December 16, 2024
The Communion table may be considered a “peace table,” for by these symbols of the bread and the juice we remember what the Prince of Peace accomplished, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20).
March 1, 2022
By Bobby Harrington Fifteen years ago, I started waking up every day focused on disciple-making. In my roles as a pastor, trainer of church planters, network leader, and coach, it became my obsession. I did this because I came to believe disciple-making is the core mission of the church. Just as importantly: I came to believe disciple-making is the key to Christian faithfulness in this cultural moment. Disciple-making has become such a passion that I have now published over 10 books on the topic, initiated and led multiple national conferences on the topic, and cofounded three national networks for church
September 1, 2021
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is well-known for penning the book The Cost of Discipleship about what it costs each of us to follow Jesus. In addition to that cost, discipleship—or disciple-making—also costs church leaders who take it seriously. I recently spoke with a lead pastor who serves not far from where I live. Our conversation went something like this: Me: Disciple-making is the mission Jesus gave to the church. Him: I think we need to focus more on evangelism. It seems like all I hear of late is “discipleship,” and [to me] it sounds like “work harder, learn more, go deep.” It
January 29, 2019
By David Roadcup This month I want to stir the church leadership pot with three pertinent questions: 1. What does God want from us with regard to shaping the lives of church members? In other words, what is to be the ultimate outcome of our ministry? Someone might say, “Why, evangelism, of course!” Evangelism is absolutely critical in God’s plan, but we need to go deeper. Someone else might say, “Discipleship and nurture.” Also true. Evangelism and discipleship are the two engines that drive us to fulfill God’s plan for his people. But God’s ultimate goal for his church
April 10, 2018
By Jackina Stark When Lynn’s mom died and then her dad three years later, she inherited many good things from her parents, including a little 14-year-old dog named Gracie who is now 17. Gracie is nearly blind and deaf and is beginning to experience congestive heart failure. She starts and ends her days with eye drops and pills. But she, like most pets, is sweet beyond words and can prance to the door to go out like a puppy. Lynn and her husband consider caring for Gracie the last gift to Lynn’s parents and tend to her with love. Gracie
December 29, 2015
By Mark A. Taylor Today, just four days after Christmas, some of us are ready for the celebration to be over. We”re tired of travel (or worn out by our houseguests), we”ve exchanged or returned gifts that weren”t right, and we”re looking forward to a little rest or maybe even getting back to work. And even if we loved every minute of our family Christmas, we may still pause to wonder whether the impact of the incarnation penetrated our celebration. And so, today, here”s a word of inspiration. The following is adapted from a column first posted here two years
December 22, 2015
By Becky Ahlberg Tuesday, December 22 “We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.”””Pope Paul VI The incarnation is a moment in history, but it also is a moment (or moments) for each one of us when “God with us” becomes a personal encounter. Recognizing that encounter changes things. There”s a palpable “before and after” that may not be definable, but it is discernable. It may come over time or in a deep “aha!” moment, but its effects are
May 5, 2015
By Mark A. Taylor Let me tell you about my new best friend, Bob. Bob”s the guy from the other end of the office who paused last week beside my cubicle, festooned with “Happy Birthday” banners and a big, red “65” in the middle of the display. Bob said, “Hey, wait a minute!” I looked up from my desk and smiled. “This isn”t real, right? This is a joke, right?” He was completely sincere. This fine man couldn”t believe I was celebrating the welcome-to-Medicare birthday. I”m not sure his reaction is due principally to the fact that he doesn”t wear
December 3, 2013
By Mark A. Taylor The gospel is born and bathed in mystery. How can we understand, how can we respond to what Jesus said and who Jesus was? He told his followers, “I am the light of the world” and, “You are the light of the world.” We and he are the same light? How? He commanded, “Be holy, even as I am holy.” How is that possible? He told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” and with the puzzled Pharisee, the first-time reader asks, “How can a grown man climb back into the womb?” The greatest mystery, of course,
By Jan Johnson When people ask about the college classes I teach, I hesitate to name this one: Developing Spiritual Disciplines. Why? Because they usually look at me as if I”d just asked to give them a flu shot. So I quickly add, “But we have a wonderful time! Students do interesting experiments and report encounters with God that make me cry when I grade their papers.” Then their faces soften. The idea of spiritual disciplines is frequently misunderstood. The crux of a person”s misunderstanding is in thinking that disciplines are about them. No, spiritual disciplines are about God. So
October 22, 2011
By Matt Proctor Think of them as love letters. Read them out loud like a sermon. Notice the wide range of literary tools their authors employed. Discover the truth and power waiting for every reader in these inspired letters from God. Some time ago, my wife, Katie, and I were rummaging through a box of old college keepsakes. I reached for a large manila envelope, wondering what was inside. Old love letters! I pulled out a thick stack of envelopes Katie had sent me one summer when we were dating. We had been apart all that summer, and I remember waiting eagerly for
March 8, 2011
By Jan Johnson As the plane descended that Saturday evening, I watched forest fires raging over my special place on the planet: Southern California. Fire after fire lined the eastern corridor to Los Angeles. Once home, I could see the sky lit up and the hills above us on fire. The next morning as the winds picked up, firefighters knocked on our door and told us to pack up to be ready to leave. But the fire receded and they didn”t come back, so we went wandering toward the hills to gaze at the fire. That”s when I did something
March 7, 2011
By David Roadcup Shepherding. Discipleship. Member development and conservation. Church leaders know each of these functions is critical if their congregation is to be healthy and fruitful. We know assimilation and development of individual Christians is important, because we”ve read the Scriptures that explain what should happen in the lives of those we evangelize. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus clearly indicates that we are to teach new believers “to observe all that I commanded you.”1 Teaching and development need to occur after evangelism. Colossians is replete with the apostle Paul”s desire for the believer”s maturity. Paul writes, “We proclaim
October 1, 2006
Is prayerlessness sin? Dave Butts explores what a lack of prayer reveals about self-dependence, love for the Lord, and concern for Christ’s kingdom—and encourages believers to take the next step forward in a life of prayer.
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