Chaplainmike

Saturday Ramblings, May 10, 2014

Hello fellow imonkers. I hope you are enjoying your Saturday. The last few weeks I have poked fun at Chaplain Mike’s fandom of the Chicago Cubs. But since I respect Mike more highly than almost anyone I know, I have vowed to lay off. For a week. Did you know that one-fourth of American HispanicsContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings, May 10, 2014”

Witnessing a Birth

Last Sunday I had the privilege of experiencing something rather special. I was invited to attend the first ever service of a new church. For the last 30 years I have had a strong interest in church planting. When in seminary I wrote a thirty page paper on “Philosophies of Church Planting”. I have aContinue reading “Witnessing a Birth”

Daniel Grothe: Dripping Wet: Developing a Christian Imagination for Baptism

Note from CM: Our friend Adam Palmer recently introduced me (via email) to Daniel Grothe, who serves at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. After reading his blog, Edging Into The Mysteries, I agreed with Adam that Daniel has good things to say and that he says them well. So, he graciously agreed to shareContinue reading “Daniel Grothe: Dripping Wet: Developing a Christian Imagination for Baptism”

iMonk Classic: Grace Is As Dangerous As Ever

A classic Michael Spencer post from May, 2007. The last few weeks of my men’s morning Bible study has been about “Texts That Will Get You In Trouble,” and we spent two sessions on John 8, and Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery: “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Grace Is As Dangerous As Ever”

Paul Zahl: Grace in Pastoral Ministry

He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick until he brings justice to victory. – Matthew 12:20, NRSV * * * Pastors see many things. It is easy to get angry in ministry. One can become overwhelmed by brokenness, dysfunction, and trouble in people’s lives. A pastor feels responsible. AContinue reading “Paul Zahl: Grace in Pastoral Ministry”

Paul Zahl: Humor in the Pulpit

I remember well a special meeting we had in seminary when our wives were invited to join us for a discussion of marriage. One of the speakers was Walt Kaiser, one of my favorite profs at Trinity. Dr. Kaiser is among the most winsome people I’ve ever met. His lectures and preaching were always filledContinue reading “Paul Zahl: Humor in the Pulpit”

Ancient-Future Faith (4): Worship in a Postmodern World

As a young student in Bible college, newly awakened by the Spirit and called to pastoral ministry, I never had a single class on the subject of worship. So when I graduated and went into my first church armed with a guitar and accompanied by a wife who played the piano, we did what weContinue reading “Ancient-Future Faith (4): Worship in a Postmodern World”

Saturday Ramblings, May 3, 2014

Happy May, fellow imonkers. First, a quick baseball update (Chaplain Mike loves baseball updates): As of Friday, the Chicago Cubs have played 26 games (out of a 162 game schedule) and are only 9.5 games behind first place. If my math is correct (highly unlikely) this means that at this pace they will only beContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings, May 3, 2014”

Where there is no Vision…?

“Where there is no vision, the people perish . . .” – Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) Proverbs 29:18 may be one of the most misapplied verses in all the evangelical church today. Many a church leader has used it to spiritualize his strategies and blackmail followers into supporting his entrepreneurialism. Vision statements are cast. Mission statements are craftedContinue reading “Where there is no Vision…?”

Another Look: A Journey to Wonder

First posted August 24, 2010. This post gives an overview of my own story about a journey from evangelicalism to an “ancient-future” form of faith. Your own mileage may vary, of course, but I thought it important to put a personal touch on the things we’ve been discussing from Robert Webber this week. * *Continue reading “Another Look: A Journey to Wonder”