Month: January 2009

Gospel & Method

Posted on January 21, 2009

Resurgence is running the first in a series of articles I am writing on Gospel and Method. These articles are an expansion upon a few blog posts I wrote on Methods, Debate and the Gospel. In other words, there will be new material. Here is an excerpt:

The debate between attractional and organic is largely a debate over method. What method should we use when planting and leading churches? Do methods matter? Does the gospel allow for all kinds of methods, or does it prohibit some? Should we be more concerned with debating the gospel or our methods? This series of posts will try to answer some of these questions. What is the role of method in the gospel?

Read the rest.

How Would You Rate Your Community?

Posted on January 21, 2009

As I continue to read on community in the US, I’m struck by the steady decline of genuine human interaction beyond superficial familial, vocational, and patron-client relationships. Robert Putnam notes the decline of community in the United States stating that over the past 25 years, attendance at club meetings has fallen 58 percent, family dinners are down 33 percent, and having friends visit has fallen 45 percent. The last two figures are most disconcerting. People just don’t share meals much anymore, especially in their homes, a place where community has often flourished.

In Urban Tribes, Ethan Watters confesses that the “never-marrieds” (singles in 20s-30s) abandoned community in pursuit of vocation and avocation. Many of them critique the superficiality of our culture, form bonds with a small group of like-minded people, bemoan the breakdown of community, but don’t really do anything about it. Their bonds tend to be negative and inward, not positive and outwardly focused. In short, “a population defined by what we aren’t doing.”

Can you relate to any of this, positively or negatively? I’m curious what your experience of community is like? Where are you finding meaningful connections with other people? Are these relationships satisfying your hunger for community? What is lacking, if anything, and what is wonderful?

My New Article: Gospel & Method

Posted on January 20, 2009

Resurgence is running the first of a series of articles I am writing on Gospel and Method. Here is an excerpt:

The debate between attractional and organic is largely a debate over method. What method should we use when planting and leading churches? Do methods matter? Does the gospel allow for all kinds of methods, or does it prohibit some? Should we be more concerned with debating the gospel or our methods? This series of posts will try to answer some of these questions. What is the role of method in the gospel?

Read the rest.