Whereas most people speak in terms of wanting to be successful, Jesus emphasizes that his servants should be “fruitful.” There is an important distinction between these two outcomes. Fruitfulness is the true test of the servant, because it means the reproduction and multiplication of the same kind of life. Jesus’ own life was a powerful [...]

The author is the national coordinator of Emergent Village. He provides a comprehensive review of the Emergent Church conversation, helpfully summarizing its main tenets in the “20 dispatches from the Emergent Frontier” that are scattered throughout the book. It is a must read for anyone desiring to understand the complexity of these new Christians who [...]

James Choung pours his experience of sharing the Good News of Christ as a divisional director of InterVaristy Christin Fellowship. In recommending the book, I wrote, “True Story does not gloss over sincere and profound questions concerning the content of the gospel and the way it is lived out, but grapples with many issues that [...]

In our media saturated culture there is no shortage of voices and personalities claiming our allegiance. Many false shepherds claim to have our interests at heart, but are in reality simply promoting their own agendas and lining their own pockets. The present themselves as benefactors, but turn out to be robbers. We are the worse [...]

This is a scholarly study of the social interaction in both fresh expressions of church and traditional churches in transition. The authors, Sara Savage and Eolene Boyd-MacMillan, are both Research Associates with the Psychology and Religion Research Group at the University of Cambridge. Although scholarly in its approach it is also accessible in its presentation [...]

The disciples had been presented with the evidence of the empty tomb by Peter and John. Mary Magdalene had reported that she had seen two angels in Jesus’ tomb who challenged her as to why they she was so sad, and then Jesus himself had spoken to her and commissioned her to report to the [...]

Life is a journey, and we are Christ-followers. We also belong to a company of pilgrims that is walking together. We are walking in step with Christ, making sure we neither get ahead nor drag behind. Life has to be lived at walking pace, which ensures that we walk in company and that we notice [...]

From time to time we all meet devout people whose religion consists of a list of do’s and don’ts – with the emphasis on the don’ts. They have a litmus test for everything, which they apply to the actions of other people more than to themselves. Some religious legalists live by a long and comprehensive [...]

When we considered the Great Commission that Jesus gave to the leaders of his followers we noted that it takes a disciple to make a disciple. Following Christ entails inviting others to join us in that adventure. Therefore, it should not surprise us that early in his ministry, Jesus gathered those same leaders-in-training around him [...]

Our life-long journey of faith, as with any long distance trek, proceeds by stages. Andrew and John began their spiritual journeys as followers of John the Baptizer. He was God’s messenger crying in the wilderness. John was credible because of his authentic and passionate commitment to God. His surroundings, wardrobe and diet demonstrated that he [...]