I have some really exciting news to share with you all which has been released through social media, but needs to find wider announcement through my blog site. An amazing open door has presented itself to me which seems to be an exact fit to my evolving call to the area of cultural reformation.
Important Announcement for Legacy Christian Ministries
In conjunction with the soon to be release of my new book, I’m STUCK and I can’t get out: Learning What it Takes to Move Forward, my wife and I are excited to offer a new seminar format entitled, UNSTUCK.
Continue ReadingAn Open Letter to the Charismatic Movement
Dear Charismatic Movement:
Your beginning is generally thought to be around 1959 when an Episcopal Priest, by the name of Dennis Bennett, experienced the gift of tongues and subsequently began preaching to his congregation what many might label Pentecostal theology. From this Episcopal church, the renewal experience (and various other miraculous experiences) began manifesting in all kinds of denominations and fellowships in remarkable ways all through the ensuing decades. Much of it was needed and genuine. Some of it was fleshly and fake. But no one can deny that in the last 60 years you impacted the face of Christianity globally for both better and worse.
Continue ReadingSamson: Secrets to Destroying Your Life and Ministry (Book Review)
I am asked to review books on a fairly regular basis by a number of pastoral colleagues. I try to accommodate each request as I know the author is wanting some helpful feedback before it gets disseminated. Most of these reviews are usually prepublication in nature and are probably more concerned with content accuracy and overall effectiveness than perhaps a critique for potential readers. I enjoy reviewing and consider it an honor when I am asked. There are, on occasion, books which I feel deserve a public review and endorsement. One of those books is a recent release by a ministerial colleague, Pastor Chris McMichael, entitled, “Samson: Secrets to Destroying Your Life and Ministry”.
Continue ReadingWhy Social Justice Is Now The Rage
Since transitioning from the pastorate and embarking upon this new season of ministry travel and university teaching, I have been able to analyze and reflect on certain cultural and church trends. The most significant trend (or trends) may be labeled under the banner of “social justice”. I will define social justice shortly (as it has scores of meanings), but let me first make sure we all understand the concept of “justice”. Justice, simply defined, means, “to make right”. Who can argue with that? Who can disagree that there are incredible numbers of things in this world which are “wrong”? And, for most Christians, we know just enough of the Bible to be able to say that God wants to see things “right” and correct those things which are “wrong”. These incredibly general remarks are things upon which the saints from many perspectives can say, “amen”. Where it becomes tricky is when we begin to discuss what is “right” and what is “wrong” and how exactly are these wrongs to be remedied.
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