Author Archives: Chaplainmike

iMonk Classic: The Light of a Most Obvious Question

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From December, 2005 A few weeks ago, I listened to an extraordinary sermon, but not extraordinary in the way you might think. The absence of Jesus in the sermon shook me. Jesus was never mentioned. Not once. Not anywhere. Not ever. Not in any way. Not in the introduction.Continue reading “iMonk Classic: The Light of a Most Obvious Question”

Advent III: The Winter Sun Is Warm

Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2012 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Prayer of the Day Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to yourContinue reading “Advent III: The Winter Sun Is Warm”

Saturday Ramblings 12.10.11

You may have noticed this week’s Ramblings was a bit delayed. It’s not my fault. One of my good friends tempted me with free tickets to a hockey game Friday night when I would normally be writing. How could I refuse? And while Tulsa won—in a shootout, no less—there were no fights. None. I mean,Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 12.10.11”

Mark D. Roberts: All Pastoring Is Personal

All Pastoring Is Personal From The Pastor’s Workshop Used with permission of the author Earlier this week, we reviewed Mark Roberts’ book introducing Advent. How happy I was when I went over to his blog and saw that he too has been writing on the subject of pastoral ministry. In fact, he has an excellentContinue reading “Mark D. Roberts: All Pastoring Is Personal”

We Have All the “Tools” We Need (3)

This is the third and final installment of a little “back to basics” article for Christian ministers. Peter, the one Jesus charged to “feed [his] sheep,” wrote in his second epistle, “So I intend to go on and on reminding you about all this — even though you know it, and have been firmly establishedContinue reading “We Have All the “Tools” We Need (3)”

We Have All the “Tools” We Need (2)

This is part two of a piece in which I contend that, in essence, no new tools have been invented since the days of Jesus and the apostles (save one) that are absolutely essential for us to fulfill the Great Commission or encourage spiritual formation in the church. My focus is on pastoral ministry, becauseContinue reading “We Have All the “Tools” We Need (2)”

We Have All the “Tools” We Need (1)

These next two posts are going to sound hopelessly idealistic and naive. Sorry, but I don’t care. I am an educated person who is in his mid-fifties. I’ve been around the block a few times, and I understand fully that the world is not simple. I know we need competent people to do research ofContinue reading “We Have All the “Tools” We Need (1)”

Pete Enns: Honor Your Head. Don’t Live In It.

Honor Your Head. Don’t Live in It. From Peter Enns…rethinking biblical christianity Reprinted with the author’s permission One of my favorite Biblical scholars writing today is Peter Enns. At his blog, Biologos, and in his books, he works through complex issues of biblical interpretation and the relationship of the Bible and Christian thinking to theContinue reading “Pete Enns: Honor Your Head. Don’t Live In It.”