Since the church’s infancy, the multiplication of disciples has always corresponded with the multiplication of the word of God. One of the clearest statements concerning this reality is found in Acts 6:7, “And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly.” It is this principle of expounding and disseminating the word of God which has propelled the mission of the church since its inception over 2000 years ago. Wherever revival has occurred, the word of God has been central.
Often when we think of the ministry of the word our attention is rightly drawn to the pulpit and the preaching of the Scriptures every Lord’s Day. And while the pulpit is the primary ministry of the word fueling the various ministries of the church, it is not the only means by which the word of God is dispersed into the world. Throughout church history, the word preached on Sunday has been complemented by the word written in books, tracts, and pamphlets. John Knox, the 16th century Scottish Reformer, regarded his writing ministry as “preaching by pen.” In doing so, he was able to not only edify those within his own congregation, but also those beyond the reach of his pulpit.
For some time now, we’ve wrestled with how best to increase the ministry of the word beyond the pulpit at Oak Park. While books, tracts, and pamphlets are still viable means of communication, blogs and social media have become the dominant sources of information today. They allow readers to not only quickly digest content, but also to easily share it with others. Such platforms are an incredible tool for multiplying the word of God out into the world. For this reason, we’ve decided to start this blog with the aim of multiplying the word beyond the pulpit into the lives of the saints at Oak Park and those outside the walls of the church.
Each week we plan to deliver edifying content to help you think deeply about the things of God, contemporary issues, and the life of the church. We also hope to provide helpful reviews of books and other resources we’d commend for your edification. By God’s grace, we pray that this blog will serve as a rich resource for years to come with searchable articles aimed at equipping you to faithfully live the Christian life in the home, the church, and the world.
Chase Sears (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as the Lead Pastor of Oak Park Baptist Church. He lives in Charlestown with his wife, Sarah, and their five children.