By Chaplain Mike In contrast to the “Disneyized” bigger, better, event and attraction oriented approach of much that we call “ministry” today, there are pastors who understand the importance of daily faithfulness, quiet consistency, regular personal interaction with those in their congregations, and ministry activities like pastoral visitation and encouraging people to fulfill their vocationsContinue reading “Ajith Fernando on Pastoral Ministry”
Category Archives: Pastoral Ministry
Peterson on Jesus as the Way
By Chaplain Mike Yesterday, in the light of our “Disney-ization” post, a friend reminded me of an interview Eugene Peterson did with Christianity Today’s Mark Galli back in 2005 called, “Spirituality for All the Wrong Reasons.” This discussion between two of my favorite writers examines the “Jesus way” of living the spiritual life vs. variousContinue reading “Peterson on Jesus as the Way”
Guest Post: A Woman in Ministry
MOD NOTE: Angie merely summarized her position on women in ministry in this post. If you want to see a full expression of my Biblical position on egalitarianism, read “Why I Am an Egalitarian,” which I wrote in Sept. This will enable you to see the relevant Biblical texts without having to rehash them allContinue reading “Guest Post: A Woman in Ministry”
Tell Me About Your Day
By Chaplain Mike OK, so here is a brief report of some of the stories I heard on a recent day of visiting hospice patients and their families. (Details have been changed.) In the morning I visited an older man I have come to love. He has a strong faith and contagiously positive spirit. He’sContinue reading “Tell Me About Your Day”
Why I Am an “Egalitarian”
By Chaplain Mike Comments are now closed. Thanks to all who participated in an invigorating discussion. To be continued… One issue that came up in our recent series on The New Calvinism was that of the role of women in the church. The TNC position (as well as that of others) is generally complementarian, favorableContinue reading “Why I Am an “Egalitarian””
iMonk Classic: Dumb Up, Brother: A Spirituality of Ignorance
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted September 27, 2007 Somewhere in the backlogs of this web site I recounted what it was like being on staff at a church full of seminary students. Everyone knew so much that we had real difficulty doing anything- like buying stamps- without endless debate. Of course, thereContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Dumb Up, Brother: A Spirituality of Ignorance”
It Is Happening
By Chaplain Mike Although the church of Jesus Christ is found in many different places, she is one true church, not many. After all, there are many rays of sunlight, but only one sun. A tree has many boughs, each slightly different from others, but all drawing their strength from one source. Many streams mayContinue reading “It Is Happening”
The Sad State of Pastoral Thinking
By Chaplain Mike Every time I think I see a ray of hope in the evangelical church, I come across some pablum that reminds me how many asylums across the land have been taken over by the inmates. Take this recent example of pastoral “insight” from Perry Noble, published in the Christian Post. Please. TheContinue reading “The Sad State of Pastoral Thinking”
Opinion: Are We “At Our Courageous Best”?
By Chaplain Mike At their courageous best, clergy lead where people aren’t asking to go, because that’s how the range of issues that concern them expands, and how a holy community gets formed. • G. Jeffrey MacDonald How wonderful to open the New York Times Sunday edition this week and find a thoughtful word ofContinue reading “Opinion: Are We “At Our Courageous Best”?”
“What About Bob?” and Christian Ministry
By Guest Blogger Daniel Jepsen Note from Chaplain Mike: Dan has been a good friend for nearly 25 years, and a great partner in ministry. He is pastor of Franklin Community Church in Franklin, IN. He will be one of our new Liturgical Gangstas, who should reappear here at IM in August. Welcome, Daniel! IsContinue reading ““What About Bob?” and Christian Ministry”
The Internet Monk Archives 