Members only?
🏕️ A summer camping trip taught me a crucial lesson about church.
When a community has "members" who've invested heavily and "non-members" who just pay to play... tension is inevitable.
Does this dynamic ever creep into our church family?
In my new blog post, I'm exploring the difference between an exclusive club and a church on a mission. Let's make sure we're on the right track together.
Read "Members, Guests, and the Mission" on the blog now! #Church #Mission #Community
How many Churches are there?
The last time I checked there were about 24 congregations listed in the local newspaper. If you were to search for "church" in Edmonton, you'd find hundreds!
Every so often I need the reminder that God only sees 1 Church. While there are many expressions and opinions and nuances emphasized in various congregations, God only has 1 church. The Body of Christ...those who believe in and follow the ways of Jesus. …
Dedication, Christening, Infant Baptism...
Children are worth celebrating! There can come a time when parents want to do something special to acknowledge the spiritual life of the child, the connection with God and the church. There are different approaches to this important event in the life of a family. Some churches have “christenings” or “baptism of infants”. In most cases, this is the church’s way of making sure that the child is “safe” in case he or she should die before reaching the “age of accountability”. It comes close to implying that baptism = salvation. …
Spiritual Gifts…what’s yours?
This past Sunday I preached on Spiritual gifts from 1 Corinthians 12. It’s a passage of scripture worth your read again. The simple summary is that Spiritual Gifts:
Spiritual Conversations
Sometimes it can feel intimidating for Christians to think about doing "Evangelism." The very word may bring a flood of varied images to one's mind, with many not being positive. But what if it didn't have to be like that?
Believers or Disciples
If a “believer” is only someone who gives mental assent to the existence of Jesus, then there’s a difference between “believers” and disciples of Jesus.
However, if we accept the biblical understanding of “believer” as “someone who puts their trust/faith in” Jesus, then there’s not such a contrast. Becoming a Believer is more like the first step on the path of discipleship.
Back to Basics
When I have the privilege of leading someone to a relationship with Jesus, it is so exciting! As I share with them, it also reminds me of some of the basic truths about being Jesus' follower that I can forget in my day-to-day life.
What Grace…
A friend in the Air Force once told me that their unofficial slogan was “Work Smarter, Not Harder.” Many of us have heard this pithy advice at some point and been delighted by the discovery of an easier way to do things that accomplishes the same results.
More than political…
Some words create division and cause confusion easily.
Here’s two: liberal & conservative.
Rarely do two people mean the same thing when they use these words. …
Watch out for the Umpires!
That’s the gist of what we talked about on Sunday as we explored Colossians 2:16-23. In both verses 16 and 18 we find the warnings, “do not let anyone judge you… and do not let anyone…disqualify you.” The congregation in Colossae had some people who had appointed themselves arbiters of Christian faith and practice.
What is God’s Will for me?
Does God have a particular course of action in mind for me or do I cooperate with God to create possibilities?
Hurts So Good…
Sometimes our growth requires some pain, good pain. Things that help us realize the changes we need to make or circumstances we need to accept …
Learning as we go.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray… and we can do the same.
A Prayerful Posture…
What experiences might cause a person to be uncomfortable by a sign that says “Free Prayer”?
Your Story…
You have a unique gift that can have a profound impact on those around you if wielded well…
Service Provider or Spiritual Community?
Low attendance at an event can be a real downer. It causes me to ask questions that are sometimes productive and other times unproductive. Perhaps the program is failing? Maybe we should stop and/or try something else? Sometimes we might just need a shift in perspective.
