There is an incredible invitation for established churches to follow the Spirit into a new future. It is tempting to focus on all of the problems established churches must tackle (organizational ruts, historical barriers, institutional mistrust, mission drift) and then start throwing quick fixes at the wall hoping to simply survive. Hoping that something will finally stick. The reality is, …
Is it possible that shepherds with apostolic eyes can help create bridges from predictable and safe sheep pens into missional and open fields? In missional movements growing out of evangelical subcultures it is really important for apostles and prophets to regain their voices in the body which have been lost, quieted or silenced(!) in the overemphasis on shepherds and teachers. …
There is an incredible distrust of institutions these days. Where can we turn to find an institution that people believe is out for their common good? Church? Government? Banks? Newspapers? According to Gallup only 32% of Americans have any confidence in the 14 major national institutions to perform their necessary duties. The bottom line according to Gallup is Americans clearly …
Missional leadership depends upon the art of reframing. Reframing helps us to take a walk in someone else’s shoes and see the world from a different vantage point. Leaders who can reframe a context or situation can turn conflict into opportunity; despair into hope; sorrow into joy. An Alternate Lens When you are teaching a class, preaching, leading a formation …
Learning who to listen to is just as important as learning how to listen. In a world of unlimited resources, self-proclaimed experts, and incredible access through technology to information, discerning which voices to listen to can be a difficult task for a any leader. In the current postmodern situation, many emerging adults have developed a hyper-awareness of the limited scope …
By Josh Hayden, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Ashland, Virginia Sometimes a resource is so helpful it transcends the category it was created for and ends up changing the entire conversation. Church as Movement is a resource that does just that—it broadens the scope of church planting to a growing movement that focuses on discipleship, the mission of God, …