On Thursday, Christianity Today published “An Apology to the Christian 99%, from the 1%”. It was an apology by the 1% “professional” ministers to the 99% who minister in the workplace, the community and the family. It stated that too often pastors and missionaries think others exist to support their ministry, but in reality the opposite is true. The apology also expressed that while there is much “lip service” about the ministry of the laity, there is a large gap between words and actions.It was written by the leader of the Lausanne … [Read more...]
Apology and Commitment
Reflections of BGU Alumni
I started the MASCE ( now integrated into the upgraded MATL) degree at the same time a group of us were launching a nonprofit organization in the Fall of 2013. The toolkit classes were divinely timed to occur at the precise moments the organization needed to learn about accounting, human resources, law, etc. I immediately applied and integrated new information as well as implemented new processes and procedures. However, the theology classes, Poverty Diversity and Social Justice, Cross Cultural Engagement and Servant Leadership, had the most … [Read more...]
11 Books from Bill Tenny-Brittian
Bill was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. His father was a scientist, his mother stayed at home 'til the kids were teenagers and then went into real estate. He was raised in the church and doesn't remember a time when he didn't consider himself a Christian. At seventeen, Bill got married and joined the Air Force to see the world - and he began to experience life in the "Real World."Though he never "left the faith," while he was in the military there wouldn't have been much evidence to convict him if Christianity became a crime. … [Read more...]
Top 10 Ways to Defuse Your Congregational Time Bomb
The top 10 ways at a glance are:10. Remember Who You Are and Whose You Are9. Learn the Fine Art of Conversation8. Be a Hospital for Sinners, Not a Hotel for Saints.7. Play Together Stay Together6. Be Prepared to Stay Grounded5. Keep Cool, Calm, and Collected4. Put the Right People in the Right Places3. Wear the Right Shoe for the Right Job.2. Take What You Need and Leave the Rest1. Don't Miss the Money Trees for the Money Pits. … [Read more...]
The Pain of Suicide
Every suicide is an individual tragedy whose origins challenge our mental capacity. Suicide is a global phenomenon. Each year there are over 800,000 reported suicides worldwide and that is expected to increase to over 1.5 million by 2020. More people attempt suicide than die from suicide. Family-member survivors and communities are left with many unanswered questions, not understanding why the person chose to commit suicide. Persons responding to suicide and suicide attempts are very often not prepared for what they encounter and this … [Read more...]
