Trip was long, exhausting and productive. My Dad’s sister is laid to rest. The family grieves with joy in the hope of the resurrection. My aunt Alice was one the happiest people I ever met. She wasn’t a complainer. She loved everyone. Everyone. And she always seemed to believe the best both in and for … More Back from Pennsylvania
Monday Discussion “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” (Titus 2:2, ESV) I recently had a conversation with a young man over coffee about the need for “spiritual fathers” in the church. Three days ago, one of my students was lamenting the fact that every time he thinks he … More Older Men Teaching Younger
Picking up one of the threads from the funding of house church planters discussion. Indisputable Facts: Churches need sound doctrine. The modern church tries to ensure sound doctrine through seminary training. Question: Are there other ways to accomplish sound doctrine in our churches (traditional or house)? Any suggestions?
It doesn’t matter if your are a pastor or member of a traditional church or the pastor or member of a house church, this video developed with Francis Chan is a great example of what a growing number of missiologists and thinkers are beginning to wrestle with. It captures what we are trying to discover at … More Parables Still Teach Very Well
Here’s the promised summary of our house church funding discussion. I am thrilled at the issues raised by this question and look forward to exploring some of them in the coming weeks. Thanks too to Ed Stetzer and Charlie Worley for dropping in and giving your input. [This whole discussion was stimulated by this post and a … More Funding the House Church Planter
Indisputable facts: Seminary trained pastors are expensive. Seminary trained pastors lead churches that are often slow to plant other churches. House church planters are inexpensive. House church planters lead churches that are often fast multiplying. Question to begin the week: How do we fund house church planters?
For a couple of years I have been reading the early church fathers to find clear gospel presentations that boil away all other concerns and speak directly to the need of repentance from sin and faith in Christ. It has been a wonderful search. So far, I have found clear gospel presentations in the First, … More The Gospel is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever (Just Like Jesus)
Re-post: I ran into an out of town Methodist pastor at Promises today over lunch with my wife. It made me think of the greatness of Methodism’s early days and this post from 2010. Revivals change the world, but the world always needs to be changed again. Over time, hearts grow cold and need … More Looking Back at a Revival that Changed the World
Who will be the first denomination to truly take church planting seriously and begin to plant churches rapidly, reproductively and globally? When will American churches stop hoarding their resources and spending them on themselves and truly seek to reach the harvest that is being prepared by the Spirit of God? Here’s one way to make … More Double Your Denomination’s Size in Five Years
Thursday is for Discipleship Heard from a former student, now planting gospel truths in a Michigan community that he delights in. New life grows in his new wife’s belly and new life grows in the community because of his faithfulness to proclaim truth. A colleague and twenty-something leader e-mailed saying a conversation we had was helpful to … More Investments that Truly Change the World
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