Tim Keller and the future

Tim keller

Let me just say it: Tim Keller is my hero. My admiration for this man is probably the closest thing in my life I've got to idolatry, if not already fully so. He receives my utmost respect and commendation. [See my earlier post: Tim Keller - a refreshing voice in the city; check out some free sample Tim Keller sermons]  Visiting his church (Redeemer Presbyterian) in New York City and hearing him speak live, is my personal Christian version of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Despite all of his teaching against idolatry, I struggle. He is the most inspiring, challenging and motivating Christian preacher I know of - deeply theological and thoughtful; relevant to both the faithful and the skeptic; extremely well-read and informed across a broad spectrum of disciplines and world-views; and disarmingly low-key and respectful, without a hint of being condescending to those with different convictions. He unfailingly and compellingly preaches the gospel in every sermon, and at the same time manages to attract those normally hostile to the Christian faith. His church now counts among its members the largest number of Jewish and homosexual converts than any other protestant church. He has planted an amazingly successful church in arguably the most influential city in the world. As noted in New York magazine’s Influentials 2006 List, “Keller has become the most successful Christian evangelist in the city… Church leaders see him as a model of how to evangelize urban centers across the country, and Keller has helped plant 50 gospel-based Christian churches around New York plus another 50 from San Francisco to London.” Because of Keller, literally thousands of people who would never have been caught dead in a church, have come, listened, and been transformed. Yet there is nothing slick or flashy about his preaching or style of service. He doesn't rely on emotion or strategic humor to manipulate his audience. Nor does he yell, shout down or demean opposing positions. Keller tells it like it is - plainly, reasonably, and without any arm-twisting threats of hellfire. He is the real deal - our generation's no-nonsense voice of reason - the voice of one calling out the gospel in the desert - making straight the way for the Lord.

And yet, despite all my praise and admiration for this man, I have this one criticism:  Tim Keller has not chosen a successor.  A day will come when he will not be around anymore. Anyone who knows even a little bit about Redeemer knows that to lose Tim Keller would be to lose the church. It is why church attendance plummets and why most people freeze their mp3 sermon subscriptions in the summer months when he goes on sabbatical. Even though he has built up a team of associate pastors around him, their cumulative abilities do not hold a candle to him.  They will not be able to sustain the church, much less cause it to grow if Keller is gone.  Our generation is incredibly fickle and transitory. We will not stomach a long search process for a qualified pastor to carry on this movement.  Like rats, we will jettison a sinking ship quickly.

Redeemer needs a successor to Tim Keller - not the day after he is gone, but now, yesterday already.  Someone who, in the post-Keller months, can serve as a transitory bridge, a recognizable face and voice, somebody already rooted deep in the soil of Redeemer.  Somebody who can now, at the very least, preach full-time in the summer months during Keller’s annual sabbatical. Somebody who will serve side-by-side with him, whose influence and stature among evangelical circles, and whose ability to transfix minds and illuminate truth, would be comparable to if not eventually superceding his.  And because gifted pastors like this do not grow on trees, I deeply believe that he needs to start seeking out someone to groom right now. Not that we'll need another Keller to idolize when he is gone, but that he set an example of passing onto the next generation, of not merely good preaching, but the practice of loving and guiding another towards fullness in Christ. Keller himself has admitted that discipleship is one of his ministry’s weaknesses.  But now having realized this and the mounting dependency of the church on himself, it is high-time that he take this one aspect of the Great Commission seriously – go and make disciples.

Tim keller

Comments

[Bumble]

It looks like you are as fanatical as I am about Keller.

[Darryl]

You're right, there will never be another Keller, nor should there be. I think he touched on this in one sermon even. People get used to a personality, a look, charisma, etc.

But I'm not as concerned for a few reasons:

1) The associates will never be Keller but they are very good.
2) From what I understand, Redeemer will "plant" its various locations as individual congregations when Keller retries - I could be wrong on this.
3) They are focused on building a movement centered on the gospel, not a church focused on a personality.

I do think they've recognized your concern and have dealt with it wisely. Time will tell.

[Ted]

Thanks for your comments Darryl. I agree with you in that the movement should be centered on the gospel, not on a personality. I also think you're right in that there probably shouldn't be another Keller or Keller-clone (despite my dreams for one). However my opinion is that the quality of preaching from the associate pastors is lacklustre and does not come close to that of Keller's. In my view, the very reason that they have this potential problem of people focusing on one personality (Keller) instead of the gospel, is because the other preachers there aren't good enough to get the attention. If the associate pastors there were better preachers, I'd probably be less of a Keller-fanatic. My hope is that Keller invest into and build up another leader (may or may not be a Keller clone, although I'd prefer it) to carry on the torch to light the way with his own unique God-given gifts.

[Rudy Amid]

Your worry is justifiable.  I would worry if the congregation only goes to church just to listen to "the" pastor.

I haven't listened to Keller, so I can't form an opinion about his charisma/ability.  But my litmus test is always the humility factor.  Does he keep a simple life (not opulent)?  Does he promote his associate pastors?

God speaks through many of his talented people.  I wouldn't want to idolize someone either.

[Erick]

I see only one good solution:  Ted, it's time to big goodbye to the world of patents and IP and move to NYC and take over!!  Seriously though, I'd sign up for any podcasts of messages you'd produce wherever you are.

[Stephen Baker]

First of all, Tim Keller does not have ANY associate pastors. He only has assistant pastors. Those who know Presbyterian polity will understand the significance of this.

Secondly, I find your self-confessed idolatry of Tim Keller quite disturbing on many levels. It is time that the culture of Evangelical and even Reformed celebrity worship ends. God is not honored by it, and no matter how often you say it, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not advanced by it. Our Lord has commanded us to build his kingdom, not our own.

And not Tim Keller's.

[Ted]

Stephen,

Relax man. I admire Keller alot, and was only being a little tongue-in-cheek about my "praise" of him. I offer no apologies for promoting Keller, as I see him as one who effectively points/leads others to Christ; and not to himself or to his own "kingdom". I agree of course that it is not a good thing to worship/idolize a person over Christ.

On another note: Please be mindful of the tone of your comments on these public posts. We don't know each other. If I am in error as a struggling Christian or non-Christian (as you likely believe), your prickly comments do me no help (if help is what you intended), and I doubt if God would be honored by it.

Peace,

-Ted

[Erick]

Tbone, I always enjoy your blog posts and your comments too!