Source: Two Advantages of Storying in Honor-Shame Cultures
One of the very best ways to grow personally is to be 100% honest about your strengths and weaknesses. I feel that way about the local church, and about the wider church. At Connexus, where I serve as Lead Pastor, I remind our staff team regularly of two things: 1. We should be our church’s …
Continue reading 5 Epidemics the Evangelical Church Must Address – Carey Nieuwhof
We have finally finished our Christmas celebration here. We had a number of friends and relatives over for a Christmas day feast here in Baguio City, Philippines. Then we talked to some other relatives across the ocean. We will keep up the Christmas tree at least through New Years. I don't like the tendency for …
The Psalmist asks the question: "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:4 One suggestion could be drawn from the imagery of Jonathan Edwards in his most famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." In it, mankind is likened unto spiders. The …
Welcome to our Holy and Righteous congregation of Saints! Please leave your sins at the door… Here is a question for you – how would a new person, who is not a Christian, feel if they came to your church? Is your church so holy that a new person, or even someone who comes regularly …
Continue reading Welcome to Our Holy Congregation – Delving into the Scriptures
According to the North American Society for Church Growth: Church growth is that discipline which investigates the nature, expansion, planting, multiplication, function, and health of Christian churches as they relate to the effective implementation of God’s commission to “make disciples of all peoples” I taught a class in "Principles of Church Growth and Multiplication" …
I finished teaching an 8-week course in Theology of Missions at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. I wasn't sure how best to do this, since this is the first time I have taught the course, and it is the first time it has been taught at our school. So I decided to hit as much as …
Source: Why suspended professor says, “We worship the same God.”
Well, I suppose it's been a pretty good year as years go. Got a couple of books finished and published. Two more are basically ready to publish (once I finish the indexes (indices?) and footnotes). Averaged 100 more hits a month than 2 years ago. That all may not impress too many people, but it …
I was talking to a person today who was trying to get a grasp of why people do evil things and why does God allow it. Truthfully, there is no fully satisfying answer to this (or at least not universally satisfying). Denying God, in my mind, just shifts the issue to a more strictly ethical …
Continue reading Reflection, Restoration, Redemption and Three Little Pigs