Chew on this quote: “If you came to Christ out of being the younger brother, there is always the danger of partially relapsing into addictions or other younger brother sins. But if you’ve become a Christian out of being an elder brother, you can even more easily slide back into elder-brother attitudes and spiritual deadness. If you have not grasped the gospel fully and deeply, you will return to being condescending, condemning, anxious, insecure, joyless, and angry all the time.” -Tim … [Read more...] about More Gospel Please
Holiness
Where does holiness figure into your own spiritual walk? Holiness is a topic I bat around in my mind quite often. Obviously, I'm for it. But I'm not always sure what form it should take and by which path it should be sought. I've seen outside-in holiness from the fundamentalist's camp. I've seen inside-out holiness from the reformed camp. But both seem to lack something. Rules and regulations so often prove ineffective. The desert fathers learned this lesson. You can take the … [Read more...] about Holiness
Is Church-Planting the Best Option
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 new congregations." For Ed, this was disappointing. I'm curious…what do you think? Some people say church planting … [Read more...] about Is Church-Planting the Best Option
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 changing some of these--for instance the appeal of wealth and power--by any change in the [social] machinery…No amount … [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 come from the overflow of our hearts. Peter writes, “shepherd the flock of God…not under compulsion, but willingly, as … [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 church avoids sentimental, pompous, 'inspirational' talk .Instead we engage the culture with gentle, … [Read more...] about Tim Keller Talks Missional Ministry