Winfield Bevins | A primer on the person and work of the Holy Spirit

I love to pass along free resources. This may be a good conversation starter.
Marty

Winfield Bevins | A primer on the person and work of the Holy Spirit

Ed Stetzer - New Data on the Millenials from LifeWay Research

Excellent research on, what I call, "the missing generation." Once again, we are in a mission environment and must learn from the missionary process. We must learn the culture, understand the culture, and communicate in the culture's language. It is time for Christians to quit being "salt in the salt shaker" and get into the world and make a difference.

Ed Stetzer - New Data on the Millenials from LifeWay Research

Denominational Transformation

I spent a few powerful hours at the Academy of Christian Witness yesterday and we discussed the future of The United Methodist Church, the need for increased commitment to a God-shaped vision, and the importance of leading in evangelism as a means to connect people to Jesus and not as a vain attempt to "save the church." During the conversation somebody mentioned George Bullard's work regarding the seemingly inevitable death of denominationalism. Here are links to articles that he has written and continues to write on that topic.

Peace,
Marty


The Columbia Partnership: Launching a New Denomination in a Denominational Transformation Era

The Barna Group - Millions of Unchurched Adults Are Christians Hurt by Churches But Can Be Healed of the Pain - George Bullard's Posterous

Here is an article by George Bullard reflecting on research done by the Barna group about the 100 million or so self-identified Christians who have opted out of church. A large portion of them blame church conflict and the pain they received while being part of a local church. Perhaps we as leaders need to return to Paul's letters to the Corinthians and read them as though they were meant for us.

Also, we continuously have compromised our values. We have spoken values (what we say is important) and lived values (what we act like is important). Of course our lived values speak so loudly and so much more clearly, that our spoken values are drowned out.

What can your church (and my church) do to re-build bridges with believers to help them get back on the road to discipleship?

Consumed by the Call,
Marty



The Barna Group - Millions of Unchurched Adults Are Christians Hurt by Churches But Can Be Healed of the Pain - George Bullard's Posterous

Taking Responsibility When Things Go Wrong

Here NFL star Steve Young reminds leaders that when something goes wrong, the leader steps up, takes responsibility, and points others toward the future and days, "let's go." Like Young we almost always remember when we mess up, the question is whether or not we get up afterward and keep moving forward.

Post-Christendom Mission : Alan Hirsch

The Church cannot keep doing what its been doing and just do it "better" and still make a dent in the missional culture that surrounds us. We live in a post-Christian culture, Alan Hirsch does an amazing job at helping us unnderstand this and grapple with what's next.


Post-Christendom Mission : Alan Hirsch