Remember all those Sunday school lessons, Vacation Bible Schools, retreats, mission trips, and worship services? Their purpose was to help shape and mature us as Christ followers so that now we can demonstrate what it looks like to be people of peace, grace, love, and...
Sometimes when we are disappointed in our church and its leadership, it’s because we are expecting our church to make us happy…expecting what it’s not designed to give. Becoming happy in life is a personal project that can’t be outsourced to others, even one’s...
Maybe your script was scapegoat, absorbing the family shameMaybe your script was hero, performing to give them proud wins Maybe your script was lost child, trying to stay under the radar, denying your needsRegardless of what your family needed you to be, or how you...
When we expect our church to never offend and always affirm our social, political, or personal sensibilities, we are looking for a mutual admiration society. Church is designed to transform us into a contrast community gathered around the Way of Jesus. Let's align our...
Fear-based church invitations ("come join us to boost our organizational strength so we can be church in the way to which we are accustomed") are like spiritual bug repellent to anyone curious about church.
So what are we inviting ourselves and others into? For those who’ve been out for a while, what are we inviting them back to? ...When we can step out of our institutional concerns, reconnecting with the essence of our faith, we remember the Way of life to which Jesus...
Moving into this new space in life wherein kids are launched, elders are recently deceased or still self-sufficient, and vocational rhythm is flowing...major life responsibilities are receding and new freedom is increasing. After resting up and playing more, we have...
Before assuming we are being ignored or shunned because of our faith, reflection may show we are using our faith to be abrasive, prove we are right, or socially obnoxious. If our faith makes us jerks, we may not be centered in Christ. Just sayin'.
Our faith was never about aligning with Caesar's earthly power to get what we want. From the beginning, this Way of Jesus was counter-cultural, presenting a radically different way to be in this world based on spiritual power. The way of Caesar is no substitute for...
The gospel doesn’t need defending As if it would wither with questioning The gospel needs embodiment As if it would change the world when livedThat is all