One of my favorite stories about calling comes from south Louisiana. A Pentecostal preacher was having some chest pains and was rushed to the hospital. It was quickly determined by the medical personnel that he needed open-heart surgery. So they put him Continue Reading
August 12, 2012
Biblical Hebrew by Dr. Miles Van Pelt—Reaching a New Generation to Study the Original Languages
Dr. Miles Van Pelt has a gift for not only bringing the original languages of the Word of God to life through teaching seminary students at Reformed Theological Seminary but also in making his scholarship accessible to diverse groups, from seasoned Continue Reading
August 11, 2012
On the Matter of Preaching from Difficult Texts: A Letter to our Students (with attention to 2 Corinthians 5:21)
My Dearest Students in the Pastoral Ministry: I write to you about a matter which will occupy your life as much as any other—the matter of preaching from a difficult passage. Indeed, after Continue Reading
March 18, 2012
Letter to a New Pastor in the Springtime
In the springtime when the golden, Welsh daffodils gather in glorious brigades—brave, young, mythical sentinels appearing out of the fertile earth, guarding a new countryside painted with a Creator's palette of happy color—and spring lambs are born; Continue Reading
January 10, 2012
The Secret Love Life of the Passionate Pastor: Paul’s Compelling Vision of the Pastoral Ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Every pastor should have a passionate love life. I remember my old mentor, Dr. D. James Kennedy, telling me that the pastor must love three things more than all others: God, God’s Word, and God’s People. I believe his commendation of these simple and Continue Reading
August 30, 2011 1 Comment
May We be a Place of Praise: Welcome & Welcome Back to Seminary
My Dearest Students in the Gospel of Christ: Welcome! And welcome back! I greet you in the matchless name of our God and Savior Jesus Christ! What an honor it is to serve you and your families and the outstanding campuses in our RTS system. God has Continue Reading
August 3, 2011 1 Comment
The Gift and Responsibility of Studying the Original Languages in Seminary
My dearest pastoral students in Christ: As many of you are just beginning your seminary life at our graduate school here at Reformed Theological Seminary, this marks your initial entry into one of the most challenging classes in seminary: the study of Continue Reading
January 23, 2011
What is a Seminary President?
One retired, well-respected seminary president once told me, soon after I was called to be president of RTS Charlotte, “Mike, here are my two words to you about being a seminary president: first, stay humble. Second, you know all of those great, grand Continue Reading
July 9, 2010
Acknowledge the Sin, Accentuate the Grace, Honor the Fathers: Why I love the PCA and RTS
Then he died at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor. And Solomon his son reigned in his place. 1 Chronicles 29.28 There has been some talk lately, quite recently, that has come to me about the publication of a book (by Peter Slade) claiming that Continue Reading
