Archive for January, 2008
New Places…Same Story
Going into a new place for the first time is always a lonely experience for me. Today I am beginning a class (”Worship Today”…a subject I am deeply passionate about) at Wesley Seminary in Washington DC and I know no one. The pace of Wesley feels so much different than Gettysburg simply because [...]
Outside In: What it takes to Minister to Those on the Margins
I have always prided myself in ministry to be able to reach out to those who are on the margins. I am coming to realize, however, that my definition of “on the margins” has probably been to narrow. I’ve always thought of the kid who sits off by himself, or the girl who [...]
Christianity for the Rest of Us
I have just finished part one of Christianity for the Rest of Us, by Diana Butler-Bass. The book is the result of her work in studying thriving mainline churches. It is often argued that mainline churches are in decline (which statistically is true) and that conservative evangelical churches are on the rise. These poles are [...]
Didn’t have much of a chance…
Haven’t been able to post over the last few days like I had hoped, but I think I can sum up the last few days:
Wednesday & Thursday (Charlotte, NC) Whenever I am together with a large group of folks who are church planters I feel very much at home. There is an incredible collegial [...]
Don’t Speak for Me
I was incredibly disturbed this evening when my wife told me that there was a “church” planning to protest at Heath Ledger’s funeral because he played a gay cowboy in a movie. I refuse to post the pastor’s name or church name on this site, but he and his followers have made it their mission [...]
Travelling Tomorrow
Tomorrow I leave for a conference in Charlotte, NC. It should be an interesting couple of days meeting with several other new church developers from around the country. I’m looking forward to hearing stories and gaining some wisdom and insight from those who are already out there doing their thing. I will try to post [...]
How Long? 1/19/2008
I haven’t thought of this song for a long time but this week Psalm 40 was part of the lectionary readings. When I was a senior in high school U2 came to Tampa Stadium (The Sombrero baby!) on the Joshua Tree tour. It was a spiritual experience.
A New Beginning - 1/18/08
Today marks a new beginning at reformingChurch.com. I have tried and tried to make this site into something worthwhile and now I think I may finally have the right direction in mind. I am excited to maintain a daily (hopefully) blog as well as an eZine of sorts. I think this format will allow me [...]
