By Amy Frykholm, at Christian Century (found at Jesus Creed): One thing is clear: a church shouldn’t measure the effectiveness of its ministries solely by counting members. “Let’s say that JoAnn has joined a committee. Great. I can measure that,” said Mueller. “But let’s say that Mark is living his baptism in committed ways in his daily … More Church Membership in a Consumer Culture
Can you articulate the main plot of the entire Old Testament story? What’s the overarching big story of which the smaller episodes are a part? Here’s my attempt to capture the essence of the OT story with key moments/themes in BOLD. The Creation story presents a picture of humanity initially living in proper relationship with … More Old Testament Overview: A Story in Search of a Conclusion
Here’s another reflection from Pastor David Brown. We have a gopher problem. I am not sure if it is one gopher or two or many. What i do know is that last fall mounds started appearing on the rear edge of our back yard. I haven’t found any new mounds this year, but i have … More The Gopher & the Pacifist (by David Brown)
Daniel Kirk highlighted this significant debate from the Twitterverse the other day. Here’s his thoughts — and I agree with him. -JB Daniel Kirk wrote: Yesterday in the Twitterverse the following quote was going around: The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays. … More What Does Prayer Accomplish? (D. Kirk)
We’re all like lumps of clay that over time have been shaped and molded by dozens of influential hands — and experiences and words and ideas and moments and conversations and books and dreams and successes and failures — but mostly people. I am a firm believer in learning from people of different persuasions, and … More Some Key Influences
We’re going through the Sermon on the Mount this summer at MainStreet. This week we covered the Beatitudes. Here’s John Stott’s concise, insightful summary of these 8 countercultural kingdom qualities Jesus calls us to develop. Blessed are (1) the poor in spirit, (2) those who mourn, (3) the meek, (4) those who hunger and thirst … More John Stott on the Beatitudes
WATCH: John Piper interviews Rick Warren on Doctrinal Issues
James 2:14-18, 24 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well … More On the Sideline (by Mike Fox)
I highly recommend this! I will be attending and hope to bring along with me as many MainStreet friends as possible. This will be a fun, thought-provoking field trip together. -JB Woodland Hills Church’s next Q&A with Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy is coming up on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. There has been … More Heaven & Hell Q & A
I’m pleased to introduce a new Daily Luminary, my friend Mike Fox, whose Bible reflections we’ll be featuring occasionally in the weeks ahead. Enjoy! And if you or somebody you know would like to share a written piece at Daily Illumination please send it my way. -JB Matt 25:37-40 37 “Then the righteous will answer … More Expectations (by Mike Fox)
I just spent 3 days up north on a personal retreat – alone. Well, not alone. I carefully chose my weekend companion and mentor. His name is Eugene Peterson. More than just the translator of the well-known The Message Bible, he’s truly “a pastor’s pastor” par excellent, and has finally set down his own spiritual … More My 3 Days with Eugene Peterson
Well, if the Bible is correct and today’s Judgment Day prediction is also correct, then we have to conclude that the thief comes with quite a bit more fanfare and warning than I had ever imagined — at 6 p.m. sharp. “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come … More What Manner of Thief is This?
A good reminder from Mike Glenn: A recent article in the Tennessean showed that less than half of the families in Middle Tennessee were headed by the traditional father and mother. While there are a lot of factors that have brought us to this new reality, one of those factors is the increasing numbers of … More ‘Til Death Do Us Part (by Mike Glenn)
Here are Ben Witherington’s top ten reasons why you should pay exactly no attention to Mr. Harold Camping and his false predictions about the May 21 Rapture: No. 10— Every such prediction since the time of Christ has had an 100% failure rate! That should have put a stop to theological weather forecasting, but alas, … More 10 Reasons to Not Go Camping on May 21 (Witherington)
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as … More QUOTABLES: No Ordinary People (C.S. Lewis)
God loves reluctant leaders and, even better, he loves reluctant leaders who know they are frightened, confused, and broken. In fact, he seems to have a special fondness for rebels and fools. Does God choose troubled leaders because few other people are foolish enough to say yes, or does he choose weak, troubled people because … More QUOTABLES: Dan Allender & the Reluctant Leader
What do you think of Greg’s challenge today? In what is hands-down the most amazing prayer ever recorded, Jesus prayed to his Father that his disciples “may be one…just as you are in me and I am in you” so that “the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn.17:21). In other words, Jesus … More The “Heresy” of Failing to Love (by Greg Boyd)
I was pointed to a fascinating fictitious interview between John Wesley and John Calvin and a more modern Wesleyan moderated (and written by) Professor Keith Drury. This is a helpful way to understand the differences between these two schools of theology. Enjoy! Keith Drury: I’m delighted to have all three of you together to discuss your points … More A Conversation with Calvin & Wesley
From Relevant Magazine, March 14-16, 2011 1. Are you in danger of neglecting evangelism in your passion for social justice? 2. Are you in danger of abandoning an affirmation of moral and intellectual truth? 3. Will you honor your marriage vows? 4. As you seek to respect the dignity of gay/lesbian people, have you wrestled … More Ron Sider’s Open Letter to Young Christians
Kingdom Harbor 