Dallas Willard has said that our churches are full of converts who do not intend to become disciples. Another way to put it would be this: Our churches are full of people who are there to receive the benefits of grace without knowing that they are receiving such blessings “in order to be a blessing.” [...]
Archive for April, 2008
This is a short interview with Alan Hirsch during last week’s Exponential Conference in Orlando. When asked about church planting in America as compared to planting efforts in the UK or his own Australian context he states that church planting in the United States is ”too bonded to the church growth movement.” He goes on to say that the church [...]
Over the past couple of months I have been reading several books on the topic of biblical hosptiality. I am convinced that if the church is going to cultivate a missional ecclesiology we must understand the neccessity of biblical hospitality and embrace its practices. The books that have informed my own understanding of biblical hospitality so far have included Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way [...]
Leadership Network’s featured resource this month is the new book by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay titled “The Tangible Kingdom.” I hope to begin to read the book this week and offer a review soon. In the meantime here is a short interview that Leadership Network did with the authors. You should also check out both Hugh’s [...]
Here is a link to an excellent paper titled “The Missional Church and Missional Living” presented by Howard Snyder to the faculty at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto. While the entire 15 pages are well worth reading, I found the last four pages (12-15) to be especially profitable. Snyder present a holistic approach to [...]
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I recently began reading “The Changing Face of World Missions” by Michael Pocock, Gailyn Van Rheenen and Douglas McConnell. The book focuses on the dramatic changes that have taken place both in global society and in the church and the implications those changes have on how the church does missions. In chapter three, titled “Religionquake: From World Religions [...]
“We always treat guests as angels — just in case.” – Brother Jeremiah “Hospitality begins at the gate, in the doorway, on the bridges between public and private space. Finding and creating threshold places is important for contemporary expressions of hospitality.” – Christine D. Pohl “If there is room in the heart, there is room [...]
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Matthew 25:31-46, a crucial text in the history and practice of Christian hospitality, is startling in its implications for recognition and misrecognition. To some of the gathered crowd Jesus will say; “Come . . . inherit the kingdom prepared for you . . . for I was hungry and you gave me food . . [...]
More Making Room: Recovering Hospitality
Posted: 6th April 2008 by Brad Brisco in Hospitality, MissionalHospitality should be understood as a way of life rather than as a task or strategy. It is easy to slip into viewing hospitality as a strategy for reaching migrants and refugees, or for that matter, for reaching postmodern youth or homeless people. But such an approach misunderstands the basic orientation of hospitality. Hospitality is [...]
In David Dunbar’s latest issue of Missional Journal he speaks of the Missional Church as a much needed renewal movement; but one that should be characterized by humility and charity. This was a good reminder for me! This may help you understand part of what attracted me to the missional church. It too is a renewal [...]
“Hospitality is a way of life fundamental to Christian identity. Its mysteries, riches, and difficulties are revealed most fully as it is practiced.” — Christine Pohl “The opposite of cruelty is not simply freedom from the cruel relationship, it is hospitality.” — Philip Hallie “Hospitality means inviting the stranger into our private space, whether that [...]