How Ray Ortlund Became Foster Father to a Generation of Church Planters
I’ve lived this photo of Dr. Ray Ortlund. After years of being blessed by his books, I met him a few years ago. It went something like this: I dumped a huge duffel bag full of my life’s work onto his office floor. Books, devotional works, Bible curricula, DVD’s, CD’s and more that I’d written, produced and/or developed on behalf of countless ministry organizations, churches, publishers, and best-selling authors, used by thousands in churches and small groups around the globe. And I had decided to be done with it, to leave that particular world. Why? I had been torn on the inside for quite a while. The more work I did for Christian authors, publishers and churches, the more need I saw in my own life and in the Church, for good sound theology. And I needed to pursue that path with a different and more focused approach. So that day with Ray, only half-jokingly, I said: “thanks for meeting with me, this is what you’re getting into.” We talked, he stood, arms widespread, hugged my wife and I, and declared “Jesus loves you, we love you, and there’s a place here for you.”
Awesome. I could hardly have hoped for more. Ray is the well known, highly respected Bible scholar, author and pastor of Immanuel Church in Nashville.
It reminded me a lot of a conversation Mari and I had with another great pastor-scholar, Dr. Pete Alwinson, from Key Life (Steve Brown’s ministry in Florida). That was many years ago. Marietta and I were in a similar transition then, and pastor Pete listened, and was as gracious as pastor Ray in his affirmation and support.
Men like this, in their positions, are rare.
A lot can be learned from this short article, for pastors and churchgoers. Look at Ray’s story. You see imperfections, transparency, authenticity, which is so very encouraging. There’s hope for the rest of us! Ray’s a gifted teacher, but plain spoken. You can see more for yourself as you check it out. And I urge you to get ahold of his podcasts (The Real Jesus series is a great place to start) and hear his way with words.
An attorney friend of mine, well versed in ministry, recently saw Ray at a men’s conference. He mentioned that the message was “great.” And what he said next is what I’ve come to expect. “Ray,” he said “is different from most speakers.” Exactly.
“I’m an idiot, my future is incredibly bright, and anybody can get in on this.”
A mantra at Pastor Ray’s church goes something like this: “I’m an idiot, my future is incredibly bright, and anybody can get in on this.” It’s actually printed on the back of their business card I believe. Self deprecating? Yes. Humble, yep. Different? For sure. But here’s the deal: The statement points you to two other things that are a huge part of the culture of Immanuel Church (btw, both my recently college graduated kids are really involved at Immanuel, and are thriving).
Gospel + Safety + Time. Its the heartbeat of Immanuel Nashville, and it bears fruit, because…it’s emminently Biblical. I’ll steal from and paraphrase pastor Ray with a few of my own thoughts: GOSPEL is the good news for bad people, through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Not what we do for God, but what God has done for us. SAFETY is a desired trait of the environment there that people encounter. Not one where people feel pressured, accused or cornered, but a refuge where anyone can grow. Plus TIME, because no one changes quickly. Discipleship, spiritual growth, requires the space for people to live their lives amidst the long lasting relationships and patience required for substantial transformation. Out of this “gospel culture” comes a hyper focus on the saving work of JESUS, a loving and empowering COMMUNITY, and a clear MISSION to both comfort sufferers in their affliction and multiply disciples who will do the same. Check out immanuelnashville.com for more, or Ray’s book The Gospel.
I love this: Pastor Ray always says “you can be impressive, or you can be known.” Stop. Now…roll it over in your mind a bit! It’s a statement too pregnant for me to unpack here. Suffice it to say, in a world where we’ve become outrageously good at impressing people with how authentic, transparent, and cool we are…well… hopefully you get the idea. This means the opposite. And it’s disarming. And I learned a long time ago, it’s so much easier to just be known, as opposed to putting on faces. One other thought here…to let yourself be known as you really are, takes trust, it takes…gospel+safety+time.
So that’s a bit about Ray. A man who, when you attend his church or hear him speak, you often come away saying, “wow…I really feel like that was so close to how Jesus himself would’ve spoken.” A guy you should know.