“There is a difference between agreement and understanding: When discussing complex social and institutional dynamics such as racism, consider whether “I don’t agree” may actually mean “I don’t understand.“ -Robin DiAngelo The title of this post is the name of a post by Joe Terrell. It looks at racism from the aspect of insiders and …
Continue reading Waking Up: Racism, Privilege, and the Celebration of Ignorance
This is a sermon I did a few years ago. I am guessing it was done in seminary since it sounds like it targets ministers or seminarians... but I am not sure. Here is a story from the Gospels you may remember. A man was walking from Jericho to Jerusalem… a difficult road in a …
Continue reading The Parable of the Busy Minister and the Inconvenient Situation
Read two things recently regarding Christian ministry in Buddhist countries. One was an interview one of my students had with a devout Buddhist from his own country. This person was fairly familiar with basic Christian doctrines and many of the differences between Christianity and Buddhism. When my student asked her about what she thought about …
In 2017, I wrote a blog that I like called "Dream Small.' (Not all of my posts I like.) Blog: Dream SMALL!! More recently, I added another post that follows the same theme but particularly as it relates to Christendom and Post-Modern perspective. Blog: Dreaming Small in a "post-Christian" World Then the other day, I …
I don't spend too much time trying to figure out what people want to read about. Sure, if I find a topic that people are reading and sharing more, I at least consider the possibility of writing more on the topic. But I prefer to write what I prefer to write about. Still, I decided …
This is a bit off-track as far as topics I normally put on this blog, but I have never sought to define appropriate topics too narrowly. Years ago, I wrote a little article for our counseling center's journal entitled, "Divine Intervention: The Flight of Elijah in Dialogue with Crisis Care." You can see the article …
I was reading an article on Lausanne.org. I must admit that the reason for me reading it was because they referenced an article I wrote years ago. I have never really written on Business as Missions. However, I wrote on the use of merchant traders on the Silk Road, who were used by Nestorian mission …
I know this is a hot topic right now, and I have less to say about it than many others do... but as one who is in missions, it is a concern. I see speakers from the US, Korea and other countries come over here to the Philippines and preach Prosperity Gospel. Others, including some …
So why are there days I am glad that I don't know how to raise support? Number 1. This is the main reason--- I learned that God is faithful. Sure, that sounds like a saccharine-like aphorism. I can hardly say that God promises to have money fall from heaven to fund people who are too …
Continue reading …Then There are Days I am Glad I Don’t Know How to Raise Support (Part 2)
My wife and I have been involved in missions for over 14 years. In the early years we did not know much of anyting about raising support. We never went out on deputation. Our home church provided over 80% of our support. We did okay. I taught missions and sometimes spoke of raising support. I …
Continue reading …Then There are Days I am Glad I Don’t Know How to Raise Support (Part 1)