What’s in a name?
We sat in the church office, confused and in tears. It was a scenario I have experienced too many times before. My friend trying to figure out what it means to be a pastor. "I know I was called for a reason." Being called into church leadership is a serious discernment process. It has to […]
Why the missional movement will fail
It’s time we start being brutally honest about the missional movement that has emerged in the last 10-15 years: Chances are better than not it’s going to fail. That may seem cynical, but I’m being realistic. There is a reason so many movements in the Western church have failed in the past century: They are […]
Top five reasons we really don’t want to be missional
Missional. We’ve been hearing this word for 20 years. Our seminaries have been teaching it, our agencies have been producing books on it and our congregations have been using the word "missional" to justify programs, mission efforts and other worthwhile "regularly scheduled" activities the church has done for the last 20 years. But as I […]
Missional Church: The fad that just won’t go away
Recently I heard an observation following Ohio Conference’s Annual Conference Assembly in which we focused on becoming a mission-driven (a.k.a. "Missional") conference. The observation? It seems as though our younger leaders are the driving force behind the passion for this movement. And so the question becomes, "Why?" Why are younger leaders pushing for this change? […]
Go, Be a Disciple Maker
As I begin to visit and engage in conversations with Western District Conference congregations and their pastors, discipleship and missions are the two themes, among many others, that have been predominant our discussions. Both discipleship and mission are relevant to the life of the church today and they will continue to be in the future. […]
First-hand accounts from the Missional Discipleship Initiative
“The Missional Discipleship Initiative has helped me to focus on my purpose and mission as a Christian instead of being busy and not accomplishing the ultimate goal … I realized that many people have a lot of questions and barely anyone is available to listen or share [with them]. “What I appreciate about the Initiative […]
Discipleship Groups Help Christians Grow
Most of us know that Jesus was called the Master Teacher. He showed His followers how to guide others in being kingdom children. Jesus involved those He was guiding in hands-on actions and experiences. He accepted the call of God to serve, knowing there was a price to pay. He prayed that His work would […]
Discipleship and Mission: An Encouragement and a Caution
September 8, 2015—Charles Spurgeon said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor." As disciples of Jesus, we are simultaneously sent to live on mission. Living on mission is part of what it means to be a disciple. Biblically, there is no such thing as a disciple who does not live on mission. As […]
God’s spirit in us
"I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord." Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
God prepares a table
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Photo by Linda Shelly. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.
God proves his love for us
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Graphic design by Cynthia […]
God’s promise rests on grace
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us.) Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen […]