For those of us who are ministers and leaders in the local church, there is a long list of things that we do. Included are activities such as preaching and teaching, praying for the distressed and sick, visiting people in the hospital, providing activities for children and students, planning worship, dealing with personnel matters, creating opportunities for fellowship, managing finances, and the list goes on and on. While good, worthy, and necessary, these ‘must do’s’ can at times become ends in themselves, unless broader and ultimate purposes are kept clearly in view. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Formation’
Living Toward a Wider Vista
Saturday, March 26th, 2011Imagine What Could Be
Monday, December 27th, 2010What is imagined becomes what is and shapes what already exists. Before we are able to touch, feel, and experience that which is good and true, it is imagined. Its creation happens twice – first in the mind and then in the world around. If what is good and true is to remain, acts which mirror goodness and truthfulness must be imagined. In similar manner, that which is evil and false comes into being and endures through the power of imagination. Prejudice, hatred, and lies take shape in the mind before finding their expression in slurs, abuse, and trickery. Such are the forceful possibilities of imagination. (more…)
Thoughtful Speech
Monday, November 22nd, 2010A friend recently remarked that much of what is spoken these days falls into one of two categories; it is either combative and uncivil, or it is inane and trivial. His observation is that people either state matters as incontestable fact when what they are saying cannot be proved or verified, or they understate in a rather casual, urbane manner that which should be said with conviction and fervor. Since what is spoken in both cases seems to be without serious or careful consideration, my friend feels we must redouble our efforts to ensure that we measure our words, so that we speak to each other in a thoughtful manner.
My friend is absolutely correct for a number of reasons. (more…)
Mission Formation
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009We really do need a broader conception of mission. Mission does not necessarily mean ‘missionary’ nor must it refer solely to the missionary enterprise. Missionary is a vocational designation and the missionary enterprise is only one avenue through which we give witness. Mission is much larger than any one vocation or a particular endeavor. (more…)