It’s that time of year! Our hearts are more inclined to turn to the needs of others at this season. We have multiplied opportunities for giving to the poor and needy. We also find joy in giving to those we love and those who dearest to us. Question! As you consider the needs of other …
Category Archives: Evangelism
Unhinderedly [Acts 28:31]
Acts 28:31 ESV says, “…proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” There it is! The last word of the last verse of the last chapter of Acts. A Greek word which I translate “unhinderedly.” The ESV gets the flavor and significance of the Greek …
Seeking, Sharing, Serving
Jesus came teaching, preaching and healing (Matt. 4:23). He did not always do those things in that order. At times he taught first, at times he preached first, at times he healed first. He did what was needed to gain the attention of the people he came to serve. He saw the needs of the …
Churches of Christ: Has our ‘culture’ changed?
In the question raised in the title, the culture of a church refers to purpose, thinking, values, worldview, content and method of communication. Some have called this the DNA of the church. Few observers would deny that the contemporary church has less focus on and fewer expectations regarding evangelism. There is less focus on bringing …
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Magnet or Springboard?
The weekend leadership and planning seminar touched numerous topics as the church leaders discussed the unique challenges of the local congregation. The church is like many other urban churches in that most of the members drive fairly long distances to attend worship and activities at the building. The result is predictable–with the exception of Sunday …
We Are Not Doing What We Know to Do
[Note: A blog posting edited and forwarded–explanation of the two older comments.] Although my previous blog was titled, “What we are doing isn’t working”, my reflections since writing that piece have led me to conclude that the problem is most likely not what we are doing, but what we are not doing. To borrow a term common in the …
What We Are Doing Isn’t Working!
I reject pragmatism! I do not want to make decisions (especially decisions about church, ministry, and missions) based exclusively on “what works”. Yes, I admit that sometimes doing what God wants does not yield immediate results. I also admit that doing what God wants may not yield results at all. Church history reminds us that …
Missional Evangelism
Contemporary surveys suggest that between two-thirds and three-fourths of those we encounter daily are essentially unchurched, connected only casually or nominally with a church or faith community. This does not mean that they are not spiritual, or even religious, but only that they are not practicing that faith in the context of a Christian religious group. …
A New Reformation: Where are we going?
Throughout the history of the Christian church, Christianity has been constantly shaped and reshaped with various groups and sub-groups. Fairly early in Christian history, Catholicism divided into eastern and western groups—Orthodox and Roman (Eastern and Western). In the Reformation, (Roman) Catholicism was opposed by Christian reformers. The nationalism of the European Reformation was one motivation …
It’s Sunday Again: How was evangelism a part of my week?
I am firmly committed to planning my activities. I maintain extensive “to do” lists and have a pretty good idea about what each week will hold. I also find it helpful to look backward and to review what actually occurred. I am especially interested in thinking about evangelism opportunities and how the message is advanced …
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