Next Wave has interview with Neil Cole worth a read. Neil’s a great guy and an effective practitioner of what he teaches. What I like about Neil is that being ‘missional’ includes evangelism.
Monthly Archives: November 2005
Growing leaders in China
11 November, 2005 – 6:22 AM
A friend of mine has just returned from China. Here are his reflections on growing leaders there. In the past, most leaders were mentored by older pastors who had suffered much. Although they led millions to Christ, they lacked in biblical knowledge. In the 1990s, doors opened to Western-style training (Bible schools and seminaries with [...]
What I’m learning from what Mark’s learning
9 November, 2005 – 5:54 AM
One of my favourite pastimes is asking church planters, “What are you learning?†“Skyped†Mark Kenzie the other day. He and Cheryl are planting on the fringes of Newcastle, about two hours north of Sydney. They are among the best at connecting with people in the community. It’s summer in Australia and the lead up [...]
The Proposition
8 November, 2005 – 8:00 AM
I’m not a film critic. Movements are my specialty. But I can’t help commenting on a film I saw recently. The Proposition. Don’t rush out and see it unless you have a stomach for violence and a heart that can cope with despair. Set in the Australian outback in the 1880s, it tells the story [...]
The New and the Old
7 November, 2005 – 8:50 AM
Andrew makes a good point about our understanding of church renewal and decline, “There seems to be an inherent danger with just giving something a certain timespan and then ‘writing it off’.” GK Chesterton agrees, “Men invent new ideals because they dare not attempt old ideals. They look forward with enthusiasm, because they are afraid [...]
Listening to Patrick
3 November, 2005 – 1:01 PM
One of my heroes of the faith is Patrick of Ireland. One of the great movement founders. Here part of an address on Patrick at a Forge intensive last year. Happy listening! MonasticismMovements
Drifting onto the rocks
2 November, 2005 – 2:48 PM
The drift from growth to plateau, from vitality to decline is a subtle but significant one. At its heart is “the failure of success” – a desire to protect what we have achieved rather than to pursue mission. Here are the consequences for each of the characteristics of dynamic movements. 1. White hot faith Members [...]
Surfing and the decline of movements
2 November, 2005 – 5:30 AM
Following my post on drifting into Plateau and Decline Dave has come up with a great image to explain why we let it happen: If you surf a wave all the way to the shore line it eventually dies, you get a long ride but it gradually gets less and less exhilirating, by that time [...]
A sure thing
1 November, 2005 – 8:07 AM
Death and taxes are inevitable in this life. Here’s the third sure thing. . . Given enough time, every dynamic Christian movement will plateau and decline. No exceptions. Why?
