Why do simple church? Because Jesus told us to make disciples. ” But,” someone might respond, “aren’t sermons, Sunday School, VBS, mission trips, weekend seminars,small groups, and a myriad of other programs carried on by institutional churches just methods for making disciples?” From what I’ve observed after a couple of years of attempting to make reproducing disciples, not…… Continue reading Churched to Death
Category: Church
Learning to Learn
I have some friends who’ve recently come to faith. They’re from a subculture very disparate from mine. They’ve drawn me into conversations I’ve never had with other church members. Since they’re new believers and I’m a pastor, I usually see our interactions as an opportunity for me to assist their spiritual growth. I find myself…… Continue reading Learning to Learn
Gospel
In 1 Cor. 15:3-6, Paul recounts his gospel. Those who would participate in evangelizing the world, do well to consider this passage. First, notice the brevity of Paul’s statement. In just 25 words, Paul relates the crucial elements of the gospel – “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,…… Continue reading Gospel
Pusher
I just came back from a meeting with my daughter and two of her friends. They attend a charter school in the area. I’ve been challenging and equipping them to reach their fellow students with the gospel. Today they kind of pushed back and told me that their classmates are particularly hostile to people attempting “push their…… Continue reading Pusher
Lay Up for Yourselves!
The apostle Paul said that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Perhaps you consider that statement to be naive. I once saw a 20/20 special where John Stossel convincingly made the case that greed drives innovation and, of all things, generosity. So, what’s your attitude toward money? I’d like to share…… Continue reading Lay Up for Yourselves!
D-church Unshackled!
I am a planter of simple churches who also pastors a conventional church. “How does that work?”, you ask. Check out this quote from Steve Smith in the book T4T: A Discipleship Re-revolution: Giving groups the freedom, even the empowerment, to become new churches takes the limit off the budding movement. You could view yourself…… Continue reading D-church Unshackled!
What Works
One of the elders of our church used to work for Social Security. The other day he told me about how Social Security absorbed the administration of state-run disability benefits. To streamline the process, they sought to automate the system through the use of computers. An outside vendor was brought in to pitch a system which could handle the massive load. The…… Continue reading What Works
How can we live in joyful anticipation but not get all fanatical? Click this link for my most recent talk on end times: Next
Look To The East
"In the Land of Mao"
Life Transformation Groups – A Testimonial
I have a friend who is also an elder at our church. In the past couple of years I’ve watched him grow into a spiritual leader who inspires and challenges me every time we talk. God has done many things in his life to effect this season of growth but much of it started with…… Continue reading Life Transformation Groups – A Testimonial
Nathan Wilkerson 