Well today is the big day for Band of Bloggers. I must say that this has been a fun ride. I never thought that a little idea could turn into all this in a matter of a couple of weeks. I have only a few hours to nap before the marathon gets going, so this morning I thought I'd post the attendees as it stands via email notification. The names as you shall see are in alphabetical order. I have also included those who have emailed me who are attending who do not have blogs but are necessarily associated with the meeting as well as the wonderful volunteers who have graciously given their time and effort to assist me. Here they are:
Ricky Alcantar Humble Orthodoxy
Michael Beach i-Pastor
Michael Beasley The Armoury
Caleb Billingsley Pressing Godward
Adam Bishop Reformation Station
Peter Bogert Stronger Church
Timmy Brister Provocations and Pantings
Tom Brouwer Truthseeker
Josh Buice Practical Theology Discussions
Dustin Butts The Once Dead Poet
Tim Challies Challies Dot Com
Dan Cruver Eucatastrophe
Clif Cummings Grace Full Words
John Divito Reformed Baptist Thinker
Don Elbourne Locusts and Wild Honey
Ed Elliott Affections Fixed Above
John Estes God’s Fame for His Name
Dwayne H. Ewers Sr. The Gospel and the Kingdom
Ken Fields The World From Our Window
Alex Forrest Alex Forrest’s Blog
Kerry Gilliard Think!
Jon Grindell
Jim Harrison Spurgeonite Tabernacle
Joe Harrod The Harrod Family
Marc Heinrich Purgatorio
Mike Hess The World From Our Window
Travis Hilton Baptist Reform
Chris Hinton Truth or Consequences
John Hollandsworth Light Along the Journey
Bob Kauflin Worship Matters
Scott Lamb Wisdom of the Pages
Mark Lauterbach GospelDrivenLife
Garrett Lee Crux
Andrew Lindsey Call to Die
Paul Martin Kerux Noemata
Clint Miller Ex Quo
Chad Mondragon Vintage Faith
Stephen Newell The Silent Holocron
Chance Nichols
Shaun Nolan Pastor Shaun
Brandon Porter Covenant Life Today
Mick Porter Unveiled Face
David Price Espresso Roast
Daniel Randle Christ and Culture
Nick Reddin Truth or Consequences
Jason Robertson Fide-O
Brandon Rogers
John Rush Anvil & Fire
Matthew Sims Under Sovereign Grace
Terry Stauffer New Lumps
Justin Taylor Between Two Worlds
Jordan Thomas Solus-Christus
James Thompson Speak Plainly
Tad Thompson Total Truth
Garry Weaver
Steve Weaver Pastor Steve Weaver
Blake White Redeemed, Reformed, & Relevant
Adam Wilder
Brad Williams Sojourner
Adam Winters Slimer and the Real Erasmus
Danny Wright Carnivorous Caribou
Bret Rogers
Carolyn McCulley Solo Femininity (Church and Ministry Relations @ Sovereign Grace Ministries
Scott Anderson Director of Events & Books @ Desiring God Ministries
Ken Boer Director of Music (Covenant life Church, Gaithersburg, MD)
Mel Duncan Director of Church Relations @ Ligonier Ministries)
Kevin Meath Director of Communications & Print Publishing @ Sovereign Grace Ministries
Volunteers:
Brad Hughes
Chris Dilly
Ben Dockery
Ben Brado
Mark Dolan
Terri Coobs
Daniel Canales
Stephen Newell
K.J. Pugh
James Risner
It has been great to see many of you bloggers joining the Band of Bloggers Blog Directory. Let me encourage you to do so if you haven't. Also, James Thompson has already built a website template for The Band of Bloggers in which future posts will be made concerning the gospel, our lives, and the glory of God. It will serve as a residual and remembrance of what this is all about. Once the conference is over, the band of bloggers is just beginning. More on that to come later.
Finally, please pray for a great meeting for us. While the blogosphere has the tendency to be very polemical and divisive, it is important to affirm the essentials of our faith and rally our hearts, lives, and ministries around the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Lord would do such a work in us and through us to impact our world and the blogsophere for the glory of Christ. Thank you.
- Timmy Brister
8 Comments:
I just wanted to be the first to say great job today - very professionally done and from the turnout it looks to be an event that will continue in the future. I already posted on Dr. Mohler's announcement regarding his new blog on SBC issues. Thanks again for taking the time to put this together. I am sure the guys going to the Conference are even more thankful for the free rides and food. And BTW, it was great to finally get a chance to meet you face to face. We will have to get together for lunch or dinner some time this summer.
4/26/2006 05:27:00 PM
That is spelled Fide-O. :)
4/28/2006 03:18:00 PM
Thanks Jason, I will make the correction.
Interseting note: The infamous "Charles" has linked up this post on his blog (really a conversation between him and Bob Ross) stating the following:
The Southern Baptist Convention is now bearing the fruits of Dr. Mohler's tenure. His professors have been turning out "preacher boys" for several years now. Following the lead of Dr. Mohler himself, these "preacher boys" are good at blogging but not so good at building Southern Baptist churches. (A prime example is Timmy Brister, a SBTS student and United Parcel Service employee who blogs about Calvinism and Reformed theology almost every day but rarely about his preaching and witnessing activities. The SBTS has so many student bloggers it even allowed Timmy to sponsor his very own blog conference).
