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Category Archives: Index
Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 2
Make a list of every single congregational ministry — even washing baptismal garments and hiring the janitorial service. I mean: every single thing that is being done or ought to be done at your church. It could easily reach 100 … Continue reading
Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized
2 Comments
The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 4 (Examples)
Examples Murder So let’s take an example or two. We start with murder. Is it okay for Christians to advocate for laws making murder criminal? Well, it seems obvious. After all, everyone but a few psychopaths believe murder to be … Continue reading
Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized
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Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 1
One of the biggest issues in the Churches of Christ today is the proper role for elders. It’s not received the publicity of many other issues, but ask any life-long Church of Christ member about the authority of elders, and … Continue reading
Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized
13 Comments
The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 3 (Hunter and the Exercise of Power by the Church)
Christians in a democracy: Foreign policy One of the thornier issues that the American church must wrestle with is how the church should operate in a democracy. In fact, in the US, there are enough Christian voters that the church’s … Continue reading
Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized
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Advice to a New Elder: Networking, Benchmarking & Training
Networking Some of my favorite times as an elder were times spent with preachers and elders talking about church leadership. I’ve spent many an afternoon or evening just comparing notes with leaders from other churches. We in the Churches of … Continue reading
Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized
5 Comments
The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 2 (Further from Christopher Wright)
Wright on Justice So we have to start with love. From there, we go to justice. Christopher Wright speaks first of believers who serve the state for God’s purposes. First, they accepted the realities of the public sphere they became … Continue reading
Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized
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Advice to a New Elder: Shepherds Protect the Flock, Part 2 (False Teachers)
Although sexual predators are likely the most common type of church predator, there are other predators that the elders/shepherds should be diligent to protect the flock from. False teachers The obligation of elders to protect the flock from false teachers is … Continue reading
Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized
88 Comments
The Mission of the Church: Justice, Part 1 (Christopher Wright on Jesus; Boundaries)
Christopher J. H. Wright includes in the church’s mission “justice (transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation).” Boundaries This requires some unpacking as well as some boundary setting. Pacifism First, I … Continue reading
Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized
1 Comment
Advice to a New Elder: Shepherds Protect the Flock, Part 1 (Sexual Predators)
The scriptures refer to elders as shepherds and as overseers. The idea of a “shepherd” carries certain connotations that we often overlook. I think the foremost idea behind “shepherd” is not that the elder must take on pastoral duties (although … Continue reading
Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized
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The Mission of the Church: Compassion for Others
Repeat after me: I will not use people in an effort to save them. Again: I will not use people in an effort to save them. Got it? Jesus never used people. He never objectivized or instrumentalized them. He loved … Continue reading
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