Nine Reasons to Run from a Church
So here are my suggestions for behaviors that should cause people to RUN from a congregation EVEN IF it is perfectly orthodox doctrinally and even though its reputation is evangelical
Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes: Honor, Part 6
It’s the same question. Whether we’re teaching gospel to Muslims or our own children, there’s a cultural gap that must be bridged — and we’re the ones called to do it. We are the ones who must submit and sacrifice and pay the price to learn to see the world as others do so that we may teach the unchanging gospel in words and ways that those from a different culture can hear and appreciate.
Immigration: A Test of Christian Faith
There is one more way in which immigration is a test of Christian faith, and this builds off the previous point. The immigration reform issue forces believers to choose sides based on what we think the Word teaches. If one is convinced of the call to work for reform based on what the Bible says, that determination means embracing an Acts 4:19 decision moment. That is, this is the time and place to stand up for and speak out on God’s love of immigrants. This conviction can prove to be uncomfortable. It may lead to rejection; it might spur some to challenge unjust and inefficient laws and to get involved in various forms of activism. Immigration reform becomes the test, in other words, not only to others but also to ourselves, of fundamental beliefs about the Gospel, the mission of the Church, and the Christian life.
What To Say When There Is Nothing To Say
However, in the past couple of years I have heard and read quite a bit from people who have experienced catastrophic losses. And what I have gathered from them confirms what I think and feel myself. So I believe that my suggestions are broadly true for many of the people whose pain will cross your path.
I’m glad I couldn’t succeed because this lets me know how many in the church feel at this moment.
I’m glad again because God helped me learn. Today I live in that dream world of productive outreach.
What lights the spark? Inner reconstruction? Outer education? Godly props? Lucky breaks?
Hint: how would the empty tomb sound to you?
Four Steps to Community Engagement
When we took on the comprehensive study at LifeWay Research known as the Transformational Church Initiative, we surveyed over 7,000 churches and conducted hundreds of on-site interviews with pastors. We wanted to change the scorecard from strictly looking at numbers to one that really asks if churches and people are being changed. We found that the churches that could be known as “transformational” had a number of characteristics in common. One of those traits was that transformational churches engaged their respective communities on mission.
We found that the common thread was that these churches were willing to invest deeper in the mission than other churches. They wanted to move the mission forward. The priorities were engaging the lost, winning the lost, and maturing believers to repeat the process. What does that process look like? Four steps are clear.
The push to be radical, on mission, a world-changer can seem like a crushing weight. Sometimes life is just too hard and stuff is too broken. It’s all I can manage just to keep my world from flying to bits, let alone change anyone else’s. That’s so far outside of reality it sounds more like the twilight zone. No — reality is simply clinging to what I do know of God, His Son, and His faithfulness and just not letting go.
6 Mistakes I Made as a Family Pastor
I am now in a new role here at my church leading our staff as the Executive Pastor and it’s full of new challenges. I have had time to look back and process mistakes I made from my role as Family Pastor. Every mistake I made is just a chance for me to help another leader avoid that same trap so why not share what I have learned.
Your first mistake might be assuming that people are rational
Your second mistake could be assuming that people are eager for change.
And the marketer’s third mistake is assuming that once someone knows things the way you know them, they will choose what you chose.
Explore TARDIS! Amazing Dr. Who Easter Egg found in Google Maps
If you take Google Streetview for a ride down Earl’s Court Road in London, you will come across a Police Telephone Box with a double arrow pointing to it. The box is real; it’s been in Earl’s Court for years. Click on through and you will find yourself inside an exquisitely detailed explorable panorama of the good Doctor’s TARDIS including control panel.