Dr. Ed
We have spoken in the past and you used to remeber me. I studied under you at Southern. Any way my wife and I just moved to a tuff area in Eastern Arkansas. We feel led to plant a bi-racial church. The comminuty is 65% African american and there is not a strong contemporary work that is open to a biracial mix. Any tips on how to get started and where to find help.

Thanks
IN HIM
Alex BEll

Alex,

I do remember you... and that answer is a big question. If would read Church Planting in the African American Context by Hozell Francis and Ratliff & Cox, Church Planting in the African-American Community to learn about church planting in those contexts... then I would get under the mentoring of some pastors who have done a bicultural church plant.

Ed,
I was going to ask a question on F&T, but then I thought about how many people would read it and decided against it. Here's the question: "Where did you get those glasses?" As a follow up: "Where can I get some glasses like those (my daughters tell me that they are cooool)?"

Seriously, thanks for helping us in Norfolk. It was an encouraging time for me personally and very transforming for our leaders. Thank you for being a passionate voice in our convention and leading us forward in honoring God and fulfilling His mission. A little serious for me, I know :).

Look forward to more time together.

Eric

Eric,

I believe it is Dr. Stetzer's desire to help the church be as intentional and effective as possible ... and look good while doing so. Your question about his glasses would be most welcome at Facts & Trends Online!

Jenny Rice, FTO managing editor

Jenny, thank you for affirming Ed's motivation with his glasses ... and I'm sure he hits the mark completely. I am also glad that F&T will allow such hard-nosed cultural conundrums [now that sounded pastoral :)].

Eric

Oh, Eric, don't you have a megachurch to pastor? Grin.

Good to hear from you! And I enjoyed the time at Norfolk.

Thanks,

Ed

There seems to be a high rate of disengagement of our youth from church when they hit college. There also seems to be a growing interest in apologetics and worldview study for youth. In light of this, it would be interesting to see statistics for continued youth involvement in church out of those communities which employ apologetics training versus those that do not. I am inclined to think that it makes a difference to know in advance what is waiting for a student out in the world, and being equipped both morally and intellectually to respond.

Bro. Ed,

I appreciate all you have done in your time at Lifeway. Your sermon at the SBC this year that I watched on line was convicting.

I found an article you did titled Understanding the Emerging Church and I think you have a book on the subject can you direct me to more articles and maybe short booklets?

Blessings,
Jack K.