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 …
Santa's Trick or Treat: Discipleship in the Smart Toy Era
In the few days after Christmas, we’ve seen families in new church plants here in Seattle realize they have given their kids new tech toys not realizing these toys are often not a “treat” but a “trick.” Smart Toys and Secrets For example, in a recent report on NPR, a new talking doll called Cayla has some serious issues and …
Christmas Isn’t Over Yet
Now that Christmas Day is over many of us feel let down because the day we have been anticipating for so long has passed. The malls strip their elaborate decorations and junk their remaining Christmas stocks with huge 50-70% off sales. Christmas wreaths and trees are thrown out for the garbage collectors and our frenzied activities give way to a low grade …
What Would Martin Luther Do With an iPhone?
The tech revolution didn’t begin with the iPhone in 2008. It began 500 years with the creation of the printing press. That innovative technology transported people all over the planet into this new modern world. How a 33-Year-Old Unleashed Technology on the Church This year we are celebrating the radical action of a 33 year old named Martin Luther. Martin …
Is Your Church Plant Just a Celebrity Fan Club?
To be a church planter, you need to have vision to see something that doesn’t exist yet. You also need to organize your life around the goal of seeing that vision become a reality. There are a million temptations along the way, mostly having to do with trying to take control of the process, attempting to make things happen instead …
A Methodology for Discerning Impact: The Most Significant Change
Two to four years into a church plant? How do you know the church is making a difference? Courageous enough to seriously ask? How do we know our ministries—whether preaching, outreach, serving the poor, children’s programs, or life groups—make a difference? Measuring impact tends to be elusive and often downright avoided, especially in Christian circles. In this blog, however, I …
4 Pressing Needs in Rural Communities and How the Church Should Respond
This year, the Praxis Gathering will be making an intentional effort to expand our conversation to include urban, suburban and rural environments and church plants. Here’s Jonathan Davis on his perspective as a minister in rural America. To hear more from him, sign up for the Praxis Gathering 2017 HERE. While the cultures may be vastly different, rural churches seemingly …
How to Overcome the Trap of Loneliness
“I’m so lonely. I don’t have any friends who understand what I am doing.” I don’t know how many times I have heard variations of this statement from young church planters who feel isolated and overwhelmed struggling alone in a hostile environment. Some leave their fledgling churches feeling they have failed in their vocation. Others struggle constantly with depression, anxiety …
Praxis Gathering 2017: Kyuboem Lee
We’re proud to announce that Kyuboem Lee, church planter, minister, educator and more, will be joining us at the Praxis Gathering 2017. If you’d like to be there too, make sure you click HERE to register. About Kyuboem Lee Kyuboem Lee (BA Biblical & Theological Studies, MDiv Urban Mission, DMin Urban Mission) was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised …
Praxis Gathering 2017: Meet Tim Soerens
Praxis is happy to announce Tim Soerens will be joining us at the 2017 Gathering. Tim is a writer, social entrepreneur, ministry leader, and co-founding director of the Parish Collective. To learn how you can attend Praxis ’17, click HERE to access the late registration. About Tim Soerens Tim Soerens is a social entrepreneur, ministry leader, and co-founding director of the …