A blog designed to develop missional leaders
Rev. Craig Shepperd Abstract: This essay looks at who the Church is to be in the midst of suffering, brokenness, and chaos. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”... Continue Reading →
By: Rev. Craig Shepperd In my previous post I stated that the Church lives life in the middle of the “already but not yet.” Jesus’ ministry, death, resurrection and ascension has provoked the dawning of the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. However, we are quite aware that we do... Continue Reading →
By: Rev. Craig Shepperd We celebrated Easter Sunday a few weeks ago. In this season we are reminded that, in the resurrection, we hold onto a great hope. Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the grave. The Church, thus, serves the world by proclaiming this hope. We point people to this truth: in spite of... Continue Reading →
By: Rev. Craig Shepperd Abstract: This essay is about the opportunity that the current COVID-19 crisis presents the church to reclaim her missional identity. It suggests that the Church has grown so comfortable in doing church that we forgot to be the church. This doing has since become what we now mean when we refer... Continue Reading →
The last two months have felt surreal for all of us. The COVID-19 virus has affected every country in the world, and has caused many of us to #stayathome. No gatherings of large numbers of people. Our schedules and our finances have been affected, and the Church has not been exempt from the sweeping changes... Continue Reading →
Every year, as a Region, we encourage all congregations to join in 40 Days of Prayer Prior to Pentecost. For that reason, Regional Nazarene Missions International (NMI) has prepared prayer requests for each day, which can be downloaded at the following link: 40 DAYS OF PRAYER PRIOR TO PENTECOST - 2020. These 40 days... Continue Reading →
Did you see the video that we dropped a week ago on this blog? Here is the link to it on YouTube, or you can literally just read my previous post. The point of the video is clear: even in this funky, don’t-leave-your-house COVID-19 time, we’re still the Church! We’re still on mission! This is... Continue Reading →
I got the text at 11pm three weeks ago. A fellow missionary had sent me an image printed with the words, "Notice: By instructions from the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene, all missionary activity around the world has been canceled." I sat up in bed. I knew this was false. ... Continue Reading →
Whenever the Israelites experienced a season where God did something momentous in their midst, they sang a new song. Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His faithful people. (Psalm 149:1) As the people of God on this Resurrection Sunday, we prepare to celebrate the new life that Jesus brings... Continue Reading →
Most of us this week are confined to our homes as we self-quarantine due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If you’re like me, you may be wrestling with the fact that THIS week we will all be observing Holy Week apart from each other. As a pastor and missionary, I always anticipate the... Continue Reading →
Transform the Globe 