GERMANTOWN, Tenn. (BP)–“God is not in the remodeling business,” James T. Draper Jr. said during LifeWay Emphasis Days Oct. 8-9 at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
“He is in the business of making things new … through our relationship with him,” said Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Various LifeWay personnel visited the Germantown, Tenn., campus to speak in classes on such topics as biblical translation, transformational learning, using technology to enhance ministry, and handling church conflict. Curriculum and other resources also were on display as resources for assisting the seminarians in their future ministries.
Additionally, a free health screening with personnel from Baptist Hospital in Memphis was offered to students.
The culmination of the two-day event was a luncheon sponsored by LifeWay in which Draper and Michael Spradlin, president of Mid-America, addressed the faculty and staff.
In chapel, Draper based his message on Isaiah 43:18-20, which speaks of God’s mercy and continued love even in the face of Israel’s unfaithfulness.
Warning against being “rear-view mirror” Christians, Draper said Jesus’ followers should not dwell on past failures — or successes — because God can be fresh and new in their lives every day. He is a “present-tense” God who is already doing new things in their lives and will continue to do new and exciting things in the days ahead, Draper said.
God will make a way where there seems to be no way, Draper also said, recounting that when he was a pastor he often prayed that God would do something in the worship service that was not printed in the bulletin.
Brad Thompson, dean of students and chairman of the Mid-America’s Christian education department who serves as the liaison professor with LifeWay, said, “As Southern Baptists, we are always ready to help introduce our students to the unique products and services LifeWay Christian Resources has to offer. They have been a great blessing to the students, staff and faculty of our campus.”
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