Membership = Commitment ?

I recently read an interesting book, Urban Christianity and Global Order by Andrew Davey. Davey points out that one of the implications of urbanism is the response of “believing without belonging” (p.91). People are willing to participate in social networks (such as the Church) but are unwilling to “put their name down” for membership. He [...]

Isolation and Technology:I’m an online mentor. Part 3

This is the third and final glimpse into the effects of technology on our society.  Many are quick to state that technology is leading to greater isolation, and this may be somewhat true.  However, there is also an emerging sense of community birthing itself via social networking sites.  This “new” form of relationship building can [...]

Isolation and Technology: Social Networking and Privacy, Part 2

I have been researching technology and its effects, as seen through the news media.  The article Beyond the digital divide lies a new world of intimacy was a really interesting read.  I was particularly interested in the distinction between an understanding of privacy that the reporter becomes aware of, and the differing methods for developing [...]

Isolation and Technology: “Meet my phone Theo.” Part 1

I was reading this article the other day, “You Do Know Your iPod Doesn’t Hate You, Right?” and found it very interesting.  Here is a synopsis and Missiological reflection…and yes, I realize the irony of Blogging this, but I will tackle that in part two next week.

Have we merged a Biblical worldview with a Western worldview?

We all live our lives through a cultural lens that gives us the ability to interpret reality and make choices.  We know this system of values and meanings as a worldview.  Most of us live out our lives each day without ever questioning why we live as we do.  However, sometimes we find ourselves clashing [...]

Ministering in Haiti

The James’s are field personnel jointly appointed by CBF and American Baptist IM.  They share the following stories of the ministry in which they are involved.   
Dear friends,           
We send love and greetings to you and thought we would share some of the stories of people we meet in the clinics and in our local community, which [...]

Baptists and Mission, Acting out a Value we hold dear in the Twenty-First Century.

As Baptists, we value mission action in this world.  Our heritage is ripe with mission activities, mission education, and mission offerings.  The turn of the century has not changed this value.  However, globalization, the decline of the western church, and the shift of the majority of Christians to the southern hemisphere must force us to [...]

Looking for a Mentor?

I recently finished a course at Fuller on mentoring.  Before this course when it came to mentoring, I often felt like a fish removed from water.  Like many friends and acquaintances, I was looking for a mentor.  That ideal person that could mentor me on multiple levels and issues.  From whom I could glean life [...]

Leadership Next–A Proactive Reading

CITATION OF REFERENCE
Gibbs, Eddie. 2005. Leadership Next. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.
INTRODUCTION
            In this book, Eddie Gibbs presents a picture of the new type of church leader needed in world experiencing major paradigm shifts.  Gibbs analyzes the new cultural reality that we now face in this world and in the Church. He explains why new [...]

Living Your Faith

I have a friend who is a pastor, and the other day we were talking about this missional church thing.  He said something that confirmed some thoughts that I have had for a while.  He said that it used to be that the thing that unified a church was the worship service, and, in his [...]