Tag: Holistic Ministry
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Distinct, Not Separated
John Stott offers a reminder of the task and the tension we, as Christians, must continually navigate when he uses the phrase: “spiritually distinct, but NOT socially segregated.” And here is a quote expanding this perspective: Your business and mine as Christian people is to be in the midst of this world and its affairs,…
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Friend of Kuyper
For the better part of the 20th Century the Protestant Church in the USA seemed to have divided into two camps: Those interested in Evangelism and those concerned for Social Issues. Which one adopted pretty clearly fell along the lines of how seriously one took the Bible. Conservatives lined up for Evangelism; Liberals for Social…
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Taking Pieces of Heaven to Place of Hell On Earth
Jesus says: “I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not stand up…” –Matthew 16.18 First it is important to remind ourselves that in this challenge Jesus is calling his church to take an Offensive stike, not a Defensive response. The church is to take the initiative, go, and storm the gates. This verse…
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Reflecting Jesus in Christ’s Church
If, as most Christians profess, Jesus is indeed the only Head of the Church, it seems reasonable that Christ’s Church should reflect His personality in it’s ministries and structure. One way that Jesus is reflected in the ministry of faithful churches has been the recovery of a balanced Word & Deed holistic ministry. By balanced…
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Missing the Missional Mark
To read something I disagree with on the Internet is not an unusual thing. When what I disagree with comes from a source that I respect – highly respect – it makes me somewhat uncomfortable. When the source I respect seems to oppose what I hold, well that is just down-right disappointing. But that is the…
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Studies in 1 John: Compassion Among Brothers
In my study through 1 John I had to pause and go back over one verse this week. Having preached from 1 John 3:11-18 last week, and John’s assertion that Christians are to be characterized by love for one another if Christ is in actuality alive in them, I am struck by v. 17:…
