Author Archives: Chaplainmike

A Simple, Winsome Intro to Advent

Discovering Advent: How to Experience the Power of Waiting on God at Christmastime, by Mark D. Roberts ✓ Ebook available from Amazon or Barnes & Noble • • • Mark D. Roberts blogs on Patheos at his site, “Reflections on Christ, Church, and Culture.” Over the years, he has become an admitted “Adventophile,” and hisContinue reading “A Simple, Winsome Intro to Advent”

Before We Can Become Gods We Must Be Men

Monday Merton Musings, December 5, 2011 Before We Can Become Gods We Must Be Men Thomas Merton contended that human beings have lost a great deal in modern, technological society. What we have gained in efficiency and productivity has, in many ways, sucked the humanity and spirituality from our inner beings. In this meditation fromContinue reading “Before We Can Become Gods We Must Be Men”

Update: Tod Bolsinger thinks now is not the time for “chaplain” pastors

Tod Bolsinger disagrees with Mark Galli. In a post on his blog, Bolsinger writes, “We Need Chaplains…Just not More Of Them…Not Now.” He says he is right there with Galli when it comes to critiquing the megachurch model and the corporate-style leadership such congregations have. “If leader means “someone who makes the organization grow inContinue reading “Update: Tod Bolsinger thinks now is not the time for “chaplain” pastors”

In Praise of the “Chaplain” Pastor

Mark Galli is speaking my language (again). Every pastor and church leader needs to read his article, “Why We Need More ‘Chaplains’ and Fewer Leaders.” Much to my personal dismay, “chaplain” is apparently a dirty word — at least to those who claim to know what makes a good leader in a healthy church. MarkContinue reading “In Praise of the “Chaplain” Pastor”

iMonk Classic: Skip the Carping this Advent

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From December, 2006 NOTE: Michael Spencer had many friends with whom he regularly conversed at The Boar’s Head Tavern. Each year they run an Advent blog called, “Go to Bethlehem and See.” I encourage our IM readers to check it out. Today’s classic iMonk post is from the 2006Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Skip the Carping this Advent”