One of the problems that evangelicals run into in Europe is the question of how to engage with the state churches--usually Catholicism, but also branches of Orthodox, Lutheran, etc., churches. Nothing I faced as an evangelical in America prepared me for the ubiquity of the state church's influence. It's EVERYWHERE, heavily felt even among the … Continue reading Evangelical Engagement with Adherents of the State Religion in Europe
Ministry & Missions
What Small Churches Need (Ministry in Small Churches pt 6)
What do small churches need, and how does their size affect the meeting of these needs? Like large churches, small churches need a mix of gifts in leadership. I think the APEST formulation captures this mix most clearly: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher. Many leaders--maybe even most--are competent, even excellent, in more than one area. … Continue reading What Small Churches Need (Ministry in Small Churches pt 6)
Monument to a Failed Revolution
This is a monument in the Castle district in Budapest, commemorating the failed war of independence, 1848-49. Notice the broken cannon & its similarly broken carrion. The revolution failed; the angel came to offer comfort.
Wisdom from Godin
What's your most intractable problem?
About the Character of Ministry (Ministering in Small Churches pt 5)
These are remarks I planned to give at the Consultation on Theological Education in Osijek last April, but was not able to give because of time. They fit the current theme, Ministry in Small Churches, so I am posting them here. Like the leaders in business and politics, church and ministry leaders in our region … Continue reading About the Character of Ministry (Ministering in Small Churches pt 5)
Why Does It Matter? (Ministry in Small Churches pt 4)
Why should we care about the needs of (and quality of ministry in) small churches? Well, as noted earlier, half of the Christians in the USA attend churches with AWA (average weekly attendance) of less than 100. But that's just the USA. Around the world, including in Croatia (where I serve), virtually all evangelical churches … Continue reading Why Does It Matter? (Ministry in Small Churches pt 4)
Why Should We Care about Small Churches? (Ministry in Small Churches pt 2)
The megachurches get all the headlines, and the world outside Christianity generally equates evangelicalism with megachurches. To them, evangelical Christianity IS Joel Osteen or James MacDonald, Robert Jeffries, etc. This is not only the world outside Christianity. I have spent my life, and my career as a pastor, in the independent Christian Churches and Churches … Continue reading Why Should We Care about Small Churches? (Ministry in Small Churches pt 2)
Ministry in Small Churches, pt 1
This post is the first in a sketch of the changes I believe are coming to the way ministry is done in small churches. What is a small church? USAChurches.org suggests one set of categories They have four groups: Megachurches (AWA 2000 or above) (AWA = average weekly attendance) Large churches (AWA 300 - 1999) … Continue reading Ministry in Small Churches, pt 1
Two Great Posts
Tim Keller on what the Bible teaches about corporate responsibility & how that should affect our response to racism & racial injustice. Vinnie MacIsaac on the person in your congregation who likely is in the direst need of pastoral care.
Circleslide 