--Feel, Think, Preach God" series. See also John Piper's "Why Expositional Preaching is Particularly Glorifying to God" from the 2006 "Together for the Gospel" conference.
January 13, 2007 - Ecclesiastical purity (through church discipline, regenerate church membership, membership standards, etc.), in consultation with the following articles:December 9, 2006 - Discussion of recent events regarding fallen pastors and means to prevent sexual misconduct in the pastorate.
- Interview with Paige Patterson
- Born Again Baptists?
- Unregenerate Church Members Might Spell R.I.P. for S.B.C.
November 11, 2006 - Larry Vincent, elder/pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Mansfield gave a presentation on John Owen's Of Temptation.
October 14, 2006 - Participation in the Fellowship of Reformed Churches "Humble Orthodoxy" conference at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
September 9, 2006 - Discussion of Christianity Today article "Young, Restless, Reformed" and the growing popularity of Reformation Theology.
