Because we are in a world now that is not nearly so hierarchical as other generations were, it is possible for your congregation to network laterally with other congregations that are equally faithful. And that is exactly what’s happening in the New Wineskins network of churches, the Confessing Church Network, there are such networks available,… Continue reading The Reformed Church in the Reformed Tradition
Tag: Christianity
What Happens When The Emerging Church Holds Up A Mirror To The Established Church
Brian Mclaren recently addressed the 2008 Lambeth Conference (see Wikipedia), and while he does not (despite media opinion to the contrary) represent the entirety (one could question even a significant minority) of the MEECM, it is often worthwhile to hear what he has to say. In the article above, there are a couple of quotes… Continue reading What Happens When The Emerging Church Holds Up A Mirror To The Established Church
In The Darkness, A Light Shines
This post has been a long time in coming, both writing, thinking, and living. The darkness closes in. You can’t breathe. It is hard to fight for that breath. You can sense the deeper darkness of a chasm you cannot see, but know is there. You are coming close to the edge of the chasm.Almost… Continue reading In The Darkness, A Light Shines
The Boring Life-Saving Stuff
In Jesus and Context, John Frye uses the collective experience of pre-flight safety instruction, and applies it to the eternal saving instructions. Have you ever been bored silly listening once again to the flight attendant rattling off the routine… …should the cabin pressure actually drop at 30,000 feet and those little yellow masks make their… Continue reading The Boring Life-Saving Stuff
The True Christian Family?
In today’s Daily Reflection, Mark Roberts talks about Matthew 12:50 using some very strong language. “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Matthew 12:50 He points out that this applies even to “Christian” families, or very specifically to Christians. Despite “Christian” “family values,” it is… Continue reading The True Christian Family?
Beware of Following the Trend
There are far too many churches that are trying to follow the trends in an attempt to “grow” their congregations. The first problem is that they are focusing on quantity not quality. The second problem is that the churches are always a few years behind. A huge number of churches are trying to be “relevant”,… Continue reading Beware of Following the Trend
My Feet (Should) Hurt
This impulse appears in broader Christian culture. The title of a book by the bestselling author of Boundaries (Zondervan, 2002) says it all: Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t (Zondervan, 1996). We’ve learned to protect ourselves with spiritual gifts inventories: “I’m afraid I can’t help… Continue reading My Feet (Should) Hurt
Church-Going Facades
It’s easy for Christians in our day to fall into the “showy religiosity” pit. We put on our happiest face at church, even though our hearts are far from the Lord. Or we look as if we’re worshipping with zeal when our minds are wandering. Avoiding a Show of Religiosity Daily Reflection and Prayer by… Continue reading Church-Going Facades
What Does God Want From Me?! What Does He Want From You?!
My eldest son came to me after taking a shower. He walked up to me and put his arms around me, and said, “I love you, Daddy.” My heart is so warmed by those four words, especially from him, as he is the child with whom I struggle the most. What does that have to… Continue reading What Does God Want From Me?! What Does He Want From You?!
The Form of the Future
When I’m operating under restrictions, I definitely feel constrained by them, but without those restraints, it doesn’t seem as if I my actions are actually accomplishing anything. …the Net truly is vast and infinite. Who knows, maybe a new society we’ve never even dreamed of is already being born I greatly enjoy Japanese anime. There… Continue reading The Form of the Future