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The Secret Message of Jesus – Week 2

Monday night was another great evening of discussion about The Secret Message of Jesus. A few new faces and a few from the first week that were not there. A little different format for the night – instead of being in one group for the entire time of discussion, we mixed groups twice to give […]

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faith

Jewish Acceptance of Jesus – Why or Why not?

This question has many different types of answers depending on the particular details of the question that is asked. For example: When – In the first century or today? What does accept mean? Who – As a faith tradition, or individuals within the faith? I do not feel qualified to respond to this question in […]

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Speedlinking – August 10, 2007

Nice job, Kansas City! Top 50 Metropolitan Areas that Volunteer at Church Relevance. Beautiful witness from justwondering at ANOTHER ONE GOES UNDER! Pastor Steven Furtick writes about different modes of ministry at This is how we do it. Great images around emerging and missional terminology at A More Generous View from Emerging Grace. worship as […]

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Why did Jesus talk in parables?

This question is one of three questions which I chose to answer as a group when we met on Monday night. The previous two questions (Why did Jesus keep his message secret? and Why did Jesus answer questions with more questions?) and this one have a great deal of similarity. Entering into relationship and avoiding […]

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Why did Jesus keep his message secret?

I think that this question has a great deal to do with the title of the book which we are studying – The Secret Message of Jesus. The first five chapters of the book (which we discussed this week) do not address the content of Jesus teaching as much as setting the stage. I think […]

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Why did Jesus answer questions with more questions?

We see one example of Jesus responding to questions with more questions in Luke 10:25-37. (You could read it now – either in a Bible or by clicking through the link). In this story, Jesus responds to someone who asks him a question with more questions, a parable, another question and responds in a short […]

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faith

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Last night was the first meeting of The Secret Message of Jesus – A Book Discussion at Resurrection. It was great. There were about 40 people who gathered to discuss Part One of the book. It was a good mix of people – first time attender to several who had been at Resurrection over 10 […]

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leadership united methodist church

School of Congregational Development – Day 1

Yesterday was a good day at the School of Congregational Development. Kirby John Caldwell spoke at the first plenary session about the vision that Windsor Village UMC has for the future. I found him to be an engaging speaker and very enthusiastic about the local church. The next session was for the particular ministry track […]

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worship

The Word of God

This evening, I had the opportunity to lead a brief worship service at the School of Congregational Development. The theme for the service was “Word of God.” Here is the text from the brief message. Scripture – John 1:1-5. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. The Word of God In the beginning […]

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leadership united methodist church

School of Congregational Development 2007

Resurrection is hosting the School of Congregational Development (SCD) 2007 which begins today. I am taking part in the New Church 101: How to Start a Church Ministry Track. This is the second part of the training for potential new church start pastors of which I am a part. This training began with a week […]

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Speedlinking – August 1, 2007

Terry Storch tells of a personal experience in which he learned – don’t be fooled by beginners luck. True words. There is a great review of the book Simple Church at deeply committed. I have seen them, but have never had the courage to try. Now, I at least know how – How to Use […]

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faith

The Kingdom of Heaven is like the internet

The Kingdom of Heaven is like the internet, in that it is: Diverse Growing / expanding Communal / connecting Experiential The Kingdom of Heaven is not like the internet, in that it is: Not damaging or destructive, which the internet can be at times. This post came about from listening to pray-as-you-go yesterday. As a […]