http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/ Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:14:13 GMT en-us Copyright 2013 Northern Seminary http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/being-loving/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/being-loving/ Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:14:02 GMT Churches have various reputations, and certainly not all good. (If everything was wonderful, why wouldn’t more attend and why would anyone leave?) Not many have the reputation of being loving. That seems so strange. We know God loves us ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/at-missio-alliance/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/at-missio-alliance/ Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:31:21 GMT I'm currently attending the inaugural conference of the Missio Alliance.  Northern Seminary is a major partner in the Alliance. The subtitle for the conference is "Renewing Evangelical Imagination for Mission," a great heading for this ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/at-missio-alliance/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/at-missio-alliance/ Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:45:55 GMT I'm currently attending the inaugural conference of the Missio Alliance. Northern Seminary is a major partner in the Alliance. The subtitle for the conference is "Renewing Evangelical Imagination for Mission," a great heading for this event ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-whole-story/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-whole-story/ Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:21:16 GMT Last Sunday in church I heard Easter described as the most important event of the year for Christians. The speaker, who was not the pastor, pushed home the point by stressing how much more significant Easter is than Christmas, and (on Easter ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/not-a-hobby/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/not-a-hobby/ Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:17:23 GMT One thing we cannot do with Christian faith is turn it into a hobby. It’s not like stamp-collecting, scrapbooking, sewing, game playing, or any pastime. It can never be something you pick up when you want and put down when you’re ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/day-one/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/day-one/ Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:20:56 GMT I would like to introduce a major new personal initiative. Today is the launch posting of a weekly President’s Bible Study on our website, and the first podcast episode appears today. Why?  I know there are countless sources of Bible ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/courage-to-voice-the-call/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/courage-to-voice-the-call/ Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:54:05 GMT John Ortberg has written a great article for Leadership Journal: “Call Forwarding.” I would encourage you to read it: Because he’s a great writer Because he has important things to say Because this article is especially ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/in-great-darkness-a-star-has-risen/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/in-great-darkness-a-star-has-risen/ Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:57:11 GMT Today my colleagues and I prayed for those experiencing unimaginable grief because of the Connecticut school shooting.  Their children and other loved ones have been stolen from them.  So we prayed for all who mourn, for those who have ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/we-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/we-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants/ Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:25:42 GMT I have not written for some time, almost entirely because of visits that have taken Alison and me many miles. First was to the UK for the very happy event of my second youngest daughter’s wedding, then to California for a conference and ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-essential-miscellaneous-of-leadership/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-essential-miscellaneous-of-leadership/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:45:56 GMT It’s been too long since I last wrote, and I apologize for that. We had a great end to the school year, including an amazing graduation service. We celebrate at graduation! – not just the achievement of the graduates but ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/humbled-but-grateful/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/humbled-but-grateful/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:06:43 GMT Northern Seminary is announcing today the appointment of Dr. Scot McKnight as Professor of New Testament.  He will join our faculty team during the summer and begin teaching in the fall term. We sense God’s hand in this move very ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/thats-my-church/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/thats-my-church/ Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:44:08 GMT Please click the link below and read the article by my former colleague in the UK, Sian Murray Williams: http://www.beyond400.net/entry/8-thats-my-church Sian and I worked together in my early years with the Baptist Missionary Society before ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep/ Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:33:25 GMT Wednesday night, intrepid Northern colleagues, students, and alumni lay themselves down in hope of at least a little sleep outside the new  restaurant immediately opposite the seminary entrance on Butterfield Road.  Here’s how ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/age-has-its-privileges/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/age-has-its-privileges/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:23:39 GMT Alison and I were minding our business, returning to the car with our purchases from the supermarket.  A young lady – with some friends nearby – approached.  She was very polite: “Would you mind if I had my photograph ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/greetings-for-christmas/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/greetings-for-christmas/ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:22:59 GMT My warmest wishes for Christmas to all friends of Northern Seminary. More and more I am learning how many friends we have!  