You’ve probably met an introvert before. Maybe you are one. I’m not trying to pick on you if you are. Some people are wired that way. What is an introvert?Here’s a dictionary definition for you, “a shy reticent, and typically self-centered person; a person predominantly concerned with their own thoughts and feelings rather than with external things.” Just as there are introverted people, there can be introverted churches. I call them introchurches. And there’s a problem with introchurches.

Continue reading “Do You Have an Introchurch?” »

attractional · church leadership · church life · church ministry best practice · church mission · church outreach · introchurch · missional · missions

So you went on a short term mission trip this summer and you are getting ready to come home (or you just returned home).  Here are ten things to remember about the gospel, missions and humility as you process through your trip.

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church mission trip · evangelization · mission trip · missions · summer mission trip · youth mission trip

Even if you don’t know what it means, the word “syncretism” sounds a bit suspicious—one of those scary “-isms” that you know you’re supposed to reject just because. Why would we even bring up the subject of syncretism? We bring it up because this scary thing we call syncretism is not an isolated problem that foreign missionaries have to confront. It’s a widespread problem with its victims sitting in your pews, living in your community, and standing in desperate need of truth—absolute truth.

Continue reading “Syncretism: The Universal False Religion” »

christian living · exclusivity · missions · syncretism · the millennials

Ridge Burns is a unique guy. First he’s unique, because he’s the only person who I’ve known that has worn the same style of red shoes (yes, red) for a quarter of a century. Second, he’s unique because he leads the the oldest domestic mission organization in the U.S. Ridge Burns is a leader who has a gift for mobilizing God’s people, and a knack for instilling a passion for gospel living. He’s creative to the hilt, but he leverages the gifts that God has given him to exalt Christ in communities around the United States. The history of the American Missionary Fellowship is an exciting story of change and evangelism over many years. The mission was founded in 1790 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although their name has changed, the core purpose has never changed—”to glorify God…[and] preach the gospel to all people” (from the website). We interviewed Ridge Burns, Executive Director/CEO of AMF to gain an inside look at the organization. Here’s a bit of our conversation.  Continue reading “Missionary Interview – Ridge Burns of American Missionary Fellowship” »

american missionary fellowship · christian interview · domestic missions · interview · missionary interview · missions · red shoes · ridge burns

Someone asked me the other day, “So, can you tell me what ‘missional’ is?” My mind raced, and I hesitated for a second. I knew what missional was. In fact, I hear the word, read the word, and often use the word in my writing. But a concept like “missional” is hard to describe, explain, and articulate, especially in any succinct way. But since missional is a bedrock concept in the Bible and is central to what the church does, it is worth investigating a little bit.

Continue reading “What is “missional,” why it’s a big deal, and how you should respond” »

church mission · church planting · culture · emerging · missio dei · missional · missionary · missions · social justice

Today, we are featuring an interview with the Joshua Project. Chances are, you’ve heard about Joshua Project, and maybe seen a link on a blog to the “Unreached People of the Day.” If you’re involved in missions in any way, you may have profited from their vast collation of demographics data from around the globe. If you have a passion for the spread of the gospel, your heart has been warmed if you’ve ever visited their site.

And if you have no idea what Joshua Project is, you’re in for a treat as you read on.

Continue reading “Christian Interview: Dan Scribner of the Joshua Project” »

christian interview · christian mission · church missions · joshua project · missions

You hear the words “mission” and “vision” float around a lot. They’re part of business jargon. They’re high-flying words. They are part of the vocabulary of executives, business gurus, and capable corporate savants. They are also part of the structure of an effective church. More and more, churches are developing mission statements, vision statements, and even adding a “Vision Pastor” to their leadership team. It’s a good idea (for reasons which we’ll explain in a future post). However, in an effort to get back to the basics about mission, it is important to find out what the Bible says about our mission. What is it? And how does it play out?

Continue reading “Church Mission – Getting Back to the Basics” »

church mission · church vision · global evangelism · great commission · mission · missions · outreach