Bijan Mirtolooi: Tools for Contextualization

Rooted Ministry

Bijan Mirtolooi: Tools for Contextualization

One of the great challenges for ministers today is being faithful to the gospel while at the same time communicating that gospel in ways that are relevant and understandable to your hearers. This is the challenge of contextualization: presenting the biblical gospel to people in language they understand and through appeals and arguments that land with them in force. After briefly exploring what contextualization is (and is not!) and why it matters, this workshop will present practical guidance for how to contextualize biblical truth for your ministry context.

Scott Sauls: Creating Belonging in an Age of Judgement, Isolation, and Fear

Scott Sauls

At a time when our country is increasingly polarized and antagonistic, this workshop from our 2018 conference in Nashville helps parents and youth ministers explore why and how we engage in true and meaningful friendship with people who are damaged, difficult, or simply different. Sauls explores Biblical texts that teach us to “love across the lines of our differences,” to go beyond the superficial and transactional acquaintances that so often pass for friendship, and to embrace others with love that is sacrificial and life-giving. Parents and ministers explore how to enrich their own friendships and to encourage teens to do the same.

Julie Sparkman: When A Good Desire Becomes a False God

Each of us longs for our children to have a passion for Christ, healthy relationships, and success at school. All of these things are good and healthy desires, but when parents lose sight of the gospel, these good things become idols. In the workshop we will explore how the gospel leads us to repentance and rest, setting us free to love our children with healed hearts.

Kevin Twit: The Formative Power Of Worship Songs And Why It Matters

Typically we think of singing in worship as a time merely for expressing our hearts. But what if the songs we sing are shaping our understanding of the Christian life? If this is true, how might it effect the kinds of songs we sing?