Ed Stetzer on Christianity Is Christianity collapsing? There's a lot of research out there that says this very thing. My last session from the Accord conference left me doubting what I have believed to be true, especially within the North American context. Ed Stetzer laid out a very strong argument for the strength of the evangelical … Continue reading Christianity in North America and the Role of Mission/Development Partnerships
Reflections from Korea
What I anticipated was going to be just another conference, has been anything but that. Ya, plenty of papers have been read in fine academic style, but what has really stood out are those that I have met and become reacquainted with from previous ministry and international gatherings. In the words of Steve Bevans - … Continue reading Reflections from Korea
Child Evangelism – Toward a Participatory Approach
In a journal article entitled “Involving Children in Health and Social Research” the authors present an interesting question: Are children to be perceived as “human becomings or active beings” (Balen et al. 2006, 1)? It is argued that children should be recognized as social actors, rather than as “objects to be studied.” I would … Continue reading Child Evangelism – Toward a Participatory Approach
Equality in the Community
In Acts 4 we are reminded that, “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need” (vs.34). To say that there … Continue reading Equality in the Community
Christ in the Community
Christ in the Community Again, returning to Acts 4: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all” (vs.33). An important aspect of the early Christian community was their passion for serving Jesus Christ. Not only were the early believers one in … Continue reading Christ in the Community
Generosity in the Community of God
Again, returning to Acts 4:32-34 - “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” (vs. 32b). Many are surprised to find out that Scripture refers to material possessions more frequently than prayer and faith! God is concerned about material possessions! Why is it that after some … Continue reading Generosity in the Community of God
Oneness in the Community of God
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. … Continue reading Oneness in the Community of God
A Biblical Understanding of Community
The idea behind the word community in reference to the Church is critical for understanding how we are to live and function as a body. The New Testament clearly describes for us the importance of community in the book of Acts. The Church in Jerusalem made a clear and counter-cultural statement as they stood in … Continue reading A Biblical Understanding of Community
“Daddy, but I don’t want to go to church”
Have you ever heard those words before? I just did. So what to do? When we first moved here to Costa Rica, we heard those words frequently from our kids, but in the last year, less regularly. When I first asked him, why? He said, "because I want to play with my toys." In thinking … Continue reading “Daddy, but I don’t want to go to church”
de bible
Just ran across this great quote in an old book. "Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes" by Robert McAfee Brown. I'll let you guess what it says about my politics, but doubtless we will disagree on the power found in God's Word. Give it a try! It might just change your life … Continue reading de bible
Development and Justice 