10 Commitments to Advance a Global Awakening
You and I see the tremendous need all around us for men and women to be awakened to the truth. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). It brings the knowledge of God’s holiness, our sinfulness, and how in Jesus Christ we can be forgiven.
Darkness must be met with light, delusion with reality, bondage with liberty. God is using thousands of supporters to reach millions of people every month as Ligonier Ministries seeks to foster an awakening to the character of God through the bold proclamation of His Word. We give thanks to the Lord for this partnership in the gospel. Together, by His grace, we are making a difference. Yet with billions of souls on this planet, there is much work to do.
As we move forward as a ministry, it is vital to remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us by our beloved founder, Dr. R.C. Sproul. One way we have sought to do that is by outlining these ten unwavering ministry commitments below. It was R.C.’s vision to have Ligonier in the middle of a flourishing of Reformed theology in service to the church throughout the world. That is happening more and more. With God’s help and blessing, we pledge to:
1. Maintain a Consistent and Courageous Commitment to Historic Christianity
We will not change in changing times. Instead, we will draw strength from the authority of the Bible and the sufficiency of the cross of Christ. We draw from the doctrinal riches of the historic Christian faith to help as many people as possible flourish in their families, churches, vocations, communities, and nations. Our aim is for Christians to live with conviction, able to withstand the challenges from secularism, false religions, and militant atheism. We care about all suffering, especially eternal suffering, and the disciple-making impulse of the Great Commission animates all of our outreach.
2. Focus on Theology, Theology, Theology
The most loving thing we can give people is the truth. Dr. Sproul has said that right thinking precedes right living. What we think about God shapes who we are, penetrating to our core beliefs and determining our values, goals, and decisions. Theology is knowing who God is so that we might worship and enjoy Him. We will, by God’s grace, maintain our unwavering commitment to the truth that will inform faithful and fruitful living for the benefit of every tribe, tongue, and nation.
3. Invest in Audio and Video
We have always been a pioneer in video-based Christian education. Today, we are increasing our studio capacity, welcoming additional skilled professionals, and deepening our Christian education library to continue to provide trustworthy teaching in a market increasingly filled with error. At the same time, we’re investing significantly in new podcasts and radio broadcasts to capitalize on the recent resurgence of audio content distribution.
4. Publish for Every Stage of the Christian Life
All over the world, Bible literacy is abysmal. Our category-defining discipleship literature transmits the truth of God’s Word from one generation to the next. Our study Bible, monthly Bible study magazine, books from trusted authors, online article archives, and more continue to be some of the first resources people pick up as they are waking up to the reality of who God is and how He wants them to live.
5. Gather Christians in Community
Iron sharpens iron, and so Christians must encourage one another to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. We gather believers for in-person conferences, intimate training events, and rigorous educational programs at our Bible college in Orlando, because no one was meant to grow in isolation. We love and serve God best as we grow in community.
6. Deploy Emerging Technology
Paul used the Roman roads to circulate his letters, Martin Luther used Gutenberg’s printing revolution, and Dr. Sproul recognized that through the wise use of new technology, distances can be bridged and language barriers can be breached. With mobile phones in every pocket, we will maintain our emphasis on innovative use of the internet to scale our ministry’s reach.
7. Adapt to and Address Localized Needs
Because there is a famine for God’s truth around the world, no longer are we an English-only ministry. We meet and learn the particular needs of Christians around the world and then move discipleship teaching into multiple languages and countries in order to help families, churches, and schools grow in Christ.
8. Find Trusted Global Partners
No ministry can do what it does alone. We research like-minded church leaders, missionaries, and organizations in various places who serve diverse people groups. We know who we are, and thanks to our visionary donors, we are uniquely able to get faithful discipleship resources to people wherever they are.
9. Equip Pastors and Leaders
We are helping to sharpen the axe of the preachers of God’s Word. They need opportunities for strategic refreshment, and we do this through preaching seminars and conferences, as well as through Christian growth opportunities designed exclusively for them.
10. Reach the Next Generation
Dr. Sproul fixed our focus as a ministry when he called on each of us to reach “as many people as possible” with the message of God’s holiness and the truth of His Word. Reaching the next generation is vital. We are engaged with college and high school students, training them to know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it. We do this in churches, in schools and universities, on our campus, and through apps and the internet. The Great Conversation of ideas has become the Great Confrontation between truth and error, with eternal destinies at stake. The future belongs to Christians of conviction. We aim to be there to help in the battle for the souls of our young people.
What Dr. Sproul started all those years ago at a small study center continues today through worldwide outreach. His fingerprints are all over this ministry, and they always will be.
We serve a mighty Redeemer who is powerful to save. Proclaiming, teaching, and defending God’s holiness in all its fullness is our heartbeat.
Thank you for prayerfully considering how the Lord might have you support Ligonier, a ministry engaged in advancing a global awakening to the truth about our holy God and His holy Word.
Isn’t it a joy to have so much good work you and I can do in service to the Lord? There is no greater cause to advance in all the earth. Please pray for Ligonier. Your gift will help move ministry forward today. Thank you.