Why is it difficult to create effective content for Christian spiritual formation? Because people creating the content are not aware of the answers being sought. I recently read an article in Wired Magazine about Demand Media and the way that they go about creating content. This excerpt from the article gives an idea of Demand Media’s model […]
Category: changing lives
Categories
The Good and Beautiful God
I have been blessed by experiencing The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love With the God Jesus Knows by James Bryan Smith. This is the first book in The Apprentice Series from Renovare. I first heard about this book from my friends Jimmy Taylor and Ben Simpson who are both involved with the Apprentice team in […]
Simple Life: Time, Relationships, Money, God by Thom S. and Art Rainer is a follow up to Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples with the focus shifting from church to one’s personal life. Rainer and Rainer suggest moving through action steps of clarity, movement, alignment and focus in the areas of time, […]
Categories
Seeding a Lawn (or a Life)
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to verticut and seed our lawn. This was a first for me as Nicole and I are homeowners for just over a year. I learned some things that have application in life. Choose the right seed – What you choose to plant will determine what will grow […]
Nicole and I recently purchased a dehumidifier for our basement. After it’s arrival, I set it up, plugged it in and turned it on. When I checked on it the next day, the water reservoir was full and the atmosphere was noticeably different. I knew that it needed to be dehumidified, but was still surprised […]
Categories
Jesus’ Pastoral Care (2 of 2)
What kind of pastoral care did Jesus provide? I continued to consider this question at our small group this week when we read the story of the man born blind from John 9. Jesus makes some mud, puts it on the eyes of a man who was born blind and sends him to wash in […]
Categories
Care Retreat / Advance
Today I am with members of the Congregational Care Team at Resurrection on a semi annual (or is that bi annual…) team retreat that happens twice a year. A little help on terms? In any case it is a time to look back on the year and plan for the year ahead. Overall an excellent […]
Categories
Church = Spiritual Formation
I believe that the primary role of the church is spiritual formation. Through worship, teaching, classes, serving, conversation, care, accountability and many other specifics the faith community that is the church is about forming the souls closer to the image of God. This journey of sanctification moves us closer toward perfect love of God and […]
Categories
6 Powerful Words
I have been praying for you. These are powerful words. One of my friends, Ryan, said them to me this week. He indicated that he had specifically been praying for me throughout the month of July. July was a month of surprises and transitions for me, but I had been able to respond in ways […]
My favorite topic as a part of 6 Questions for The United Methodist Church is for a member of a local United Methodist Church. I have found that this topic has generated a large number of questions and I have found them to be most helpful. What’s your question? Visit http://bit.ly/6qumc to get involved. Read […]
This week I was part of a conversation that was encouraging, informative and exciting. I was part of a conversation with Ben Simpson, Correy Trupp, Darrell Holtz, Dave Robertson, James Bryan Smith and Jimmy Taylor about The Apprentice Series – a discipleship curriculum. I met Jimmy less than a year ago at Board of Ordained […]
Categories
A Call to Spiritual Formation
I go through seasons in my practice of spiritual disciplines and now is a time for a refresh. I found inspiration and encouragement in A Call to Spiritual Formation – a simple document addressing the need for continual spiritual formation of every Christian. I invite you to visit the website at http://acalltospiritualformation.info and sign your […]
Rev. Andrew Conard 