There are many things in church planting over which you have no control. Really over most things. You do what you know to do, can do, and then stand back and see God at work. I saw this while in line recently at the post office. I rarely stand in line at the post office, Read more
One of our elders at Grace Church, John Leone, has written and spoken extensively on the relationship of the gospel and mercy ministries. Please read this message he preached at our church.
From my conversations with pastors and church planters I do think that church planters are more attached to exploring missional ideas because they are looking for ways to bring the gospel to people rather than simply bringing people to church (although that's okay). I've spoken with church staff including pastors who told me that they can go Read more
Is there something about hands-on church planting and/or living and serving in urban areas which makes you think missionally in a different way? In other words, does context in some sense determine content, direct outreach and effect outcomes? I'm wondering out loud as I hear debates on the missional church or on missional church planting. Read more
Earlier this year I received an email from one of my alma maters encouraging me and other graduates to support a political candidate who also happened to be a graduate of said institution. I know the man personally and have high regard for him. I would've voted for him in the primaries but was not Read more
The term "social justice" has long been controversial and means different things to different people. Earlier this year Glenn Beck encouraged Christians to leave churches that preach social justice. Should Christians heed the advice of a Mormon? That's another issue but let me say "NO"! Kevin DeYoung has wisely suggested that Christians not use the term Read more
After planting a church in Philadelphia in 1982, my wife and I with children went to France in 1988 to work with a French national to plant churches. One of my mistakes was thinking that since I had planted a church in Philadelphia that I knew something about planting churches in France. I thought Read more
Some churches are intentionally begun with a core group of believers with a sending church's blessing. Other churches are planted where there are not many believers to start with and will usually take longer to get off the ground and reach a level of sustainability. It's a catch-22 because it is a blessing to have Read more
Over the last few months I have written a number of articles on church planting, part chronicle, part theory, and part musings. The most recent one on SharperIron was picked up by a few blogs and described with the words in the title. One blogger thought the series should have been called “Provocations.” Another called Read more
No, this is not about whether or not we have an American flag in our meeting place. We don't. We won’t. Neither do we have a Christian flag. Why we don't is for another post. The flags to which I'm referring are more of a theological nature. These are positions or code words which identify Read more
