One of my favorite books is "The Gospel Blimp and Other Modern Parables". It is by Joseph Bayly and has several great stories that challenge our notion of our faith. One of these stories is Ceiling Zero. In this story some people can fly (without aircraft and without balloons). But as the story goes on, …
Month: July 2011
Why Do We Do Relief and Development Ministries?
There has been many concerns about Christian missions and its role in RELIEF and in DEVELOPMENT. Much of this is in the area of perception. Here is some variety regarding perspective regarding these forms of social ministry. 1. Perspectives regarding the relationship between these forms of social ministry and "spiritual" ministry in mission work. Jerry …
Continue reading Why Do We Do Relief and Development Ministries?
Which College Degrees “Don’t Pay”?
Great quick article on the "Worst-Paying College Degrees of 2011" from Monster.com. These numbers were based on things in the USA. But I doubt things elsewhere drift too far from this. Rather than repeat the article (which is linked above anyway), consider the following from this top 10 list of worst paying college degrees. Working …
Modern Parables
Cover of Stone Soup We rely on the parables of Jesus... and in many ways, rightly so. As God's Word, and the words of our Savior and example, the 50 some parables of Christ should provide a foundation from which much of our Christian thought and practice is built . But that does not mean …
The Power of Parables
One of the problems of not getting a real liberal arts education (most of my education is in Mechanical Engineering and military leadership), is limitations in communication and the arts. One of these is in the role of parables. When I was young going to church, parables were defined as "earthly stories with a heavenly …
In Christian Missions, Who Should be the Contextualizer of the Faith?
Christian Missions commonly today focuses on the idea that contextualization is necessary. Contextualization is the enculturation of the gospel message. A Christian 1st-century Greek did not, and should not, live like a Christian 1st-century Jew. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 recognized unity within Christ while maintaining diversity in culture. Today, in missions we seek …
Continue reading In Christian Missions, Who Should be the Contextualizer of the Faith?
Community Development and Nehemiah
I wrote an article a few years ago called "Wholistic Ministry and Nehemiah." One of the central points was that we often think of development backwards. I pointed out that Nehemiah worked to create change in a specific order. When people think of Nehemiah, they focus on "THE WALL". While it is true that the …
Christian Missions that is NOT “Church Planting”
Our main ministry here in the Philippines is a christian counseling center (with a few other things as well). We are also on the board of directors of an orphanage. At one time, it was pretty easy to convince people that supporting an orphanage is a good thing. But this viewpoint seems to be going …
Continue reading Christian Missions that is NOT “Church Planting”
Reflections on Wealth in Psalm 49
I don't generally think of this website as a place for devotional or exegetical writing. However, missions is highly dependent on money, and missionaries are tempted towards professional success rather than God. Therefore, a bit of analysis on Psalm 49 seems quite appropriate. PSALM 49 (1) Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of …
Two Quotes from David Bosch on the Church on Mission
Church in missions: "A community of people who, in the face of the tribulations they encounter, keep their eyes steadfastly on the reign of God by praying for its coming, by being its disciples, by proclaiming its presence, by working for peace and justice in the midst of hatred and oppression, and by looking and …
Continue reading Two Quotes from David Bosch on the Church on Mission