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.
The Hunter and the Herder
Hunting and herding require vastly different skill sets.
Both have specific, crucial roles to play in a Jesus Movement. Neither role can fulfil its full potential without the other.
The greatest single crisis in the church is that we have hired hunters to be herders. That’s a bit like asking a cat to bark or a cow to bleat.
When we try to serve God in mismatched roles, we end up hurt and confused. We also hurt others.
O Holy Spaces
“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? Says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’ You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” Acts 7:48-51
Disruptive Tension of Movements
Every true movement groans with tension.
Movements exist in a holy tug-of-war between disruption and order. Between the weight of the past and the potential of the future.
And if we’re honest, if we stop pretending, we know this tension is not a flaw.
It’s the birthplace of change. It’s the place where God meets us.
A Theology of Us
Jesus did not die for me. He died for us. His plan since the beginning of time was for us.
We need a new theology of us.
This changes everything. It forces us to re-think our soteriology, ecclesiology and leadership development. Some of it will offend our theology rooted in over a hundred years of individualism.