Obviously Mr. Charles does not read my blog. Furthermore, he wrote in the past concerning me the following:
How are things at UPS, Timmy? I also want to ask you if Southern students are having trouble finding church positions? I hear that they are. Is it true that Southern Baptist churches are shying away from SBTS students because of the Hardshell indoctrination?
Keep those packages on time, Timmy!
Charles
And when you think Charles had say enough, he went on to say:
Are you afraid of a little dialogue, Timmy? If you have something of substance to contribute, please do, but all you have done so far is complain irrationally
TO BOB: I believe Timmy wants us to shut up about the born again before faith heresy.
Blogging is fine according to Timmy as long as you don't blog a view contrary to his! Otherwise he would have complained about all the SBTS student blogs which promote the BABF heresy. But since he is not complaining about their blogs, but is complaining about mine, I can only surmise that it's the CONTENT, and not the DIALOGUE, that he has a problem with.
TO TIMMY: Keep up the good work at UPS, Timmy!
Charles
Then to make on last slam, he writes the following:
I visited Timmy's blog and found multiple posts by Timmy. There are so many in fact that I began to wonder when he has time to deliver those UPS packages or attend the class lectures of Dr. Tom Nettles!
Then I began to look at the comments section and found that most posts have zero comments. Some have one or two, and a few have four. It looks like no one is reading Timmy's voluminous writings!
It must be discouraging to write so much for so few readers. I guess the blogosphere has so many "born again before faith" bloggers that Timmy is merely one voice among many. And not a very loud voice at that.
Timmy: You're welcome to visit The Calvinist Flyswatter anytime! Just don't quit your UPS day job.
Charles
Ironically, when "Charles" linked to my blog from his blog, I did not get a single link or reference from his blog and have yet to receive one to this day. It seems to me that his countless readers must all be on vacation.
I decided to not pursue a "dialogue" with "Charles" for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which is the uncharitable and inflammatory nature of everything he writes whether it be a slanderous accusation or baseless provocation. In the past he has made the charge that SBTS students can't find positions in churches to pastor (hence me working at UPS) and now he calling me out on my life, conduct, Christian witness, and preaching.
Those who know me, who read my blog, who have been a part of my life know my faults, failures, and shortcomings as much as they know the fruit and blessings of the Lord in my life. Ironically, it is from the mouth of a complete stranger that calls into question my integrity and ministry. I am reminded of the words of Jesus when he said that "every carless word they speak" will be given an account on the day of judgment (Matt. 12:26-27). Given the serious and sobering nature of this judgement, I pray that I will not be reckless and careless in responding to such comments made by "Charles" or any other antagonist. I figured that I need not respond to the continuous venom spewing from Flyswatter but leave but entrust my life and doctrine to the Lord. What concerns me is my own tongue, not Charles', my own sin and judgment, not his.
So thank you Charles for being a vivid reminder that I place a tight reign on my tongue so as to speak what is honorable to the Lord and edifying to my brother, even if he disagrees with me. May the Lord use this to bring about greater humility and brokenness in my life and to not retaliate in defense to one who is supposed to already be dead to himself. Even so, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in His sight.
4/29/2006 05:05:00 AM
Tim,
You know I struggle with Charles. I so want to show him constantly that he is wrong, but it's so difficult to get the guy to listen to anything. When he's wrong, he avoids the discussion; when he can, he changes the subject; when he finds a small opportunity, he bashes his opponents; and when he could show charity and humility, he chooses not to. Charles, I think, will eventually go away, but guys like him will always be around. My prayer is that he doesn't infect people who might otherwise see Christ in the doctrines of grace and in the Founder's movement in the SBC. Dust your feet off man! God has great plans for you!
4/30/2006 01:55:00 AM
Thank you Daniel for your helpful words. At first, I must admit, I was angry that he would do such a thing, and I thought that I should vindicate my name and give a defense and what have you. But then I realized that I should not answer a fool according to his folly and that soft words turn away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. Furthermore, I should consider myself as one who is crucified with Christ and leave my reputation and character into the hands of my Savior who knows me and judges me.
I think you are right in saying that Charles and his blog will soon pass away. My only fear is that there gullible people out there who will actually listen to what he and Bob Ross are saying. I will venture to say that everyone has a right to speak, but not everyone has the right to be heard. I hope that Christians will not fill their ears and minds with such ungodly and untruthful talk.
I (and am sure others as well) choose not to read or pay attention to them lest they think they have an audience (other than Bob Ross that is). Let's not fall into the trap and temptation with their tactics!
4/30/2006 03:19:00 PM
Fide-O has an "e"
5/01/2006 03:14:00 AM
Jason, keeping holding me accountable! I know what it is like to get the name wrong. My blog has been called the following:
Provocations and Paintings
Provacation and Panting
Provocatin' Panties
And I am sure others. That's why I refer to it often as P&P. Correction made. :)
5/01/2006 10:34:00 AM
Thanks Timmy.
5/03/2006 03:10:00 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home