In the fall of 2008, Ray Ortlund delivered a series of lectures on the power of preaching at Southern Seminary. I found the talks to be thoughtful, engaging and appropriately urgent, with Ortlund challenging students to be faithful and loving ministers.
Ortlund, 59, serves as pastor of Immanuel Church (PCA) in Nashville, Tenn. The church is affiliated with the Acts29 Network. In a recent blog post, Ortlund gave six reasons that provide an inside perspective on why he is glad to be a part of Acts29. Here are two of the six reasons:
2. I am inspired by the men in A29. They are doctrinally conscientious, risk-taking, hardworking, imaginative, manly, fun. If there are some rough edges, they’ll get knocked off in time. (Proverbs 28:1)
6. I have so much to learn about gospel ministry. I need wisdom to understand and adapt and contextualize with Stott’s “between two worlds” faithfulness. A29 specializes in missional wisdom. In my opinion, this is their greatest strength. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Ortlund holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, served as an Old Testament professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for nine years and has pastored churches in California, Oregon and Georgia.
And he is in Acts29.
Is this an odd combination? Are these two things — extensive formal, academic theological education and a new, burgeoning church planting network — that can’t go together?
Apparently not, according to Ray Ortlund.