In part 1 of this series, I talked about why the postmodern, post-Christian world doesn't trust the church.  I think the factors I discuss there hold true across the USA, in and out of the Bible belt.  I also think they are generally true in Europe. In part 2, I talked about how there are … Continue reading Witness in Exile 4

As I noted last week, there's just no place on earth that makes my heart resonate the way Dallas / Fort Worth does. There's no other place we belong the way we belong here. From the moment we left DFW in 2001, we longed to be back. Then we came back in 2012, and thought … Continue reading Leaving DFW

Who is our model as we seek to engage the postmodern world? Again: our model is Jesus.  Here specifically I have in mind his encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4; this is a perfect example of how Christians can engage the seeking world. Jesus treats her with respect and compassion.  Whatever the facts … Continue reading Witness in Exile 3

So here is the paradox.  Our world is suspicious of Christianity, but at the same time it yearns deeply for the things that the church is great at providing WHEN IT FOCUSES ON BEING THE CHURCH. What kinds of things does the world desperately need? FIRST, the world needs authenticity & transparency.  It needs Christians … Continue reading Witness in Exile 2

Jesus commands us to reach out into the world with the gospel.  "Go and make disciples of all nations" certainly includes making disciples in our neighborhoods and workplaces. People claiming to belong to Jesus cannot retreat from the world.  He commands us to engage with the world as we find it, knowing that it might … Continue reading Witness in Exile 1

There are places that I love: Zagreb, Kentucky, New Mexico.  If I had to pick a place that I think is closest to heaven, it would be Istria or Jackson WY. But for me, the word "home" always evokes central and north Texas.  Dallas in particular, but really anything from Austin north to the Oklahoma … Continue reading Home

If I could pick three books that every serious Christian would read and own for repeated reference, they would be: N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope. Can't we please leave behind all the Left Behind garbage?  That isn't what Paul, Peter, John, Jesus, etc., meant.  What is the Christian's true hope?  How do we live it … Continue reading Three Books