David Bosch outlines five important characteristics of the church’s relationship to the world in his landmark book “Transforming Mission.” This stuff is so fantastic (and I think important) that I am just going to copy what he wrote here. Also, if you haven’t read this book. Get it and spend the next three years slowing reading through it. It’s that good. The church cannot be viewed as the ground of mission, it cannot be considered the goal of mission either – certainly not the only goal. The church should continually be aware of its provisional character. The church is not the kingdom of God. The church is “on earth the seed and the beginning of that kingdom” and “the sign and instrument of the reign of God that is to come. The church...Read More →
Archive for March, 2010
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March 25, 2010
David Bosch on The Church and the World
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March 22, 2010
Practice Resurrection by Eugene Peterson
Eugene Peterson’s latest book, Practice Resurrection is fantastic. I don’t know how else to say it. An excerpt, “Church is the appointed gathering of named people in particular places who practice a life of resurrection in a world in which death gets the biggest headlines: death of nations, death of civilization, death of marriage, death of careers, obituaries without end. Death by war, death by murder, death by accident, death by starvation. Death by electric chair, injection and hanging. The practice of resurrection is an intentional, deliberate decision to believe and partciate in resurrection life, life out of death, life that trumps death, life that is the last word. Jesus Life…” He goes on the point out that the church is far from the utopian...Read More →
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March 17, 2010
A Prayer by St. Patrick
As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ...Read More →
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March 7, 2010
Reflections on Romans 8:31-39
This morning at The Well we came upon Romans 8:31-39 in our study of the book of Romans. Paul begins this section by saying, “What shall we say about all these things…” Of course, the obvious question here is “what are all of these things?” Now, it could be all of what Paul has talked about in Romans or just the last few chapters, 5-8. But, I’m happy to say its all of Romans up to this point. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of “all of these things…” Salvation has been revealed and God has remained faithful to his covenant! God’s wrath was revealed to man by giving him over to their desire to worship the creation rather than God himself, who made the...Read More →
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March 6, 2010
The Missional Church Made Simple
This has been going around and I forget where I first saw it, but its a really well done introduction to the missional church. Too bad they didn’t use flannel graph.
