After my recent blog on the value of conferences a friend asked me about my anti-conference posting (although he agreed with me). Actually I’m not anti-conference but simply relativizing their value. When the experts speak who have already written on the subject, I’m not sure much more is accomplished by hearing them speak about what Read more

I recently commented on Mark Snoeberger’s blog that I was appalled that he had preached five messages from the Old Testament and only mentioned Christ in one.  Maybe “appalled” was a little strong and since Mark is not a pastor it may not be five messages over a five-week period in the same church. So Read more

I realized long ago that I am one of those messed up missionaries, or former missionary in my case. Over a decade in France and Romania ruined me for ministry in the US, at least in closed circles in which I ran. When our family returned stateside, I knew I could not pastor a church Read more

          Far be it from me to disparage seminary training or classes on church planting. For a number of years I taught seminary-level courses on both domestic and cross-cultural church planting at various institutions. Those classroom days seem to be over for the moment. For some odd reason (and some other good ones I’m sure Read more

One of the subjects we discussed at a recent gathering for Philly church planters was the assessment process and training for planting churches in urban areas. Many groups/movements provide assessments to help determine one’s giftedness, character, and calling to church planting. However, an assessment in California, Florida, or elsewhere by assessors without urban experience might Read more

          Last night my brother John and I met with a handful of Philly church planters, some who were meeting each other for the first time. There were men with Sovereign Grace Ministries, PCA, Vineyard, and Acts 29. And us, who at this time are not identified with any movement or denomination. What brought us Read more

          I’m just getting around to listening to the audio from the Preserving the Truth Conference. Among the topics treated was young earth creationism. YEC was presented as a “foundational truth that has to be preserved.” The speaker was a pastor who considers himself a scientist. As I was listening to the session on YEC I Read more

          A recent article on ShaperIron asked the question: “Why are the poor poor?” I'm not sure the right question is being asked or what a right answer will accomplish. However the reason why the poor are poor is relatively simple. Most poor people are BORN poor! Sure there are underlying causes, vicious cycles, but Read more

          Almost three years ago, while sitting in our little apartment on the outskirts of Paris, I wrote my first article for ShaperIron, an opinion on the direction of Fundamentalism as a movement. At that time I said: "What I am suggesting is that we may have entered a post-ism era where a movement will not define Read more

Here's a great thought for the day and every day:“When you’re tempted to doubt God’s love for you, stand before the cross and look at the wounded, dying, disfigured Savior, and realize why He is there. I believe His Father would whisper to us, ‘Isn’t this sufficient? I haven’t spared My own Son; I deformed Read more