According to a survey by Barna Institute, spiritual growth is important to tens of millions of people. Christians reported a wide range of activities to promote growth: participating in a small group, doing Bible studies, and meeting with spiritual mentors. On the same survey, however, 60% of Christians also noted that their growth has been…
Faith
Loving Others through Encouragement
I glanced through my journal yesterday and remembered a most yucky day… I had fallen on an icy sidewalk. Someone had resigned and handed her responsibilities to me. Then a friend had let me down by forgetting an important meeting. It had been a most a discouraging day. When these days strike, I feel like…
Purpose or Role?
How would you describe yourself? I recently enjoyed a women’s dinner gathering. Following dinner, we went around the circle to tell a bit about ourselves. The widely diverse group included teachers, parents, empty nesters, computer programmers, wives, widows, stay-at-home moms, grandmothers, travelers, scrapbookers, and sports fans. Some were beginning careers while others were pondering retirement….
A New Missions Conversation
Today launches a new multi-faceted conversation. It’s a discussion about how we live our lives as Christ-followers and how we invite others to join the journey. Pouring my experience and research into 193 pages, I worked with InterVarsity Press to publish a new book on missions and the church. Now available through Amazon, InterVarsity Press,…
Four Gifts: Seeking Self-Care
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Four Gifts: Seeking…
Ministry of Presence
I just returned from one of the richest places on the planet. Guatemala. Their abundance in relationships and hospitality rival even the wealthiest of nations. It’s this richness that draws me to return time and time again. For sure, Guatemala has many material needs. Amidst this poverty, however, I continually find a spirit of generosity….
Goal of Missions (Part 3)
In the past several posts, we have been laying the biblical foundations for missions. The first reason we serve is to glorify God. The second reason is to obey Christ’s calling. This post explores the final principle for our missional engagement. The third purpose for missions is to meet the needs of others. We Serve…
Real Goal of Missions (Part 2)
What principles serve as guidance for missions? People describe the church’s purpose for engagement in a wide range of definitions. A review of Scripture helps us discover foundational principles for missions. It reveals three ways Christian mission differs from random acts of kindness. Last week’s post highlighted the first principle: We serve to glorify God. Our…
Beyond feel-good feelings: The real goal of missions
Why do we serve? How does Christ-centered outreach differ from today’s pay-it-forward, random-act-of-kindness culture? What is Christian mission? The global church willingly gives millions of hours and dollars every year in the name of missions and outreach. We serve in the far corners of the planet and in local schools. We teach English as a…
Best Intentions for Church
Many years ago a story about a little lighthouse caused me to re-think church. Although it’s original author is unknown, Brent Hunter’s classic telling of the Parable of a Lighthouse has been around awhile. Have you heard the tale? On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little life-saving station….
