Conversations in Cyberspace
“Missionaries have been cautioned to not participate in ‘bible-bashing’ or trying to convince someone of the truth by finding specific scriptures. I’ve learned over the years that you can find, and then interpret, scriptures to justify almost any cause. It does no good to argue about scriptures because contention is the weapon of the devil and none of those who participate in such arguments are edified.” - Rebecca Talley, on Bible Conversations in Cyberspace
A Year Ago On Tribe
10 Tough Questions Sermon Series at Manor Church
Today marked the start of a 10 week “Ten Tough Questions” Sunday series at Manor Brethren in Christ Church.
How to Reduce Your Church’s Ecological Footprint
Reducing your church’s ecological footprint is not as difficult or life altering as you may think.
Blanc Turns 26, Celebrates by Launching a New Blog
Shawn Blank turns 26 years old.
Considering Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange is so much more than an entertaining novel …
What is an Emergent Unitarian Universalist Church!?!
Uh, yeah. Thanks, but no thanks!
Potluck with Blowtorch
We held our Tuesday night potluck last night, complete with Creme Brulee and blowtorches. That’s what happens when a chef from Philly (who lives in Lancaster City) joins your church! Thank you, Mark! You are awesome, bro.
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Leadership Gold by John Maxwell
I’m looking through a few of the chapter titles in John Maxwell’s Leadership Gold. Leadership Gold is a compilation of over forty years of leadership experience, as experienced by John Maxwell, of course. The book is composed of 26 chapters of wisdom (aka “Gold Nuggets”) for leading. More than a few of the chapters immediately resonate with me, as I continue to plant this church and minister in the city. These nuggets are going into my front pocket: 1. If It’s Lonely at the Top, You’re Not Doing Something Right; 2. When You Get Kicked in the Rear, You Know You’re Out in Front; 3. The Best Leaders Are Listeners; 4. Don’t Manage Your Time - Manage Your Life; 5. Experience Is Not The Best Teacher; 6. People Quit People, Not Companies (or Churches!) 7. Those Who Start the Journey with You Seldom Finish with You. Read More »
The Kingdom of God Doesn’t Hold Elections
After much serious thought, talks with friends, and deep self-reflection rooted in my Anabaptist heritage, I have come to the conclusion that I won’t be voting for anyone this election year, or any year following. Politicians are politicians, and because of that they say things that they will never actually follow up on, or contradict themselves terribly, just to get elected. This does not mean, however, that I will withdraw from active engagement in society; it simply means that I will be engaging it from my place within Jesus’ Kingdom. His Kingdom is very much the antithesis of the world’s kingdoms, and it is the only way. There is only one way. This way requires my total allegiance. This way informs in a way that distinguishes one from the world and its empire expressions. I’ll leave the Jesus flag draping ceremonies to the conservative right and liberal left who seem more than willing to trade war for abortion, or vice-a-versa, while simultaneously appropriating God’s blessing. I’m out.
Home-fronting with Honey Dearest
Honey Dearest is my new favorite food, cooking, and wine & spirits blog on the Internets, and not just because they are great friends. It’s just a great blog, period.
Open Source Worship Presentation Software
We are finally moving towards worship presentation software. This painfully slow move may have been the single most frustrating aspect of the entire church planting experience. So much goes into setting up the basic aspects of a functional, edifying worship service. Most folks go to church on Sunday, and are ushered into a corporate worship experience, and then depart without giving much thought about how much time, energy, work, and basic know-how was invested into the morning. If you truly desire to peek behind the curtain, to see just how much energy and know-how it takes to lead a congregation into the presence of God on a Sunday morning, then plant a church. You will not only have to find, recruit, and develop a technology/media savvy crew, but you will also have to learn all about the technology, software, and hardware required to develop a relevant and meaningful worship experience. You will have to learn these things, unless, of course, you sit on your laurels and wait for God to send you someone to do it for you. If that’s the case, don’t bother. You will fail.
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The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
John C. Maxwell’s revised and updated 10th Anniversary Edition of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is an incredibly valuable resource for church leaders. The further into this ministry I journey, the more I reach back for Maxwell’s book and others like it. Read More »
Inner Metro Green Gets Art Direction
Justin Carroll, of 3Circle Studio, has not only joined Inner Metro Green (a church plant in Lancaster City, PA), but also is unleashing his God-given gifts and talents in seriously edifying fashion. He is blessing - and continuously blessing - the art direction of Inner Metro Green in way that has been so desperately needed! Inner Metro Green’s art direction was virtually non-existent, but now there is a conceptual theme developing - as we speak - that will be uniformly expressed through the official logo, business cards, letterheads, envelopes and an upcoming new web site. The whole package naturally complements the color/image/symbol concept driving the church’s moniker. It’s what was needed! Read More »
Novelist, Playwright, and Theologian Dorothy Sayers
I was just introduced - for the very first time - to novelist, playwright, and theologian Dorothy Sayers. Dorothy writes, in a collection of essays cumulatively titled Creed or Chaos? Why Christians Must Choose Either Dogma or Disaster (Or, Why It Really Does Matter What You Believe), the following assessment of the current situation in the Church (the really amazing thing is, that Sayers actually penned this in the 1940s): Read More »
