Books that build community

What’s on your summer reading list? Along with sunscreen and shades, what do you have packed in your beach bag? While the summer allows us to take a break, it can also provide the necessary time and space to strengthen areas of our faith, namely the practice of Christian community. An outgrowth of hospitality, Christian […]

Read More

The Empowering Christ

“Take up your bed and walk” (John 5.8).  “Do you want to be made whole” (John 5.6)?  “Where are your accusers” (John 8.10)?  Jesus demonstrates time and again that our faith is to be engaged, pondered, questioned. Jesus requires buy in.  We are not simply called to follow his instructions, and this is not discipleship […]

Read More

The Perfect Church?

Nobody’s perfect.  No church, no body of believers is perfect.  “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” but also, how hard (Psalm 133.1).  The church has never been picture perfect; there has always been a problem getting all believers in the same room for a single shot or […]

Read More

How Christ builds community

“Life in community is no less than a necessity for us— it is an inescapable ‘must’ that determines everything we do and think. Yet it is not our good intentions or efforts that have been decisive in our choosing this way of life. Rather, we have been overwhelmed by a certainty— a certainty that has […]

Read More

We’re going to need a bigger table

I love Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper.  More than serving it, I love seeing the people that Jesus prepared a table for.  While our Communion tables could not accommodate all those we serve each Sunday, it is amazing to see just how many persons Christ aims to sit next to.  Forget elbow room or pulling […]

Read More