In this short clip, Alan Hirsch discusses the difference between the church as communitas, not community. A communitas is a church steeped and driven by mission, not ministry. As a result, it isn’t afraid to take risks as it moves towards the future with an honest sense of adventure and creativity; qualities that often don’t […]

I want to begin by asking each of us to reflect on this simple question – what is a Christian? If we were in a position where someone asked us to provide a definition of what it means to be a Christian, what would we say? What words, phrases, and images would we reference in […]

I’ve been reflecting lately on the need for faith in Christ to be the central and controlling theme in our lives. So very often, for most all of us, faith is pushed to the margins of our daily experience. We often live in such a way that makes faith part of the periphery, rather than […]

I’m just going to say it… When we reduce the gospel story to salvation and salvation to personal forgiveness and forgiveness to a plan of salvation that focuses exclusively on getting people to make a decision (what Dallas Willard referred to in The Divine Conspiracy as the gospel of sin management), we essentially de-storify the […]

What is the goal of the gospel? Fame? Prestige? Large churches? Converts? Heaven? Happy marriages? Large homes? Cottages? Actually, none of the above. In this short video, Skye Jethani explains what the actual goal of the gospel is. You may be surprised with his answer. Maybe not.

I started a five-part series a few weeks ago at a church I’m visiting with over the Summer entitled Embracing the Kingdom Vision of Jesus. I thought it would be neat to share a few of the primary ideas from each part and see where it leads us. The biblical impetus behind the series is […]

McDermott, Gerald R.  God’s Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions?  Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2007.  Pp. 181. In the opening paragraph of the Introduction, McDermott sets the stage by asking his readers a question that will direct and shape the remaining portions of the work; a question that turns out to be particularly relevant […]

My contribution to the Rally to Restore Unity campaign. Here is my article contribution as well. Let’s put LOVE on everything! My inspiration –

I just finished reading Bruxy Cavey’s 2007 release, The End of Religion and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of the many topics he addressed in the book, there is one that I found particularly appealing – the issue of theological/biblical boundaries in chapter 20. Bruxy writes, “When faith becomes religion, people on the inside of the group […]