Tag: Evangelism
-
Resources for Racial Reconciliation
Since February is designated as Black History Month in the USA, I wanted to take the opportunity to post something that might be helpful in the ongoing discussions about Racial Divides and Racial Reconciliation. Racial tension and racial division are major issues in our culture – and, sadly, still issues in the American Church. This…
-
Authentic Church: Road to a Re-newed Reality
I have been mulling on something the late Francis Schaeffer said: “There are four things which are absolutely necessary if we as Christians are going to meet the need of our age and the overwhelming pressure we are increasingly facing.” No doubt that the Church, in our culture as well as other cultures, faces increasing…
-
Is This Why We Don’t Engage Our Neighbors?
Here is a challenging perspective and good instruction from Leon Brown, church planter and pastor at Crown & Joy Presbyterian Church in South Richmond, Virginia: “I fear that one of the reasons we don’t know how to engage non-Christians to talk about Jesus is because we’ve forgotten how to have regular conversations. If the conversation…
-
Wise Words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Wise words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin.”
-
Culturally Literate Evangelism
Jonathan Dodson offers an astute assessment of the cultural landscape and some practical suggestions about how this effects the way we as Christians ought to engage in evangelistic efforts. What Dodson offers refelcts the best of contextual ministry: The message should not change, but understanding those to whom we are speaking, knowing their needs and…
-
Why Do People Find the Gospel Unbelieveable?
Why do people find the gospel unbelievable? That’s the question Jonathan Dodson askes. There is a sense in which people find the gospel unbelievable because it is incredibly good news that boggles the imagination. And yet I suspect that it is probably not this that makes much evangelistic desire and effort unfruitful. Dodson offers his…
-
Downward Slide
Ed Stetzer offers thoughts on the paradox he sees growing in Evangelical circles: Church planting and other ministry initiatives are on the rise, while evangelism is suffering a downward slide. Stetzer: Downward Slide
-
Honest Answer to Honest Questions, and Open Dialogue Wherever Possible
Boyce College professor, Denny Burk, has posted an interesting warning about a common tactic employed by some with theological agendas – especially those with liberalizing theological agendas. His post is titled: Should Churches “Dialogue” About Sexuality? Having read through it a couple of times I find myself appreciating Burk’s concern. Burk notes that many a subtle debate…
-
Ministering to Missing Millennials
Why are Millennials walking away from our churches? Why are a number of our own kids walking out the doors? Why does the church seem impotent to change the direction of this rising tide? While my wife and I are blessed to have all of our kids active in church, including our two college aged…
-
10 Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering
Do you have any Chrstmas gatherings to attend this holiday season? My thanks to Don Whitney for suggesting the following questions to spruce up the conversation, especially at church:
-
The Missional Puritan: On Mission With God
Hey, this Missional thing is nothing new! Listen to what the old English Puritan, John Owen, wrote in the 17th Century: God has work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off His authority. It is not enough that we be just, that we…
-
Pay Attention!
In his book, Joy Unspeakable, Martyn Lloyd-Jones notes: Pay attention! I am certain that the world outside is not going to pay much attention to all the organized efforts of the Christian church. The one thing she will pay attention to is a body of people filled with the spirit of rejoicing. That is how…
-
Religious Views of 20-Somethings
In a recent series for Leadership Journal‘s Out of Ur, Brandon O’Brien explores The Religious Views of 20-Somethings. This is worth exploring. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
-
The Un-Churched Next Door
It has been an encouraging trend. After several months during which we observed a score of painful defections from our church, the past few months have seen a rebound. We have been blessed to see a number of new folks join our fellowship. Among them are a handful of mature transplants, Christians new to our…
