A blog designed to develop missional leaders
By Ed Stetzer How does the word "contextualization" make you feel? Free or fearful? The $64-million dollar question about innovation and change is this: How far is too far? I can't think of any question in the church much more controversial than this one. We've been asking it for two thousand years and rarely ever... Continue Reading →
By Edgar Hernandez Imagine you are in an enormous house. Some of the people who live there hear well and others are deaf. Everyone is together, and it is not obvious which is which at first glance. In one room there is a man sitting down, and you notice he is tapping a rhythm with his... Continue Reading →
We have all come in contact with someone who has rejected Christianity primarily because of the unconvincing actions or even blatant hypocrisy of Christians. Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” That sentiment pains me, and it should sicken any of... Continue Reading →
Reflections on the Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister As I mentioned in the previous article, I have recently been reading a book that has proven impactful in my understanding of the Christian calendar. It’s written by Joan Chittister and entitled, The Liturgical Year: The Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life. As we near Ash Wednesday, I... Continue Reading →
The season of Lent is almost upon us, and every year there are at least some Evangelical Christians in different countries who contact me out of their concern or confusion with this period in the Christian calendar, or the concept of a liturgical year in general. Phyllis Tickle explains that the Christian calendar has been... Continue Reading →
I recently had the privilege of reading a wonderful little book, called Opening the Bible, written by the renowned Trappist monk, Thomas Merton. His thoughts on reading the Scriptures were written decades ago but remain poignant and relevant as much today as in his time. Just to offer a taste, I will share three quotes. First,... Continue Reading →
By Carla Sunberg "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen... Continue Reading →
By Charles W. Christian “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” — Matthew 5:13 Salt has, in some ways, developed a bad reputation these days. It can cause high blood pressure and heart issues when it is over used. Part of... Continue Reading →
In the previous post, we heard from Pastor Rich Villodas as he taught us about how Advent is a season for “Wait Training.” In part two of his article, originally published at Missio Alliance, we now look at four practical ways we can learn to bear fruit in our spiritual lives as we wait during... Continue Reading →
By Rich Villodas (originally published on Missio Alliance) There’s nothing that unites us in the experience of being human quite like waiting. No matter our age, our education, our accomplishments, or time spent following Jesus, we will have to wait. This is why the Advent season is necessary for the shaping of our lives. Each... Continue Reading →
