Ed Stetzer offers some very interesting research on other churches' involvement in church planting. He bemoans that: "Lifeway Research surveyed over 1,000 Protestant pastors and found only 3 percent of their churches served as the primary sponsor of a church plant in the past year, and only 14 percent gave financial support in partnership with other churches to help start … [Read more...] about Is Church-Planting the Best Option
Archives for April 2010
No One Is Born Good
I've started Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller (2011). Here's a telling realization from sociologist Beatrice Webb that Keller quotes: "Somewhere in my diary--1890?--I wrote 'I have staked all on the essential goodness of human nature…" [Now thirty five years later I realize] how permanent are the evil impulses and instincts in man--how little you can count on … [Read more...] about No One Is Born Good
Ministry of Presence
Do you ooze ministry? I've heard my Sr. Pastor say ministry happens when one person overflows into the next person. That’s a significant illustration, perhaps evening surprising. We often think of ministry as being poured out or being spent, and certainly sacrifice plays a crucial role in ministering to others. But the motivation, the attitude and desire must … [Read more...] about Ministry of Presence
Tim Keller Talks Missional Ministry
"Missional Ministry" is a hot topic right now amongst churches. There's been a great deal of discussion and confusion circling this concept, but recently, I came across an article written by Tim Keller (in June 2001 no less!) that I found extremely helpful and very relevant. Check out the article The Missional Church. One of my favorite quotes is: The missional … [Read more...] about Tim Keller Talks Missional Ministry
True Repentance
Of what does true repentance consist? We tend to focus on actions — sacrifice this, pray that, promise to read the bible every day for a month — and so we jump through our self-prescribed hoops trying to act out repentance. In some ways, action-oriented repentance is easier. We have something tangible to do. We can see our progress; we can check off a box and pat ourselves … [Read more...] about True Repentance