Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
Centre Grove’s council has been reading, discussing, and acting on Bishop Robert Schnase‘s Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. So far, we have completed discussion of one of the practices (Radical Hospitality) and we recently started on a second (Intentional Faith Development). In this chapter, Bishop Schnase stresses the importance of learning together in community. He … Read more
A few months ago I wrote that I would read Eugene Peterson during Lent. Unfortunately, my reading got pushed out for a while out due to the work we had to do for commissioning (as Provisional Elders) and I’ve just recently gotten back to reading Peterson’s Eat This Book. Usually, I read a book as … Read more
As Pentecost Sunday comes to a close, I’ll share one more thought about life in the Spirit (I previously wrote about Dynamite and Immersion). I’ve always understood the role of the Holy Spirit to be largely about empowerment. Moments before Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his followers … … you will receive power when … Read more
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday. I recently reflected on the word Dynamite. I’m also thinking about the word immersion. Immersion is one of the forms or methods of water baptism (along with sprinkling or pouring). The United Methodist Church recognizes/practices all three forms. But when it comes to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, immersion is … Read more
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. It’s a particularly meaningful day because of the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Days earlier, Jesus informed his followers … … you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere … (Acts 1.8) I’ve … Read more
I have always been interested in web design (well, at least ever since the Internet has become part of our lives). I built my first website in 2001, a website for young leaders (later discontinued). And, in my previous pastoral appointment, I built a website for the church. I didn’t build this blog/site, but I … Read more
One of the things that Joleen and I have noticed as much as anything else in the 14.5 months that Ethan has been with us is that, because he is so observant, we have to pay attention to everything — the sound of the car driving by outside, sirens, the fan that comes on in … Read more
I realize that the Easter holiday was two weeks ago, but if we’re not careful, Easter (like Christmas) can become just another holiday that we celebrate simply because it’s on the calendar. That seems to be the case for people who attend worship gatherings mainly at Christmas and Easter. But even those of us who … Read more
The phrase, “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry,” has been nagging me from time to time ever since I read it several years ago (John Ortberg wrote about it in 2002 in an article at christianitytoday.com; the follow-up article is worth reading, too). BTW, I briefly mentioned this phrase and the article it comes from in a post … Read more
At the Bishop’s Retreat last week, I was reminded about a particular verse that’s held an important place in my heart since the beginning of my Christ-following journey. When I was a junior in college, having just transferred to a Christian college to pursue training for my call to leadership in ministry, I remember the … Read more