It was my privilege to speak recently at the 150th anniversary celebration of the St. Joseph Baptist Association in Northwest Missouri. The association was founded in 1871 and now has 46 cooperating churches. They have maintained a consistent witness for the gospel, cooperated on multiple ministry efforts, planted churches, and otherwise extended the gospel in creative and effective ways. My first pastorate from 1982-89, at Green Valley Baptist Church, was in this association. It was an honor to revisit my ministry from that era and reconnect with several leaders and church members from 30 years ago.

This experience reminded me of the durability of churches and ministry organizations. During tumultuous times it’s natural to question our durability and wonder if quivering foundations will lead to collapsing ministries. Not necessarily. Ministry organizations, particularly churches, are remarkably resilient. Why?

Despite the contemporary emphasis on the importance of leadership, that’s not the answer. Neither are financial resources, program development, or any other human-generated aspect of our work. Christian ministries are durable because God sustains them. Leaders have a role, to be sure, but our role is limited to prioritizing and staying centered on God’s sustaining resources.

Christian ministries have durability if they rest upon, draw strategy from, and obey the Bible. They last if they remain centered on Jesus. They last if they depend on the Holy Spirit to empower their work. They endure as long as the gospel remains their central message—sharing it, living it, and uniting around it. Word, Jesus, Spirit, gospel—these are the eternal aspects of our work that sustain us. Churches and ministries that trust these resources will endure. Their durability will outlast internal conflicts, external threats, and the ups and downs of leadership decisions.

While leaders should do all they can to bring the best training, strategy, and practices to bear in every generation, our most important contribution to our organizations is keeping them leashed to God’s resources which sustain his work. Our priority is the Word of God, the person and work of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the message of the gospel. If we get these things right, we are building on a solid foundation. If we don’t, what we built won’t last—no matter how strong it may look in the moment.

Durability depends on God’s resources, not our ingenuity. That’s good news during shaky times. We know God will sustain us because his resources provide a sure foundation.


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Declining Religious Affiliation

Dr. Iorg evaluates why churches in the US may be declining and emphasizes that the gospel must take center-stage in the church’s mission.

Jeff Iorg
President
Dr. Jeff Iorg is the president of Gateway Seminary. Prior to his service at the Seminary, Dr. Iorg was the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention for almost ten years. He was also the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon, and has served as a pastor in Missouri and a staff pastor in Texas.

Reclaiming Manhood

Dr. Iorg discusses what it means to raise men in today’s society.

Jeff Iorg
President
Dr. Jeff Iorg is the president of Gateway Seminary. Prior to his service at the Seminary, Dr. Iorg was the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention for almost ten years. He was also the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon, and has served as a pastor in Missouri and a staff pastor in Texas.

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Lead On Podcast
May 28, 2023

Dealing with Angry People

There is a lot of anger in the world right now and a lot of that anger is spilling over into the church. This week Dr. Iorg discusses different ways to engage with and disciple angry people in your ministry.

Lead On Podcast
May 21, 2023

Preventing “Let Down” Sundays

Easter and Christmas are just a few of the major Sundays that demand a lot from leaders and volunteers. How do you prevent burnout or “lagging” Sundays for the week after? 


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Spirituality of Jonathan Edwards | JEC at Gateway Seminary

Dr. Chris Chun hosted a digital symposium with Dr. Michael Haykin and Dr. Robert Caldwell to discuss Edwards’ spirituality, devotional life and theological impact in American Christianity.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Faculty Dialogues: Dispensationalism or Not

In this episode of Faculty Dialogues, Dr. David Rathel and Dr. Paul Wegner held a live discussion on their views on dispensationalism.

David Rathel
Associate Professor of Christian Theology
Dr. Rathel is the associate professor of Chrisitian Theology at Gateway Seminary. Prior to Gateway, Dr. Rathel supplied pastoral care to churches in the United States and Scotland, served as an Adjunct Professor of Theology and Philosophy for the Baptist College of Florida, and provided teaching assistance for the University of St Andrews.

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