Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 3)

Last time we talked a bit about how the Church can model & display really community within neighborhoods, thus through good deeds showing the reality of God’s Kingdom. When the church does this neighborhoods, campuses, communities begin to see what community is supposed to look like; when they begin to see this the soil becomesContinue reading “Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 3)”

Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 2)

Last time we talked a bit about the need for community within our neighborhoods, this time around we will take a look at some of the more practical ways we could do this. ____________________________________ Question: How do we go about fostering community in our neighborhoods/college campuses? Answer: Since authentic community is based upon mutual loveContinue reading “Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 2)”

Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 1)

A community is a unified body of individuals with common characteristics or interests living together within a larger society.  If community is characterized by unity due to some common thread, where do we find “community” today?  According to John Drane in After Macdonaldization, suburbanization has led to the fragmentation of communities.  Suburbs were constructed inContinue reading “Communities on Mission to our Neighborhoods (Pt. 1)”

How is a Missional Community Different from a Bible Study?

The following is an article from Matt Carter. Its found in the Verge 2013 Booklet: _________________________________ HOW IS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY DIFFERENT FROM A BIBLE STUDY? – Matt Carter FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS TO MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES Before, we had what was called community groups. The idea behind community groups was that they were these little smallContinue reading “How is a Missional Community Different from a Bible Study?”

Pentecostal Motivations for Mission

Today I want to Blog about something that I find interesting both theologically and practically. Its something that hits close to home: Pentecostalism and Mission. Specifically I want to Inform you about the “Pentecostal Motivations for Mission.” You see, I grew up going to a Pentecostal Church. I spent 17 years in a small hispanicContinue reading “Pentecostal Motivations for Mission”

For the Sake of the World

“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”  – Malachi 1:11   I’m laying down myContinue reading “For the Sake of the World”

Is the Gospel Offensive?

Yes…yes it is. In a few days I will be writing a review of Andy Stanley’s Deep and Wide, until then check out this quote from the book. It illustrates the tension between “going deep” and “going wide,” and it shows that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You can go DeepContinue reading “Is the Gospel Offensive?”

Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 2)

So last time I did what any book review is supposed to do, I summarized the contents of the book. This time I want to talk about the book’s strengths and weaknesses. Positives A good understanding of Culture and how culture works. Its evident that he draws quite a bit of his understanding of cultureContinue reading “Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 2)”

Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 1)

A few months ago I had lunch with the author of Creating a Missional Culture, we ended up going to eat at a Thai place near my church. Being from East Hollywood, JR Woodward was used to some really good authentic Thai food, so walking into the restaurant we were having lunch at I couldContinue reading “Missiology Book Review: Creating a Missional Culture (Part 1)”

Top Seven Books of 2012

The year has come to an end and its time to do what bloggers do… write a “Top x Books of the Year” list. I have read a ton of books this year. Over 130 which means that I read more than 2 books per week. CRAZY! However as I looked at those books mostContinue reading “Top Seven Books of 2012”