In the book “Preaching with Cultural Intelligence: Understanding the People Who Hear Our Sermons,”[1] Matthew D. Kim leads preachers to understand how to effectively communicate across many various boundaries including cultural and ethnic boundaries, gender and denominational boundaries, the boundaries of varying locations, and even the boundaries of various religions. Central to his work is …
Introduction: The Problem of God Apostle Paul writes to the Church of Rome that the existence and majesty of God is common knowledge among all people, and that these truths of God are, “manifest in them,” being displayed by creation (Rom 1).[1] In other words, God does not believe that atheists exist. At the most …
Main Takeaways Chapter 1: Basics of Church Planting 1. Planting a church should have a missional goal to reach the field around it and to addapt it's approaches while maintaining its theology. 2. Church planters can often be energetic entrepeneurs but should not lose touch with the fact that their jobs are one of spiritual …
Chapter One: "Mistake Number One: In pursuit of the Great Commission, church planters neglect the Great(est) Commandment." (Griffith and Easum, 8) "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." (Revelation 2:4) The church of Ephesus had remarkable works, labor, and patience. They hated evil and loved good. They were able to …
I believe the toughest question author Reggie McNeal poses in his book, The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church1, concerns “The Shift from Church Growth to Kingdom Growth" as summarized by Tony Bowick in Sums2, or, as McNeal writes, "how do we deconvert from churchianity to Christianity?” This is the toughest question due to the …
Why God is not done with Israel. Key themes to understand, to intercede for Israel. I. Who is Israel? God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham that has three main aspects: they will be a great nation (innumerable descendants), a blessed nation (saved), and through them all the earth will be blessed. Through Abraham, Isaac, …
Featured Image: Marc Chagall, Song of Songs IV, 1958 Where the third chapter of Song of Songs ends with the Bride gaining revelation of the cross and resurrection of Christ, the fourth chapter begins with the Bride’s identity in Christ and the sixth chapter ends in her victory through His victory. Finally, in the seventh chapter …
Featured Image: Marc Chagall, Song of Songs III, 1960 Summaries and reflections on Song of Solomon 4-6 Where the third chapter of Song of Solomon ends with the Bride gaining revelation of the cross and resurrection of Christ, the fourth chapter begins with the Bride’s identity in Christ and the sixth chapter ends in her …
Featured Image: Marc Chagall, Song of Songs III, 1960 Chapter summaries and reflections on Song of Solomon 1-3 In the first chapter of Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman seeks the kisses of the king’s mouth, symbolizing the believer seeking the words of God. When we hear what God speaks it heals us and drowns …
Project Objective: Imagine you are building a church in an inner city that is racially divided, violent, poverty stricken, and has a slew of social and economic problems. You are the pastoral leaders and you need to build a biblical foundation amongst yourselves and in your church in order to provide space for unity to …
Continue reading Race and America in 2019: Facilitating Discussions on Race
In the first chapter of Daniel a pattern of heart posture and spiritual disciplines can be found that carry broad applications for Christian discipleship. One of the wonders found in this chapter is how such godly characters were found in such young teenagers. In light of such a wonder, the real goal in the discipleship …
Continue reading Daniel 1: What kind of community formed teenagers like Daniel and his friends?
Chapter 1: A "Theology" of the Spirit? The Spirit in Pauline Theology The Holy Spirit is an essential person of the Godhead in the fulfillment of Old Testament promises. The Old Covenant was discontinued and the Spirit, the presence of God, left the Temple. On the other hand, the New Covenant was continued and fulfilled …
...and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 