"The growth of the church is both natural and supernatural. The church was designed by God to grow naturally, but all church growth is a supernatural miracle. In truth, the church will experience growth if we remove artificial and often selfish barriers we have used to keep our church artificially small-- to keep it a …
Category: Missional Churches
Look at the role of churches recognizing their purpose in accomplishing God’s mission.
Book Review. “A Higher Purpose for Your Overseas Job” by Roberto Claro.
I have been reading a book “A Higher Purpose for Your Overseas Jobs” by Roberto Claro (a pseudonym). Also had the opportunity to attend a one-day seminar led by the author. Strangely, I had assigned the book to my missions students before, but had not really taken the time to get into it personally. I …
Continue reading Book Review. “A Higher Purpose for Your Overseas Job” by Roberto Claro.
Three Views of Missions
I love teaching Missions. As a missions professor, I don't have to be an expert in Biblical Studies. I don't have to be an expert in Theology. That's a shame since Missions should have strong Biblical and Theological underpinnings. Still, it is a bit freeing that expectations of others is low in these areas. Additionally, …
Don’t Pay Back… Pay Forward.
Suppose I needed to contact people but I had no load on my phone. It's a problem because it is an emergency. Perhaps someone would come by and share a load with me, or give me money to get a phone card. I would be grateful but now I am in debt. So I offer …
The Church on Mission
Acts 13:1-3 1Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas …
Moltmann Quote: Passive Conformity
"Those who are experiencing this crisis" (crisis regarding the identity and purpose of the church in the 'modern' age) "tend to divide into two groups. The one group would like to see the church become more modern, involved, contemporary and relevant. Since politics determines man's destiny, they are demanding the church's radical political involvement in …
Missions Starting in Genesis 1:24-
What is the most important social unit in Missions? In fact, there are many social units that could be selected. First of all, however, what is a "social unit"? Noun An individual, group, or community, considered as a discrete constituent of a society or larger group. Here are some options for the most important social …
“Sorry. That is Not My Gifting…”– Is lacking a “spiritual gift” really a good excuse?
We just finished Vacation Bible School Week 1 at our church here in the Philippines. Celia, my wife, is the primary organizer, working with the WMU (Women's Missionary Union) and Youth in holding VBS. We did one in a community on the other side of the mountain, and next week we will do one at …
But I’m Called!!
While this might surprise many, there are a lot of people who want to go into missions. Perhaps they want to because they want "adventure" (whatever that is). Some want to because it is an escape from the stress and drudgery of what they are presently doing ("maybe in a foreign place, people won't know …
Baptist Movement: Reflections on Flexible Distinctions. Part III
<This is a continuation on Baptist distinctives and their value in flexibility for missions, and some missional risks regarding each of these. NOTE: Not really focusing on the correctness or falsity of these distinctives.> Individual Soul Liberty of the Believer. Some add “Responsibility” or Individual Soul Liberty and Responsbility of the Believer. The individual is …
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