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)”
Category Archives: Church
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)”
Open Mic: A New “Emerging” Church
CM: I’m sorry I haven’t been able to moderate as closely as I’d hoped today. I’m going to close the comments. I think we’ve covered this enough for now. I’m more convinced than ever that we as Christians are going to have to learn to talk about issues like this in more loving and helpful ways. We’llContinue reading “Open Mic: A New “Emerging” Church”
Another Look: A Suggested Program for the Church
By Chaplain Mike Note from CM: One of the questions I received for the “Ask Chaplain Mike” series was this: “If you were in the process of becoming a new pastor in an established church, what would your first priority be? How would you arrive at it?” The answer to that question is bigger thanContinue reading “Another Look: A Suggested Program for the Church”
Two Churches that Closed Down the “Show”
By Chaplain Mike This week, as we’ve been discussing the church, I have read two intriguing stories of megachurches that began and grew explosively using an attractional, seeker-oriented philosophy of ministry, but then decided that approach was contrary to Jesus’ call to discipleship. So they closed down the “show,” re-ordered their priorities, revamped their programs,Continue reading “Two Churches that Closed Down the “Show””
iMonk Classic: On the “One True Church”
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From January 24, 2009 Note from CM: Back in Jan. 2009, Michael wrote a piece called, “Theology, Depression and the Unsolvable Problem of the Right Church.” Today, we present an excerpt from that post for Ecclesia Week. In this essay, the iMonk tries to temper our desire to findContinue reading “iMonk Classic: On the “One True Church””
Some Things I Believe about the Church (at this point)
By Chaplain Mike As I did with the Bible, I now present five basic points in my thinking about the church. This is by no means an exhaustive list; just a summary of a few of the thoughts that shape my perspectives at this time in my own understanding. I hope they will provide fertileContinue reading “Some Things I Believe about the Church (at this point)”
Water, water everywhere…
By Chaplain Mike So, while I’ve been thinking about churches, I thought I would try to get a handle on what congregations meet and minister in my community. First, let me tell you about where I live. It’s a small town in central Indiana, a nice old-fashioned, Midwestern community. The town was founded in 1823.Continue reading “Water, water everywhere…”
Open Mic: What’s a “Biblical” Church?
By Chaplain Mike For our open thread discussion today, I would like to ask you some questions based on a quote I read the other day. I am not going to give the source of the quote because I don’t want to get responses about the person or the ministry or tradition he represents. SufficeContinue reading “Open Mic: What’s a “Biblical” Church?”
The Internet Monk Archives 