Consuming Jesus and Moving Beyond Race and Class
Discussions concerning race and class divisions in the Church always lead me to the following thought: My son’s grade school class is composed of white, black, and brown kids that have absolutely no problem putting together pick-up kickball teams on the playground at recess. Race is not even an issue; economic class is not a factor. Yet, the church and all of her “sanctified” adults seem to be unable to move beyond race and class. The consequence of this short-sightedness is that we - the larger Body of Christ - rarely work together in meaningful ways. I can’t help but wonder which of these two groups are more pleasing to God. Is it possible? Could it be that a elementary school kickball game brings more glory to God than most churches? Maybe. Read More »
A Slow Blog Rising
Blogging is slow. We’ve been very, very busy completing the shared remodeling project for Inner Metro Green and The Infantree. Our gathering place is looking great! It’s a lot of work, but we are almost finished! Pictures of our space will follow soon! You can see it live for yourself this Sunday morn at 10:30 AM!
A Not So Random Life and Ministry Update 07172007
Rest is a good thing. I finished preaching two services this past Sunday at Manor Church, then took a break on Monday. It was a needed one. I was wiped out. I’m recharged and ready to get back to work! God is so good. Read More »
Reading for Internship, Coach, & Church Planting
I am taking part in a hybrid internship as a pastor/church planter in the Atlantic Conference of the Brethren in Christ. I am interning at a local BIC church (yet to be named), and partnering with a seasoned church planting coach in the conference, while simultaneously (← hybrid!) planting a church in Lancaster City and vicinity. An early portion of the partnership with my church planting coach included a reading list to get things started. Read More »
A Church Planting Partnership with the BIC
It’s official! I’m planting a church in Lancaster City in partnership with the Brethren in Christ. The church is called “Inner Metro Green.” Yes, it is a church built upon the idea/symbolism of color (Green). Yes, it is an emerging, missional, post-Christendom effort (as any good Anabaptist effort should be!). Yes, we will be seriously focusing on individual and social transformation, and equally so. Yes, we will be meeting in homes, at coffee shops, and on park benches all around the city. Yes, we will all be gathering together on Sundays for stripped down and simplistic prayer, celebration, and teaching. Yes, the Gospel is our ethos; the Trinity is our only center. The official launch for IMG will happen in 2008. ‘Till then, we will be busy building the foundation. Read More »
Our Eight-week Experiencing God Adventure
Today played host to our introductory session for a brand new, eight-week long “Experiencing God” group-study and dialogue at church. We will be working in conjunction with the Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King classic bestseller Experiencing God: How to Live the Full Adventure of Knowing and Doing the Will of God. Read More »
In Dire Search of Something to Transform
Note: The following is a short piece I wrote for a leadership class I recently completed at the liberal seminary I attend. The class drive was toward what was called “transformative leadership.” The practical and theological question(s) inherent to my following reflections are being asked from within a specific context, and speak directly to this context. What is this context? The context is one wherein a liberal religious organization is proclaimed before an authentic religious center is identified. I am simply at a loss as to how one can in fact become a “transformative leader” in an organization which lacks something tangible to actually transform. I am not a religious liberal, or a progressive Christian. I am a Deep Evangelical who is dedicated to orthodox Christianity and practice. I am thus largely because of time spent bewildered in liberal religious settings, which only resulted in questions as follows. Read More »