Andrew Jones upgraded the Blogger's Prayer he wrote five years ago:
Our Father
who lives above and beyond the blogosphere
Give us this day a life worth blogging,
The access to words and images that express our journey with passion and integrity,
And a secure connection to publish your daily mercies.
Your Kingdom come into new spaces today,
As we make known your mysteries,
Posting by posting,
Blog by blog.
Continue reading "The Blogger's Prayer 1.2" »
According to Barna's latest research "house churches are more satisfying to attenders than are conventional churches". The difference is about 15-20 percent. Barna describes a "house church" as "a group of believers that meets regularly in a home or place other than a church building. These groups are not part of a typical church; they meet independently, are self-governed and consider themselves to be a complete church on their own... not associated in any way with a local, congregational type of church."
Continue reading "House churches 'more satisfying'" »
"Christ of the Wilderness, hear our confession.
We are MacDonald's, we confess our sin,
This is our temple, where we eat our fast feasts,
We are ready to enjoy a happy meal, but not to eat a meal of sadness for injustice.
HUNGRY GOD - HAVE MERCY ON US."
Andrew Jones explains what a 'Cruelty-free Christmas' is all about, and why Jesus followers should support a standard of animal welfare. He will be happy to know that the Netherlands now has an Animal Party in Parliament, of which the leader was elected 'political animal talent of the year'.
Continue reading "Jesus and animal rights" »
"Do you know how difficult it is to be a pastor in a traditional church?" asks John White, who works as a house church coach with Dawn Ministries. "I do. I was one for over 25 years." Consider these statistics from Resurgence:
- In the US 1500 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention in their churches.
- Fifty percent of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
- Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
Continue reading "Death by ministry" »
I came across some interesting blog posts and articles on organic/emerging church: Recentering on Christ (Steve Hill), Barna's Bungle (Scott Friderich), Apostolic migration (Simson at Simplechurch), Ancient voices (Neil Young), Ough! (Mirko Sander), Sorry (Philip de Cavel), Speak up or shut up (Andreas Wolf), Monologue or dialogue? (Gijs van der Neut). Websites/blogs: The Crowded House (UK missional church), Male Spirituality (Richard Rohr), Let's put the kettle on (Lisa Borden).
Continue reading "Stuff from outer cyberspace" »