Friday is for Heart Songs I had just finished a retreat for great group of young adults (ages 22-35) for a downtown church. Despite the fact that I had a very muddled third talk, God seemed to do a great work and all of us came away blessed. It is so good to know that when … More Great Forgivers: The Badge of a Christian
Weekend Musings The next time you are tempted to give up the fight, to give up working at the hard work of making “church work,” the next time you want to just pick up and move on to another fellowship, the next time you think that there must be a greener pasture, remember these words: … More Unity is Hard Work, But it is What We are Called To
Book Review Title of Book: The Sky is Falling: Leaders Lost in Transition, Alan Roxburgh, (Eagle, Iowa: ACI Publishing, 2005.) Overview: Roxburgh’s thesis is that gate-keeper leaders are being lost in the transition to a new era in the church and culture. They, what he calls, ‘the Liminals’, have a growing sense that the world … More Brief Review of Alan Roxburgh’s “The Sky is Falling: Leaders Lost in Transition”
Friday is for Heart Songs Reading the inspiring story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2) and her triumphant faith poured out in tearful mourning before God. So often we think faith is a plastic smile that sails through turmoil and heartache without a pang of anxiety. Nonsense. Hannah pours out her faith through the spigots of … More We Settle for Substitutes When God Wants to Reward Faith
Thursday is for Discipleship All churches are challenged by the need to insure that its ministries are led by men and women who are committed to the same values and vision that the church itself espouses. How does a church insure that all leaders share the same vision, and commit themselves to the same values … More Disciples Who Don’t Teach Aren’t Disciples
Wednesday is for Prayer John 2:1-12 Jesus celebates with a family at a wedding in Cana a few days later . . . John 2:13-22 Jesus cleanses the Temple of money changers for the first time. “Lord, you entered into the community and celebrated with the bridal party at Cana and then just a … More Party Going Prophets Able to Laugh and Live for Holiness
Thursday is for Discipleship Part 1 Emphasis on Justice and City-Transformation is Not Enough Part 2 Below The difference between outreach and evangelism is essentially this—outreach will almost universally get you pats on the back while evangelism will eventually get you persecuted. (see yesterday’s post) This is precisely why most people don’t do evangelism. They … More Why We Love Outreach and Hate Evangelism
Monday Discussion Holistic ministry to the whole person and with an emphasis on justice and cultural transformation is not only the biblical pattern but it is a culturally relevant way to speak to those outside the church in post-modern America. “Involvement in social justice issues may cut the negative perspective on the church in half … More Emphasis on Justice and City-Transformation is Not Enough
Title of Book: Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You Are, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2009) Overview: Cole suggests that the division between the clergy and the laity is not only unnecessary it is harmful to the church. Cole does not say that we should abandon the current system (p. 36, 66) but he … More Brief Book Review of Organic Leadership, by Neil Cole
Friday Musings Title of Book: The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, by Ori Brafman, (Portfolio, 2006) Overview: The book is about “what happens when no one is in charge” (p.5). It is about empowering people by eliminating hierarchies that stifle personal responsibility and initiative. It is about the counter-intuitive notion … More Brief Review of The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman
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