So, I decided to make the switch. I was brought up with the King James Bible and struggled through it as a young Christian. In my late teens, I switched to the NIV and have studied and preached out of it for 20+ years, now. Somewhere along the line, I picked up a strong distaste for more paraphrastic “translations” of the Bible. I know that some of you will say that the NIV is somewhat paraphrastic, in places. I concede that.

At some point you have to strike a balance between readability and the detailed accuracy of translation. It is that way for all of us. The Holman Christian Standard Version came out not long after the NIV translators began to make noise about a “gender nuetral” translation. I started investigating.

Long story short – I went and bought the “Minister’s” HCSB last night at Lifeway. I bought this version, although it is way overpriced, because it was a single column printing with simple footnotes at the bottom of the page. It is apparently overpriced because there are all kinds of helps in the back for ministers. I guess it might be good for someone starting out, but I don’t need a wedding ceremony or a ceromony for a building dedication, having done both.

To my surprise, however, there were a few nuggets. Criswell’s article about reaching children was good. I think I have read some or all of it before, and quoted a couple of things from it, but well worth having.

Another interesting nugget was an article by Jimmy Draper on 21 Essentials of Authentic Ministry. I thought several points were particularly salient as they relate to the current climate of the SBC.

I’ll give you the bullet point version.

1. Don’t neglect your personal walk with the Lord.

2. Make time for your family.

3. Practice the ministry of encouragement.

4. Never make a decision when you are discouraged or depressed.

5. When your heart is right withe God and you are confident in that relationship, understand that doubt never means “yes.”

6. Be open and honest.

7. Always return your phone calls and answer your mail.

8. Don’t let anger be a pattern of your behavior.

9. Be quick to forgive mistakes.

10. Let your preaching flow from the Bible.

11. Always be prepared to preach.

12. Don’t flirt with temptation.

13. Cooperate with your fellow believers.

14. Be a steward of your position and influence.

15. Pour your life into a few people.

16. Cherish and protect your friendships.

17. Give credit to other people.

18. Keep confidences.

19. Lead by example.

20. Practice sevant leadership.

21. When you are wrong, admit it.

We might all take a word from Jimmy T.

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