Month: December 2004

Prodigal Kiwi quotes from Parker Palmer who was, apparently, peaking into my past life and telling my story… A third shadow common among leaders is “functional atheism,” the belief that ultimate responsibility for everything rests with us. This is the unconscious, unexamined conviction that if anything decent is going to happen here, we are the…

Kevin Miller brings some excellent and constructive thoughtfulness (critique) to the emerging church.  In this interview, Miller is asked the question: Is there any baby that you are concerned is being thrown out with bathwater? Evangelical conviction. In order to avoid the hubris that often comes from the evangelical church, many folks are now getting…

I consider Tony to be one of the great evangelical voices of our day.  So, naturally, I’m excited to see this article that was referred to me by TallSkinnyKiwi.  Here is an excerpt: As we enter the 21st century, a vital new expression of Christianity is growing in the United States and worldwide. This movement…

From John Michael Talbot’s book on Francis of Assisi: He Was Radical For many people, being "Christian is roughly equivalent in time and emotional commitment to being a member of a neighborhood bridge club, having a regular seat at the local Elks lodge, or getting the familly car serviced every three thousand miles.  Unfortunately, this…

From Andrew (TallSkinnyKiwi): Did you know that the ants do not have a leader calling all the shots, but instead leave pheromone trails for each other to communicate? Of course you knew that – its in the Bible. No professional leadership, but emergence to higher level complexity regardless. Sometimes when i look at the emergent…

Robert Fitts sent out an article entitled "I Am Not An Eye."  In it he says that in finding our identity within the Body of Christ we must: 1.  Seek not a place of prominence or influence.  If it comes, do not run from it. Take your place as an eye if God has gifted…

Van S, over at MissionThink, raises this question that came out of a previous post here entitled "Too Much Focus On The Gatherings."  He says: Chris raised a good point in response to a previous post, that it is foolish to assume that if we all just do outreach together, real community will form.  The…

Henri Nouwen has an awesome article entitled "Moving From Solitude To Community To Ministry."  The point is, no matter how we fashion church, ministry, or life, we need first and foremost… to be with God… alone with God.  Here is an excerpt: Solitude is being with God and God alone. Is there any space for…

John’s comments on the "Church Planting" post: I like what you are saying here Roger. If I can just focus on where others are at spiritually and really care enough to (attempt to) make a difference in their lives, through relationship, prayer, charity or some type of help, then I have begun the work of…

Thanks to Kevin for his comments on "More on Church Planting": Breaking free from our "isolated cultures" requires a lot of work and personal cost. It has been much easier to invest our time and money into a once-a-week gathering and then claim "over commitment" as an excuse to bow out of relationships that are…