Chris Smith

Director of Training and Development at Christ Covenant Atlanta, Ph.D. @WheatonCollege, MDiv @SBTS, BS @ClemsonUniv

[Kody Gibson @KodyGibby]

One of the best gatherings at the SBC is the Duck and Goose late hour.

We need more friends in ministry, not less.

Mark your calendar: Tuesday, June 9, 8:30pm.

https://t.co/WPsUscYuMx

[Kody Gibson @KodyGibby]

A lot of people like this milk glass from @CreatedCo.

I'm happy to give one away. RT to enter.

[Southern Seminary @SBTS]

From the bracket to your bookshelf.

SBTS Madness Giveaway Matchup:
• Systematic Theology by Stephen J. Wellum — @BHpub
• The Gospel for Disordered Lives by Robert D. Jones — @BHpub

To enter: Repost this tweet.

Want a shot at the full Faculty Library giveaway? Go to https://t.co/yKwuozxGbx

[The Gospel Coalition @TGC]

Dan Treier’s chief concern was his relationship with his Savior. An evangelical theologian to the core, he knew that the goal of life is communion with God.

https://t.co/6XIpDjiIP3

[Brandon Smith @brandon_d_smith]

We just put together all four of Daniel Treier‘s appearances on Church Grammar as a way to capture his voice and hopefully offer a helpful resource on some basics of his thought.

I open with a few minutes of personal reflection on his life and what he meant to me personally, followed by nearly 3 hours of conversations.

Hope you enjoy!

https://t.co/QuTrV9A6Mr

[Brandon Smith @brandon_d_smith]

Over at @BaptistRenewal, Ty Kieser has written a wonderful reflection on Dan’s life and career from the perspective of one of his students: https://t.co/9pTkQVc0Kp

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

Dan Treier was one of the best men I ever knew. Humble, kind, and gracious. He’s the kind of man and theologian that we should all aspire to be like. He’s one of whom the world was not worthy. Lord have mercy.

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

@scottrswain Such a precious promise every day, but especially on days like today.

[Joshua Hutchens @JoshuaHutchens]

#ETS #ETS2025 If anyone out there is doing church-based seminary courses and/or ministry residencies, a few of us are getting lunch on Thursday to network and learn from one another. Open invitation.

[MLB @MLB]

ANOTHER INSANE GIVEAWAY 🤯

Big Aaron Judge secured his third American League MVP last night and we have a HUGE Topps PSA 10 rookie autograph for you!

For your chance to win, like, repost and follow @Topps!

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

I’d love to connect with other residency directors in the SBC to encourage one another and share ideas and resources. Join us!

[Jordan Wilbanks @JPWilbanks]

Coming to #SBC25? If your church is in any stage of developing a pastoral residency/leadership pipeline (any size), I'd love to have you join a conversation I'm co-hosting. Best practices, common questions/challenges, available resources. Few spots left! https://t.co/CLGloN9wyh

[Tyler Wittman @tylerwittman]

Pre-order for my new book appears to be available...
https://t.co/eQ8ABSJTvo

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

@jeremypierre Our apprentices have loved coming up for these!

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

@harper_jerod It will be soon!

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

On Jan 24, we’re hosting Kelly Kapic for a Christ Covenant Institute lecture entitled, “Have I Done Enough?” (Based on his book You’re Only Human) at the Armour Yards campus of Christ Covenant. We’ve got plenty of space, so come and bring some friends! https://t.co/c246jorX1s

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

@tylerwittman I’ve never used it, but I know some folks that use Mellel. Looks like they have a free 30-day trial.

[The Gospel Coalition @TGC]

𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬

My credit card dreads the months between August and February. After surviving back-to-school shopping and the onslaught of autumn and winter holidays, I wince at the thought of how much time I’ve wasted in the Target curbside pickup lot, waiting for another bag of seasonal kitsch to reach my minivan. By the time I’m buying treats for Valentine’s Day, I frankly feel gross.

Materialism is soul-sucking, and Christians aren’t the only ones to notice. In recent years, American culture has offered a solution: “Instead of buying 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, prioritize 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.”

When Christians hear this advice, we suppose it sounds close enough to Matthew 6:19—“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal”—so we nod our heads and set to work drafting a list of “experiences” that will make our families’ holiday seasons special.

“Experience gifts” can be a great option—especially if your home already feels crowded or if you aren’t confident your recipient truly wants another toy or sweater or coffee mug. Giving experiences can also be an effective way to initiate quality time with your loved ones. However, prioritizing experiences over things isn’t always the cure for materialism we might think it is, and Christians should be wary of several problems inherent in this philosophy.

𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲

The terms “experience” and “thing” are simply two vantage points to view a singular reality: God designed his image-bearers as embodied creatures whose actions are intrinsically intertwined with the material world. When people speak about experiences as gifts, what they typically mean is riding in a vehicle to a physical location that’s lovely or novel, doing an activity that requires materials and equipment, and filling their stomachs with quality food and drink. And when we speak of things, we refer to books we 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥, clothes we 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳, and instruments we 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺. Experiences depend on the use of things, and things are only enjoyed if they can be experienced.

False dichotomy aside, the more troubling issue with the trend toward pushing experiences over things is that we rarely deliver this claim as a neutral statement. More often, it has a subtle shade of self-righteousness.

We’re tempted to believe that by embracing the pursuit of experiences—since this seems to stand in contrast to the pursuit of possessions—we’ve combated materialism. But what is materialism if not the manipulation of the physical world to suit our pleasure? And what do we typically seek through experiences if not our pleasure?

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The apostle James, describing how covetousness breeds sin and malice, admonishes believers who “ask wrongly, to spend . . . on [their] passions” (James 4:3). The truth is, we’re tempted to chase our passions through pursuing possessions and pursuing experiences. If we aren’t careful, both can distract us from Christ’s sufficiency and the responsibilities of discipleship.

It’s also not lost on me that every person I’ve heard declare his or her preference for “experiences over things” has been financially solvent and not lacking any “thing” necessary to support a safe, healthy, and comfortable life. If we have discretionary income that allows us to pursue experiences nonessential to our survival, we’d do well—rather than patting ourselves on the back for having overcome materialism—to recall that “everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” (Luke 12:48).

As ends in themselves, neither things nor experiences can satisfy the human soul. While Matthew 6:19 rightly acknowledges the vulnerability of our possessions to moth, rust, and thieves, so too are our experiences vulnerable to lost passports, food poisoning, and the eventual deterioration of our memories. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t leave us in our dissatisfaction. Instead, he encourages us to “lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20).

𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭

So what does this mean practically? Is everyone getting “thoughts and prayers” for Christmas this year? By no means.

Things and experiences can distract us from our relationship with Christ, but they certainly don’t have to. To the contrary, at Christmas we celebrate that God’s Son took on flesh so that through our faith in his incarnate life of perfect righteousness, his death, and his embodied resurrection, he might redeem our whole, embodied selves with his Spirit. Now, whether we “eat or drink” (or create art or plant a garden or play pickleball), we may “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Rather than choosing gifts by prioritizing a pursuit of experiences, Christ invites us to give to one another by prioritizing a pursuit of love—and love is a virtue we can exercise through giving both things and experiences.

There’s no need to overcomplicate or hyperspiritualize the prioritization of love. It looks like moderating our consumption so we’re able to give generously to the church and to the “least of these” (Matt. 25:40). It can also look like giving a thoughtful token of affection that demonstrates your honor of and admiration for your recipient. It can look like planning an experience that will foster quality time and build positive, mutually shared memories. It can look like offering a material gift that practically supports your recipient’s personal aspirations or that fills her life with beauty. It can even look like buying a baseball and a couple of gloves so you can regularly have fun by playing catch with your kids.

He who chases pleasure through the pursuit of things or experiences will “fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (James 1:11), but “love never ends” (1 Cor. 13:8). This gift-giving season, brothers and sisters, let us be known by our love.

—————

𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 by Holly Lynn Smith. This Giving Tuesday, you’ll have the chance to see your generosity go even further. Thanks to a generous matching challenge, every dollar you give—starting today!—will be doubled, up to $25,000! That means whether you give now or on Giving Tuesday, your gift will have twice the impact in advancing the gospel and supporting the work of TGC. Your support ensures that The Gospel Coalition can continue to provide trustworthy, gospel-centered resources that guide believers, witness to non-believers, and equip church leaders to stand strong in their faith. Donate today and double your impact: https://t.co/fYv88rVlw8

[Midwestern Seminary @MBTS]

🏈 GAME 3 of College Football Pick'em! 🏈 12. Clemson vs. 5. Texas.

Comment with your winning team and final score predictions. The closest prediction will win a custom #ForTheChurch Campus Shirt of the winning school!

Plus, enter to win our grand prize here: https://t.co/yJwWsPGvsC!

[Chris Smith @chsmith_jr]

@MBTS Clemson 38 - 35 Texas
Let’s go Tigers!