This past weekend we hosted our annual in-town retreat, Ignite. I shared some of my thoughts prior to the event, but now I have the joy of looking back over a great time together. I will take with me many memories, but in particular, I will remember... The Joy of Partnership. We had an army of leaders partner together for Ignite. This weekend literally would not work … [Read more...] about Ignite Takeaways
ministry
The Beginning of Ignite
Every year for the last several years, we host a winter weekend retreat with our students at West Park. In the middle of dreary winter, the weekend together is meant to Ignite our faith by employing the various means of grace available to us. Some of the key ingredients include prayer, worship, community, recreation, service, and the word. These elements are interwoven into … [Read more...] about The Beginning of Ignite
Rethinking Short-Term Missions
Short-term mission trips have been scrutinized in recent years, receiving both constructive and critical feedback. I believe these mission trips still have their place, but we would do well to rethink our approach. Ramon Lull has written a helpful article over at DesiringGod.org about changing our perspective on "short-term" missions. Essentially, he argues we should prepare … [Read more...] about Rethinking Short-Term Missions
The Meaning of Missional and Why It Matters
Missional. It's a big buzzword in churches. Pastors love to use it. But what on earth does it really mean? Oh, buzzwords... Usually, they come and go quickly, but this buzzword is different. It's actually worth getting and keeping. The move to Missional represents an important shift in modern ministry and in our understanding of what it means to be a Christian. So what … [Read more...] about The Meaning of Missional and Why It Matters
Bryan Chapell on the Importance of Sermon Illustrations
A sermon of nothing but illustrations and stories feels thin and will leave the hearer hungry. But a sermon without any illustrations will fall short of deep impact. A healthy sermon needs truth illustrated. Bryan Chapell makes this point well in Using Illustrations to Preach with Power: "The mind yearns for, and needs, the concrete to anchor the … [Read more...] about Bryan Chapell on the Importance of Sermon Illustrations