Truth for Life / Alistair Begg

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Truth for Life listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2011 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

This ministry is called a ‘Shining Light’ because it is indeed a model of letting their light shine before men, and God is to be glorified in what they are doing. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good deeds.

Believers are recognizable by their fruit, which includes the services they perform for Him and for others. We see a glimpse of His light and glory in this ministry and if you do too, you should feel very good about giving to it; however, only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.

Inclusion as a Shining Light does not mean it is perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list for improvement. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose among the top.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list: (1) Transparency, (2) Truth Claims, (3) Values/ Worldview, (4) Sectors/Functions, (5) Resourcefulness, (6) Red Flag Issues, (7) Counsel with others.

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. As is evident, we looked at many factors and as such, a high Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement of inclusion on this list, although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is an outstanding example when we consider it through the lens of Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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MinistryWatch.com’s Take

The Reformed Pastor

In his introduction to The Reformed Pastor, a now classic piece of 17th century Puritanism, Richard Baxter humbly but forcefully rebukes his fellow English ministers for neglecting the work of “catechesis” (i.e., formal Christian instruction). Although, in context, Baxter is admonishing them to take up the work of teaching families on an individual basis (the modern reader may think of his or her “small group” Bible study), many of his comments are relevant to all forms of pastoral ministry – especially for children of the Protestant movement. Baxter opens his masterpiece by quoting Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Among the foremost duties of the good overseer are teaching and preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Strict adherence to this principle, however difficult it might be (practically and theologically), is indeed the litmus test of a Puritan minister.

The “reformed pastor” must not only teach the Word, he must handle it rightly. It will not do for a pastor to use the Bible as a pretext for whatever he really wants to talk about. Alistair Begg, senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio and founder of Truth For Life (a nationwide radio broadcast ministry), believes that pastors can best avoid the subjectivism and/or slavish traditionalism inherent in “proof-text” preaching by utilizing the “expository method.” The expository method is basically a means of sermon construction which is based upon a verse-by-verse analysis of a biblical text, seeks to make the meaning of the text clear to the listeners, and helps them to see how that meaning ought to shape their thinking and actions.

The Word of God and the World of Man

Begg bemoans the fact that many evangelical pastors do not preach expositorily. (see the chapter, “Whatever Happened to Expository Preaching?” in Begg’s “Preaching for God’s Glory”). He believes that “[t]he absence of expository preaching is directly related to an erosion of confidence in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.” According to Begg, things such as “the so-called extra-biblical ‘prophetic word’,” “psychological theory,” and politics have been allowed to take center stage in many churches. The result is that the culture dictates what is said in the pulpit, instead of the pulpit speaking to, and challenging when necessary, the world on the basis of the inerrant Word of God. On the other side of the equation, there are some preachers who are so involved in the intricacies of the text that they lose sight of how the Scriptures apply to everyday life in the 21st century – thus failing to address their congregation’s need to understand the times so that they might know what to do (cf., 1 Chronicles 12:32). In contrast to both extremes, “[e]xpository preaching means unfolding the text of Scripture in a way that makes contact with the listeners’ world while exalting Christ and confronting them with the need for action. . . .” This is what Begg attempts to do in his preaching ministry.

This ministry is the centerpiece of Truth for Life, which broadcasts Begg’s sermons on more than 900 radio outlets each day. These broadcasts can also be listened to online at www.truthforlife.org. Truth for Life produces and distributes these sermons in the form of 25-minute biblical teaching programs. It also produces and distributes books, audio tapes and other materials featuring Begg’s teaching. These programs and materials are designed to lead non-Christians to a saving knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ, encourage Christians to grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible, and to help churches grow strong through providing leadership instruction, materials and encouragement to pastors.

Life Resources

The Truth for Life radio program is a consistent testimony to Begg’s commitment to expository preaching. This does not mean, however, that Begg refuses to address specific cultural, moral, spiritual and theological issues. He simply builds his teaching in these areas from a strong Scriptural base. Truth for Life offers numerous resources dealing with a variety of topics. Each of these resources is a “Bible study” in the sense that each follows the expository method and is based upon a particular book of the Bible. Each series is topical in the sense that Begg chooses to focus especially on a major issue presented in that part of Scripture. Major areas of focus include doctrine, the spiritual life, pastoral ministry, character studies, and family matters.

A major part of Truth for Life’s goal of helping churches grow strong is its annual “Basics” pastor’s conference, hosted by Parkside Church. This conference features internationally acclaimed speakers who gather together with pastors from across the country for three days in order to “express their partnership in the gospel and to renew their commitment to the basics of prayer and the Word of God – those indispensable activities so easily neglected.”

Truth for Life describes the purpose of its 2005 conference in this way:

“Basics 2005 welcomes men of various responsibility and experience (senior, solo, youth, college, singles, outreach, care, etc.). We especially encourage the attendance of younger men who aspire to the pastoral ministry. Our aim is to equip and encourage one another in what is both an immense privilege and an arduous work. When alluring success stories and attractive methodologies get so much attention we need more than ever to be reminded what ministry is about– to make time to meet with one another; to hear God’s Word afresh; to be driven to our knees in prayer; to be renewed in our passion to know Christ and to make him known.”

Supporting Truth for Life

Truth for Life is primarily a listener-supported ministry. The organization does raise approximately 15 percent of its total income through sales of materials (i.e., book and audio resources). Truth for Life raises financial support through inviting its listening audience and visitors to its website to participate in the ministry through making a donation. They also produce and distribute a Resource Guide featuring Bible study materials, and a quarterly newsletter containing ministry updates, articles and advertisements for Truth for Life resources. In each of these venues – radio, Internet and print – the fund-raising activity is presented in a low-key, no-pressure manner in which the focus is primarily on the importance of the work of proclaiming the Word of God through expository preaching. Those who benefit from this work as done by Alistair Begg and Truth for Life are simply and graciously invited to give. People can choose to become a regular supporter (“Truthpartner”) or simply give a one-time donation.

This irenic and tactful approach is clearly manifested in the ministry support section on Truth for Life’s website:

“The best way to support the radio program is to become a Truthpartner. These are people who sustain the radio ministry in prayer and with regular monthly support so that more people can hear the truth of God’s Word around the world. When you enroll as a Truthpartner with a gift of $20 or more, we will send you two special gifts: 1) a brand new edition of the classic ‘Morning and Evening’ by Charles H. Spurgeon revised and updated by Alastair Begg. 2) the ‘One Year NIV Devotional New Testament.’ In addition to this, you’ll receive a special message of the month from Alastair Begg as well as many opportunities to receive special resource materials that Alastair and the TFL team have found particularly helpful. If you cannot commit to becoming a Truthpartner at this time, but would still like to support our ministry, you can give a one-time gift as well. Because Truth for Life is committed to strengthening the local church, we want to encourage you to give to your local church first. After you have cared for your obligations there would you prayerfully consider supporting TFL?”