Mark Dever interviews Jonathan Leeman, discussing his early years, personal traits, high school experiences, double majoring, interest in politics, the role of natural law, a year of transformation, years at Southern Baptist Seminary, love for teenagers, understanding universal human experience, the craft of editing and shaping books, publication of books on church discipline and leadership, the mission of the church under threat, and future work and topics.
Understanding and respecting authority is crucial in both the church and personal life.
Finding and supporting the author's voice in editing is similar to a pastor's role in a congregation.
Collaborating closely with experts in specific topics can shape books to be more accessible and practical.
The concise and accessible format of the 'Building Healthy Church' series provides valuable insights for readers.
Deep dives
Growing in Love and Authority
During his early years in D.C., the speaker experienced significant transformation in his understanding and practice of authority. Through his involvement at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, he learned the importance of submitting to and respecting authority, both from leaders within the church and from God himself. This experience helped shape his perspective on the role of authority in the church and in his own life.
Meeting Shannon and Building a Family
The speaker met his wife Shannon during his time at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville. They developed a deep connection and eventually got married. Together, they have four daughters. The speaker describes Shannon as a loving and dedicated pastor's wife, actively involved in discipling young girls and evangelizing those she encounters. The speaker expresses gratitude for his family and the joy they bring to his life.
Becoming Editor of Nine Marks
The speaker has held the position of editor at Nine Marks since 2006. This role has allowed him to delve deeper into his love and conviction for the church. He describes himself as a salesman who deeply believes in the principles and teachings of Nine Marks and the importance of building healthy churches. His work has included editing numerous journals, writing books, and participating in podcasts, all aimed at promoting the biblical principles of church ministry and leadership.
Pastoring and Church Planting Experiences
The speaker has had various experiences in pastoring and church planting. He served as a pastor at First Baptist Church in Grand Cayman and Third Avenue Baptist in Louisville before the Greg Gilbert. These experiences taught him valuable lessons about the importance of faithful preaching and the responsibility of shepherding a congregation. The speaker's love for the church has grown through these experiences and has deepened his commitment to promoting healthy church practices through his work at Nine Marks.
Understanding the craft of editing
The craft of editing requires humility and a focus on finding the author's voice. It involves staying behind the scenes and making the author's work better on their own terms. Editing also requires a back and forth conversation, combining humility with pushiness to help the author improve their writing. This exercise in finding the author's voice and making their work the best it can be is similar to the role of a pastor in a congregation.
The significance of editing in the building healthy church series
Editing plays a vital role in the success of the building healthy church series. By collaborating closely with authors who have expertise in specific topics, such as expositional preaching or corporate worship, the editor helps shape the content to have a more corporate angle. The editor's guidance and input in areas like shaping the content, making it more focused, and incorporating a corporate perspective, contribute to the effectiveness and popularity of the books in the series.
The importance of summarizing and editing books in the building healthy church series
The building healthy church series has been well-received and proven to be useful resources. The concise and digestible format of the books, driven by effective summarizing and editing, makes them accessible to a wide range of readers. The series offers practical guidance on various aspects of church life, such as membership, discipline, evangelism, and worship. Providing clear and concise information in each book enables readers to gain valuable insights and apply them in their own church contexts.
