A Missional Order?

Those of us who have an interest in the missional church will be interested in this “missional order.” Those who accept this order “on a weekly basis covenant to be…”

The “Marks of the Church”: Hurtful or Helpful?

Throughout the centuries Christians have defined the church through the “marks of the church.” These marks are things that help one identify a true church.  Perhaps the most popular marks in evangelicalism today are the Reformed marks: 1) the preaching of the Gospel, 2) the administration of the sacraments, and (sometimes) 3) the administration of church discipline. In some ways these marks are helpful, but I’m being challenged, have the Reformed marks of the church actually hurt the church?

What Makes a Church Missional?

Here is a great article in Christianity Today addressing the question, what makes a church missional? It provides both background material and current misuses of the term.

The Gospel and the Community

As I stated in an earlier post, I’m working through Scot McKnight’s Embracing Grace with my Sr. Highers.  Today I came across a quote that I won’t comment upon, but should be savored by everyone:

“The Church is not a collection of random individuals who happen each to believe in Jesus Christ, who happen to be working out “their own salvation,” who happen to be living in proximity to one another, who happen to enjoy the same preachers and musicians and liturgy, and who happen to affirm the same doctrinal convictions.  The Church is a community of faith wherein humans are “re-communioned” to one another” (p. 73).

Living Heaven on Earth

Last night a challenged a group of senior high students to live “heaven on earth” this week. Immediately upon offering this challenge I was told by one wonderful young lady that I was being cliche. But the more we talked about it, the more we all realized that the challenge is not cliche but an essential part of the gospel.

Religious Life in Michigan

Some of you may read USA Today, and caught a survey about the changing nature of religion in the US.  It’s here, and it’s a fairly interesting read.  For instance, it shows what many of us are saying - The nature of religion in the US is changing.

What is Missional Church?

Every church is missional, right? Wrong!! “Missional” has become the newest Christian buzzword so that every church wants to be or claims to be missional, but few really are. If you want an education on missional church, take some time to watch this video from Michael Frost (author of The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st Century and Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture).

HT: Disruptive Grace.