I find Northern graduates and former staff all across the United States and even beyond its shores.  For ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/rome-and-ministry-in-a-tough-world/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/rome-and-ministry-in-a-tough-world/ Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:40:26 GMT Some cities can be identified from just a few photos.  Rome usually needs only one.  For some it’s the Coliseum: for others it’s the Vatican.  And they are only the beginning of a long list of significant buildings in ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/later-reflections/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/later-reflections/ Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:43:53 GMT Have you ever kept something so safe even you could not find it again?  It’s happened to me more than a few times.  For the last three months that has been true with notes I made after getting back from Beirut, last reflections ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/safely-home-thursday-june-23/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/safely-home-thursday-june-23/ Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:55:09 GMT I took 7 students to Beirut and the same 7 got off the plane with me at O’Hare airport on Thursday evening.  We went, we returned and we are the better for the experience. There were no ‘back in the USA’ photos taken on ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/baalbeck-wednesday-june-22/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/baalbeck-wednesday-june-22/ Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:00:29 GMT Our final day of activity!  I chose to: Make it more restful Let it be a highlight Still stretch our appreciation of the amazing history of the Middle East The first failed but the rest succeeded wonderfully!  In the morning we ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/beauty-to-take-your-breath-away-tuesday-june-21/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/beauty-to-take-your-breath-away-tuesday-june-21/ Tue, 21 Jun 2011 22:36:41 GMT Our day began in the company of the visiting seminary students from Canada as together we walked a whole 100 yards to the next building to ABTS, to the center operated by Skild.  The name stands for Smart Kids with Individual Learning ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/baptist-school-and-other-meetings-monday-june-20/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/baptist-school-and-other-meetings-monday-june-20/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:49:22 GMT This was one of those days when plans changed and we needed to adapt.  One of our students offered a new beatitude, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be stressed.”  I know too many, including me, who could do ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/graduation-day-sunday-june-19/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/graduation-day-sunday-june-19/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:49:55 GMT First thing this morning I made a friend in the corridor right outside the door to my room at the seminary.  He was impressively dressed and had excellent posture.  I think he was enjoying an early breakfast. Through the quick ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/visit-to-tyre-saturday-june-18/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/visit-to-tyre-saturday-june-18/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:06:27 GMT At last we would stand where Jesus stood, in the ancient city of Tyre in the far south of Lebanon.  It is a conservative area, so we had good instructions on modest dress and proper behavior. It is also very much still a militarized ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/last-day-of-the-conference-friday-june-17/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/last-day-of-the-conference-friday-june-17/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:55:03 GMT The number of breakfast casualties continues to mount.  Tiredness is not the only explanation for the lower turnout in the cafeteria.  A number seem to have headed off early, so there were also fewer in the conference hall when we ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/tough-but-good-day-thursday-june-16/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/tough-but-good-day-thursday-june-16/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 07:20:02 GMT It has been a tough day but a good day.  Tough in two senses.  One is that we’ve been dealing with hard issues, not always agreed with what has been said (but that is okay as we are being challenged to think in new ways), and we ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-other-browns-wednesday-june-15/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-other-browns-wednesday-june-15/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:45:09 GMT The weather was back to predictable normal for June in Beirut: hot and sunny.  First thing in the morning the light looked good for a photograph from the seminary over the city and towards the Mediterranean.  Dedicated to excellence, I ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/doctrine-and-culture-tuesday-june-14/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/doctrine-and-culture-tuesday-june-14/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:40:55 GMT The rain began last night, and it was still coming down as we headed for breakfast at 8.00 this morning.  Very unusual for this time of year.  No need to bring an umbrella, we had been told.  Hmmm. There were noticeably fewer ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-conference-begins-monday-june-13/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-conference-begins-monday-june-13/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:39:44 GMT I do not know of any college which has students in learning sessions all morning, all afternoon, all evening each day of the week.  But conferences do.  And that will be our week.  Thankfully this conference will be informative, ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/church-and-exploring-beirut-sunday-june-12/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/church-and-exploring-beirut-sunday-june-12/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:38:47 GMT It felt a minor triumph to have slept until 5.20 a.m.  But it is hard ever to feel joyous about getting up at that time when you know your body clock is at 9.30 p.m. and just getting ready to feel tired.  My companions all had some ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/safe-travels-friday--saturday-june-10-11/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/safe-travels-friday--saturday-june-10-11/ Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:41:36 GMT We left Northern Seminary with the inevitable group photo, but also with seminary staff standing in a circle with us while my colleague Dr Karen Walker Freeburg committed us all to God in prayer. Along with me is John Ball, Celena Jones, ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/a-privilege-to-be-in-the-middle-east/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/a-privilege-to-be-in-the-middle-east/ Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:14:06 GMT I will start with a confession.  Taking a group of seven students on a missions course to the Middle East pushes me out of my comfort zone.  I’m not sure why. It has nothing to do with being in Beirut, Lebanon.  From my ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/on-puddles-and-providence/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/on-puddles-and-providence/ Mon, 16 May 2011 17:33:15 GMT This spring I preached in southern Illinois on the Sunday at a conference which ran on into the evening. Alison had come with me. We were tired and glad the local pastor had booked us into a hotel overnight. We slept well and with amazing ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/a-parable-from-jc-penney/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/a-parable-from-jc-penney/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:48:19 GMT Northern Seminary is located right beside Yorktown mall.  Actually we were here first, and then the mall had the good sense to locate beside the seminary. So I never have far to go for one of my rare shopping expeditions.  In January ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/ Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:51:24 GMT There are problems, and then there are big problems.  Last week’s severe blizzard gave Northern Seminary one of those big problems. From mid afternoon on Tuesday (February 1st) through to mid day on Wednesday, heavy snow fell driven ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/dont-kill-your-horse/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/dont-kill-your-horse/ Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:16:14 GMT In December I attended a conference for seminary presidents organized by ATS, which is Northern’s main accrediting body. It was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and before you imagine I was sunning myself let me explain that the city is over ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/living-christmas/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/living-christmas/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:03:20 GMT I am frustrated and saddened by the phrase ‘Happy Holidays’.  I find myself telling everyone ‘Merry Christmas’ to emphasize that the season is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  I am not winning over ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/first-week/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/first-week/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:01:49 GMT For me the first week of fall term brings a curious mix of excitement and trepidation. The negative part of that is small, just the usual wondering if we’re as well prepared as we think we are, whether everyone will show up for their ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/going-by-faith/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/going-by-faith/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:00:12 GMT Have I had a great summer? The answer is an unqualified ‘yes’. I’ve spoken in churches and at conferences, vacationed back in the UK with family, and been a proud parent watching our youngest daughter, Catherine, graduate in ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/new-website-launched/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/new-website-launched/ Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:29:38 GMT During the month of July, I did quite a bit a traveling, including a trip to the Baptist World Alliance.  I am sure later posts will touch on that. However, today I am excited that we have launched Northern's refreshed website.  ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/mission-impossible/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/mission-impossible/ Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:32:18 GMT I apologize for not writing for far too long. I remember visiting the office of the pastor of a large church. On his desk lay a heap of correspondence, so high he had to sit to one side of the tower of paper to see across the desk. I remarked ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/merry-christmas/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/merry-christmas/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:49:49 GMT I like Christmas.  Yes, it’s too secularized and I’m developing a passionate dislike for ‘Happy Holidays’ as a substitute for ‘Merry Christmas’.  Yes, many have subsumed the real meaning to something ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/thanksgiving/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/thanksgiving/ Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:47:05 GMT I like a national Thanksgiving Day.  Maybe some Americans don’t pause to think much about how good that is, but a newcomer from the UK like me doubly appreciates it. There’s really no equivalent in Britain.*  Churches may ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/worthy-of-the-best/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/worthy-of-the-best/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:22:10 GMT One or two thought my opening blog wasn’t much of a blog and was more like a sermon.  Well, it wasn’t supposed to be a sermon, but I was trying to say something fundamental, something at the heart of our Christian experience and ... http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-cost-of-following-god/ http://www.seminary.edu/president-browns-blog/the-cost-of-following-god/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:25:03 GMT I didn’t set out to become President of a seminary.  I didn’t plan to live in the United States.  But God has often caught me by surprise, with purposes that were never in my mind.  I’ve never been disappointed ...