Balanced Christianity

A MinEmergent devotional I received recently contained a quote from Philip Gulley’s book, If the Church Were Christian. I have inserted an editing suggestion in brackets. Consider whether your Christian life is balanced between believing and action, remembering that James 2 says they go hand in hand, and that neither is sufficient without the other. …

It’s Sunday Again: God is God, God is good [Psalm 100]

I return to Psalm 100 again and again to be reminded of two great truths about God: God is God, God is good. I enjoy other aspects of this short psalm as well, but these two truths are foundational. The short and simplified (simplistic?) version of what Sundays are about for the Christian is to …

Guatemala Reflections: Developing and modeling an approach for effective Bible study

Our seminar approach is not only to share specific Bible information, with different classes and lessons which can be adopted and taught “as is.” We do some of the former, but we more often seek to demonstrate and model an exegetical approach to Scripture, a way to study and understand God’s Word, beginning by thinking …

Guatemala Reflections: Individual Studies vs. Seminars

I am seeing more and more the importance of individual Bible studies in the process of leadership and teacher development. On this trip, I spent much more time than in the past in studies with families and potential leaders, in individual studies and conversations. These individual studies are very encouraging and have great potential for …

Guatemala Reflections: At least some of the Mayans are preparing for 2013

Chichicastenango is an area where the influence of the Mayan culture is obvious. The congregations in the area are heavily influenced by the Mayans, and many of the leaders and members are of Mayan heritage and Quiche speakers. On the bulletin board in the church building in Chichi, I was encouraged to see that the …