Continuing.... I would like to use my own example to suggest how training works with ministry. My wife was born in the Philippines but had moved to the US after college. We met there and had three children… but after 9 years of marriage we began to be convinced that God was calling us to …
Continue reading Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 2
The following is a write-up (first draft) for a video on this topic. Is training necessary. I argue YES. However, a more nuanced response would be: A. YES, training is necessary... but non-formal and informal trainings are also forms of training. B. NO, formal training is not absolutely necessary... but there is a cost for …
Continue reading Is Training Necessary for Christian Ministry? Part 1
Orality Missions (there are lots of terms... not going to delve into them) refers to a mission strategy/movement involved (originally) in reaching illiterate people with the gospel of Christ. By illiterate, we would be commonly refer to those who cannot read, in a people group who cannot read. Traditionally, the strategy for such a group …
I think it might be best to give the TLDR answer here: YES, it is good for Christians to pray for UPGs. I am giving the answer early becase I am going to go over a number of things that might cause people to think I am saying “no.” A big reason that one might …
Continue reading Should Christians Pray for Unreached People Groups (UPGs)?
The above question has become more relevant to me of late as I have reached the traditional age for retirement in the Philippines, and my wife has reached the traditional age for retirement in the US. Some argue that there is "No retirement in the ministry." That may be motivational, but it is also not …
Continue reading Where Should One “Retire” After Serving as a Missionary in the Field?
I am presently working on a Missiology book that will hopefully be done in 2026. But for now, I would like to go over the books I have written up to this point. All of my books have been self-published and self-edited (mostly). My new book will probably have a publisher, so hopefully it will …
I was talking with one of my former students yesterday. She was speaking about some of those who try to argue with non-Christians in public forums. The reason for doing this is often to promote the Gospel message--- something I certainly can appreciate. Very often their Gospel message is also mixed with a political agenda--- …
Continue reading Christian “Debate Bros”: Wrong Tool for the Right Task?
The other day (I am writing this in September 2025) an apparently well-known political and religious spokesperson was shot and killed in the US. It seems like everyone has expressed their opinion about this person. I won't because it seems like I was one of only a small number of American Evangelical Christians who never …
So... I have written before my thoughts on the above passage. This is where Paul describes an event at the Church in Antioch. Peter was visiting the church, and then some brethren from Jerusalem visited. While previously Peter would dine with the Gentiles, when those from Jerusalem joined, he separated himself from the Gentiles. Paul …
I have been thinking about the topic of making one's thoughts unconvincing over the last few weeks based on some interaction with an acquaintance of mine. He is promoting some ideas. Some of the ideas have genuine merit, I think. Others at least have potential for good topics of discussion. While there was some merit …