The townships are ready
We trained 100 leaders that weekend in KwaZulu-Natal. It was November of 2011. The vision was clear. The training was solid. The hunger seemed real. But by the end, only one person leaned in
I am a Westerner
My name is David, and I am a Westerner. I never chose to be one. I was born into it. Raised in it. Shaped by it in ways I didn’t even realize
Spiritual Warfare and the Movement of Jesus
Most people hear “spiritual warfare” and picture dramatic prayers, dark maps over cities, and a kind of supernatural activism that feels like a thriller. I think we’ve often missed the point
The Kingdom is near
I’ve noticed something strange in the way many believers use the word “kingdom.” They say it with a warm, religious tone, like holding a mug of tea on a cold, rainy day. “The kingdom of God.” It sounds deep. It sounds safe. It sounds like the kind of phrase you can repeat for decades without anything in your life changing
Ecclesiology as Flow
“What do you mean by church?” The question was not asked out of curiosity, but challenge. I was in a room full of church leaders presenting church as movement. I answered his challenge with a counter challenge
How to Have Spiritual Conversations without Being a Salesman
I remember watching a televangelist years ago in a slick suit, polished smile, rehearsed pitch. He made the gospel sound like a product, complete with limited time offers and emotional bait
Myth of the Concrete Jungle
I stood still under the towering buildings. I felt small and insignificant. The city seemed so cold, so rigid, so permanent. Quietly and prayerfully I wondered, “How will the Kingdom of God ever penetrate these buildings?”…
The Trap of Busy Church
I remember the night it hit me. I was sitting in my lounge, staring at the wall. Life had become overwhelming. I wanted to run and hide, but I felt trapped. The next few weeks were filled with events, activities and commitments. The church was a hive of activity. All this looked good to others. But inside, I felt empty…
Our Cities are Calling
I woke up with a jolt. The room was still dark, but my mind was racing with a deep sense that something wasn’t right. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, heart pounding, staring at the quiet floor. My wife stirred as I stood there, unsure what to do with this rising ache.
Three Builders
There were once three builders.
They had very different approaches to building. Each builder thought that his approach was the best.
Builder one had many great ideas. He would dream about the places he was going to build. Everyone loved his ideas. They spoke about him and told others what a great builder he was. But builder one never built a single building. He was too busy telling others about his ideas. He died in poverty.