culture
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Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) are Critical in Canada
I believe Disciple Making Movements (DMMs) are critical to the growth of Christ’s kingdom in Canada. Typically, ‘church’ growth in Canada happens when people move from one ‘church’ to the next. And, if there are new people coming to Christ, rarely is anyone discipling them. The goal is to make disciples, who make disciples, who…
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Character of Leaders?
I was pondering the C’s of leadership lately as many of us have been disappointed in leaders lacking the character to walk faithfully and courageously. Some people say that a leader should have character, charisma, commitment, courage, competence… But, have you ever noticed how God seems to never look for people with outstanding character to call them…
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My Radical Family is a Threat to Society
This morning I was reminded that I come from a history of people who were a threat to society… 🙂 Radicals. “The Anabaptists’ reform efforts were a threat to their society, because they claimed Christianity was to be lived out in small communities in accordance with the explicit teaching of Scripture. Similarly, the first-century Christians…
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Do you live in fear or in expectation?
I recently was blessed by these words sent to me in an email story… Expectation positions us to see miracles, big and small. It sharpens our vision and focuses our attention towards God. It liberates us from apprehension that blinds us to the majesty before us. Instead of being shackled by fearing the worst, we’re…
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My Dream for the Church in Canada & Beyond
What do you long for, for the Church in Canada or even all of the world? One day while on a rest leave during my time as an institutional church pastor, in desperation, I asked the Lord what His dream was for the church – both local and global. I began to write pages and…
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Intentional Meals Together?
“Cook at home and enjoy family meals.” I read these words recently in the newly updated food guide… Thanks to a young friend recently visiting from Germany, who inspired us, I have been encouraged to ALSO include EVERY family member in the making of suppers, no matter the initial headaches, and turn them into a…
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Spiritual Abuse?
Spiritual abuse is not a widely discussed topic. It occurs when a leader manipulates people to achieve selfish goals. Most abusers are unaware of the harm they inflict. Internal factors contributing to an abusive environment are: Christians wanting to trust their leaders; not wanting to be disloyal; not wanting to be “a problem”; and accommodating…
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‘Doing’ Church – “We make victims of our heroes.”
“Doing” Church in North America – “We make victims of our heroes.” Graham Cooke brilliantly describes how “doing” church today must start with leaders who can model freedom. He goes onto say that church revolves around 3 types of people: Initiators, Enablers and Resisters. He skillfully describes if that if we have any hopes of accomplishing…
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9 Changes to Make Before a Church Dies
My heart ached when I read this post from Thom Rainer… It triggered pain that I have known… I pray for churches across North America (my heart lies there)… “..Many of our congregations must change. They must change or they will die. I call these churches “the urgent church.” Time is of the essence. If…
Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 