Book Review: Blinded By the Bible By Kevin Pendergrass
Many people who grew up with a legalistic concept of the Bible have a lot of reprogramming to do, and it can be very hard to know how to untie the knots that we become comfortable with. We need a trusted guide to show us a better path ahead because there can be many missteps one can take along that journey that can derail one's faith.
A New Vision For Church: The Last Will and Testament of the "Little c" church of Christ
What if the Restoration Movement actually set us up for the next leg for "church" in America? I am going to give you three reasons why I believe the underlying foundation of Churches of Christ can set us up to thrive in the coming years but it won't be easy (it wasn't easy for Jesus or the early church either).
Wineskins.org Is In Transition
I want to make you all aware of some changes coming to Wineskins. Over the last few months I have been praying for God's direction and it has become abundantly clear that it is time for me to transition out of my role running Wineskins. It is a long story and it is all very positive!
Have Churches of Christ Lost Their "Why?"
The initial impulse for a Restoration Movement that resulted in churches of Christ came out of a world of religious division. If the problem was division and the goal was unity, the approach was to achieving that unity was to shed tradition and get back to the basics of the Bible. The idea was that if we all go back to the way things were in the New Testament church then we would find unity.
September Theme: Something A Bit Different
This month we are going a different route. Instead of a set theme we are opening the floor to writers sharing on whatever topic they would like. I am looking forward to hearing from a variety of topics and writers this month! See you in the comments.
Tips For Discipling Your Own Children
Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to discipling your own children. 1 - Start before they are born. Get in a routine of reading scripture to them, praying over them, etc. You cannot start too early!
Acts 2:39 - God Cares About Generations and Nations
In a month of considering how God uses generations for His purposes I am drawn to an easily overlooked verse in Acts 2. We often focus on 2:38 to talk about baptism but what about 2:39? Here is what it says, "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." God cares about generations as well as the nations.
There is An Article Each Week You May Not Be Getting
I want to make you aware of one new service we are offering at Wineskins. We are now using Mailchimp to send out one email per week that has links to everything we put out in the previous week: blogs, podcast, youtube. Each weekly email starts with a thought for the week that you can only find by subscribing to the email.
A Few Issues With Age Segregated Ministries
It has become extremely popular to have specific ministries for specific ages. It makes sense on one level...I will even say it "works" depending on how it is done. People who are in the same stage of life can easily relate to each other. It isn't a stretch to spend time with people who are going through the same thing you are going through.
Connecting the Generations
Most churches adopted an age segregated approach to ministry starting several decades ago. We siloed our young people and then our young adults into age-graded ministries. While much good was done through that approach it also had some unintended consequences that are worth exploring.
Unfolding Life
My wife and I recently spent a Friday date night at home watching the latest Downton Abbey movie. She did not expect to cry. Thanks to Rhonda’s interest through the years, we watched all the seasons and the prior movie. Without that context, I would have no appreciation for all the characters, personalities and storylines that unfolded during “A New Era.”
Why Aren't Churches Including Single People?
After 20 years of marriage and 22 years as a (layperson) singles minister I have a few observations. Ministers: Please use this information to improve outreach and support of the unmarried people. Singles: Please use this to strengthen your walk with God.
How To Disciple Children
Save the world, lose your kids. So many of us want to make a difference in the world but we struggle at home where it is most important.How do we help our children grow into strong, mature disciples of Jesus? First, we start with the best definition of Christian maturity that I am aware of from Curtis Sergeant.
July Theme - Marriage & Family
In the month of July we will have some special articles highlighting marriage and family. Several experts have been tapped to bring us articles that will enrich our marriage and parenting as well as point us to resources that can help us turn the corner to a better marriage!
Let's Go on a Prayer Walk
Prayer walking is one of the most eye-opening practices I have experienced as a Christian. I had never heard of this or considered it until a few years ago when we planted a church. All those years, I had driven past my neighbors and driven through the neighborhoods in order to "get to church." All of a sudden, it became clear that all of those homes included people who needed Jesus and we needed to find a way to be out and among the people who live near us.
Simple is Reproducible
If you want something to reproduce it has to be simple. Complex approaches aren't as easily reproducible as simple approaches. If your approach to making disciples requires a PhD to pull it off then the number of capable and qualified people who can carry it forward is diminished.
Church Movements Require the Work of the Holy Spirit
Our churches don't need more strategy... our churches need more Spirit. Now, you might be saying - you don't know my church. We need a strategy! I am would say, "You are probably right!" But strategy alone isn't sufficient.
Churches Have a Choice to Make
Imagine every evening your family sat at the dinning room table for a business meeting. The parents pull out the finances and assess all the decisions that had been made that day to help the family be "successful." Timmy is in trouble because he keeps leaving the light on in the bathroom.
The Kill Switch in Sectarian Church of Christ DNA
Human beings have an incredibly amount of diversity in our appearance, tied to variations in our DNA. I am out of my depth here but I think I understand the gist of how it works. There are various mutations in genes that are completely harmless. Other mutations cause significant problems. Still other mutations in our genes make survival impossible.
June Theme: Will We See Movements?
I hear story after story about what God is doing around the world and by around the world, a lot of it is in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is truly astounding the amount of growth that is happening in those places and we need to be incredibly grateful that it is taking place.