Over 2000 years ago, Jesus boldly declared that he would build his ‘church’ (Matthew 16:17-19). The church was his idea and there is nothing else that he said he would build. It is his master project and all of his energies are focused on completing it. It is part of his eternal purposes (Ephesians 3:10-11). … Continue reading re-Imagining Church (Pt.1)
An Unstoppable Force
Another excellent book on the church is An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind by Erwin McManus. Erwin is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic in Los Angeles. He one of the most creative and innovative thinkers and church leaders I have ever met. Erwin shows us that God desires the church … Continue reading An Unstoppable Force
Essential Church
The book Essential Church, by Thom S. Rainer and his son, presents recent research that indicates that more than two-thirds of church-going young adults drop out between the ages of 18 and 22. The research was done by Lifeway Christian Resources. Here are the top 10 reasons: Simply wanted a break from church. Church … Continue reading Essential Church
The Purpose-Driven Church
Rick Warren's best-selling book The Purpose Driven Church has become a bit of a classic since its release in 1995. Rick is the pastor of Saddleback Church in California and the founder of pastors.com, an excellent web site resource for church leaders. Each church is driven by something - tradition, personality, or programs. Rick proposes that churches … Continue reading The Purpose-Driven Church
The Forgotten Ways
The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch is a book about 'reactivating the missional church'. Alan calls us back to the beginning - to what he calls 'apostolic DNA'. This apostolic genius has six ingredients: Jesus as Lord, disciple-making, missional-incarnational impulse, apostolic environment, organic systems, and communitas. Alan critiques contemporary church growth models, making a call for a … Continue reading The Forgotten Ways
Dealing with Grief
Anytime we lose something or someone special to us we experience grief. Grief is our natural emotional response to loss of any kind. Many people are facing this right now through the tragedy of the bush fires here in Victoria - the loss of friends, family members, and loved ones, as well as the loss … Continue reading Dealing with Grief
Helping Children Process Tragedy
As we continue to sort through all of the various emotions and heartache of the bush fires here in Victoria, lots of questions are raised and all sorts of discussions result. The age-old question of "Why?" emerges once again, a question that people have grappled with for centuries on end. Even as adults, we often … Continue reading Helping Children Process Tragedy
Responding to the Bush Fire Tragedy
Tragedies such as the current bush fires, often bring out the best and worst of humanity. To hear of people looting, vandalising, setting up fraudulent fund-raising schemes, and even committing arson, is so shocking and sad. In contrast, to see how most people rise to the challenge to support and help each other with genuine … Continue reading Responding to the Bush Fire Tragedy
Are the Bush Fires the Judgment of God?
Whenever there is a tragedy or disaster in our world, conversations about the judgment of God often emerge. This is a sensitive topic that needs to be handled with care. Are the recent bush fires in Victoria the judgment of God? What about that person who died in a car accident last week, that person … Continue reading Are the Bush Fires the Judgment of God?
Bush Fires
Our State of Victoria is caught up in the worst round of bush fires in our history. Over 200 people have died as a result of the fires and over 1850 homes have been destroyed. This is a tragic situation and it is so sad to think that a number of the fires may have … Continue reading Bush Fires
Pagan Christianity?
Frank Viola and George Barna's book Pagan Christianity boldly declares that everything most churches are doing is wrong: meeting in church buildings, having an order of worship, sermons, pastors, Sunday morning dress, ministers of music, tithing and clergy salaries, the way baptism and the Lord’s Supper are conducted, as well as Christian education. These are not the … Continue reading Pagan Christianity?
ReJesus
I have just finished reading the book ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church by Alan Hirsch and Michael Frost. The authors put forth a challenge for a re-reinstatement of Jesus as the central focus of our spiritual lives - both as disciples and as communities of his people. It's time we let go of … Continue reading ReJesus
Potential
Potential – we all have it. It’s like a treasure chest waiting to be unpacked. It’s all about who we can become and what we can do to make the world a better place. Most people don’t see their potential. They tend to see their faults and their limitations. Often it takes other people to … Continue reading Potential