The NYTimes has an interesting piece on a movement among Southern Baptists to take more action on climate change an advocate for the environment. A quote:
“I learned that God reveals himself through Scripture and in general through his creation, and when we destroy God’s creation, it’s similar to ripping pages from the Bible,” Mr. Merritt said.
The Roman Catholic church has added seven more “deadly” sins to the prior seven. Among the new deadlies are genetic engineering, social injustice that causes poverty, and excessive accumulation of wealth.
“You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbour’s wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or compromise embryos.” – Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary
Joe Thorn has posted on his metaphors for missional community. Using a Circle, Inverted Triangle, and a Square, he describes the three areas of church ministry as:
Kevin Rush has formulated a similar paradigm using the metaphors of Towel, Table, & Text:
I use the metaphor of a house with it’s respective entrances to designate pathways in and out of the community of faith:
Here are five characteristics or “rules of order” for a missional community taken from Frost’s Exiles: Living Missionally in a Post-Christian Culture.
Here are the Four Practices we developed for our church, which are grounded in Four Gospel Principles. These principles and practices shape all our City Groups (what we call missional communities).
SHARE life and truth through stories and Scripture
PRAY for one another and the city
ENGAGE people and culture of your community with the gospel
LOVE one another by eating and exercising hospitality
