I love college students. Absolutely love them. Perhaps it was because while at college Christ rescued me. Then we were able to invest our remaining undergrad years and the next three to serving on the campus full-time. (I saw “us,” because that’s where Kari and I met, serving side-by-side.) A long-time friend from childhood, Peter Dusan, now serves with his family as campus missionaries in Texas — to and with college students. In the short video below he encapsulates what it means to work with the next generation, as they explore identity, meaning, truth, intimacy, pleasure...

(Not that we rethink The Mission, but let’s rethink what we perceive as our mission. The Mission stays the same: Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:5-8.) On Friday a new website launched:  rethinkmission.org. Team Rethink Mission, led by church planter and pastor Jonathan McIntosh, is all about “inspiring Gospel-centered missional churches.” I’ve been tracking Jonathan’s preaching and articles for a few years (he recently transitioned from the pastoral and teaching team of The Journey Church in St. Louis). His message is consistently about Jesus, and...

"this is the only continent in the world where the church is not growing" … "We need less mission statements, we need to join God on His mission." - Ed Stetzer at subtext forum [#subtext ] SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "a weak spot", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/03/12/a-weak-spot/" });

Jonathan Dodson seems to always hit the nail on the head with his insights. Here’s an excerpt (okay, almost every word) from his recent post, "Are we community-centered or Gospel-centered? " In asking whether his church could get too mature for community , he notes: "The level of authentic confession of sin, persistent belief in the gospel, love for one another, and sharing of life and mission is remarkable. This is not naive community; it is redemptive community, a community of grace that holds in common brokenness and belief, failure and success, repentance and faith. As...

Missional is more than a buzzword (see here for some humor about it, some serious reflection here ). Missional is missionary used as an adverb — an adjective-verb. I believe it aims to connote the what, why and how of being the Church in our culture. (I like the word, although I don’t want to overuse it. Much like "love," we want to be wise with our words, for we should not "love" a hamburger as much as our child. Although, come to think of it, enjoying Burgerville with my son makes us both happy.) (grin) The Scriptures are replete with God’s commands and enablements...

Well, not exactly. Those who know me know that I won’t be dispensing much "how-to" advice here.That is because God’s work cannot be completely reduplicated by the best available means possible. Yet, on the other hand, as a consummate learner and question-asker, I am always seeking to know why churches and leaders are successful, and how we can measure it. Now that I have your attention … (Scroll down at least to the links near the end, an interview worth checking out. The rest of this post is winding a bit.) What I mean is that in ten days I will be finished with this...

Andreas Kostenberger writes about the mission of the church : The church’s mission–in both belief and practice–should be grounded in the biblical theology of mission. Reflection on the church’s mission should be predicated upon the affirmation of the full and sole authority of Scripture. The church’s mission should be conceived primarily in terms of the church’s faithfulness and responsiveness to the missionary mandate given by the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in Scripture. The church’s understanding of its mission should be hermeneutically sound. The church’s mission...

Think about what you say online. In our age information is: Instant Constant Global Permanent But don’t let that prevent you from speaking and writing boldly. Even still, choose your words well. (The list of four above was mentioned by Pastor Mark Driscoll in response to the question, "What have you learned, Mark, from those who have criticized you?" in the panel discussion at the Desiring God conference: "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God." SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Instant, constant, global + permanent", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/10/01/instant-constant-global-permanent/"...

Tim Chester, co-author of Total Church, was interviewed over on the Desiring God blog. Check it out. Good stuff.  I’ve been reading the book and am challenged on a number of levels. My soul and mind resonate with the subtitle: “A radical reshaping around Gospel and community.”  A helpful quote from Chester: One of our catchphrases is “ordinary people living ordinary life with gospel intentionality.” It means doing the chores, having meals, watching sports, and so on with an intention to talk about Jesus, to pastor one another with the gospel, and to share that gospel with...

Biblical truth is in the closed hand. (It doesn’t change!) But changing methodologies and adapting to culture is in the open hand. (It can change.) Keeping that in mind will be helpful when giving younger leaders are given opportunities to lead in the church. Mark Driscoll briefly discussed this in preparation to the 2006 DesiringGod conference. He makes a point that if younger men feel stifled and are not able to venture out and lead in creative ways, well, they will probably leave. [HT: Carey @ Paul+Timothy ] Be a Paul and raise up a Timothy, pouring out your life into him, and knowing...