Sociologists say that people group themselves together in three ways: Affinity— Similar ethnic, socioeconomic, education, language, etc. background Kinship— Extended family, tribe, band, tight-knit relationships. Geography— Same neighborhood, block, apartment complex, etc. These same categories also function as organizing principles for people who start various kinds of churches. Affinity For several decades, the predominant approach has been affinity. We have …
How might a person on mission learn to read the book of Acts? As might others, I’m swept up into near uncontrollable emotion when I recall the little nativity set erected with sacred precision every Christmas in my childhood living room. That pristine manger transcended my suburb existence; it had a blissful quality akin to magic. The scene still sits …
One of the realities of planting a church is that you have limited time and energy. That’s why we love sharing our favorite resources. With Advent beginning this coming Sunday, we are passing on this helpful resource from our friend and V3 contributor A.J. Sherrill. Here’s a short excerpt from a devotional guide he developed for Trinity Grace Church. You can learn more about A.J. and his …
Christmas is coming. Here in the U.S. the stores are already in full Christmas regalia and carols are blaring throughout the malls. At church, we are getting ready for our pageants and our Christmas parties. The nativity scenes are being assembled, and our images of Jesus and his family alone and abandoned in a dirty stable are forming. Jesus Family …
On his album, “So Runs the World Away,” Americana folk singer Josh Ritter has a beautiful but tragic song entitled, “The Curse.” It is a story of an archeologist who uncovers a mummy in an anonymous tomb. Her presence lights a spark of life in the theretofore dead being. He falls in love with her at first sight. As the …
In Jesus’ day, the religious had turned God’s guidelines into fences. You had to wear, do your hair, eat your lunch, wash your hands their way— or else: you were on the wrong side of the fence. The sign on the fence read: NO UNDESIRABLES! There was a long list of those who were, well, undesirable. Many things could make …
There are a number of good books on church planting. You can see my top ten list here. I would put Mark Lau Branson and Nicholas Warnes’ Starting Missional Churches: Life with God in the Neighborhood in my top books on church planting for a couple of reasons: First, Mark and Nick deconstruct current unhelpful practices of church planting, or planting (the gospel) …
Recently, I received an email from a young seminarian with one provocative question: “What is truth?” she asked. I smiled and deleted the email, knowing I couldn’t supply an answer. Her theological studies were raising new and unsettling questions about God and what it means to be a Christian. I suspect what she wanted was permission to question her understanding …
Every Thursday night a crowd gathers in a little place called Millers on the mall in downtown Charlottesville, VA for a Jazz experience unlike any other. The headliner is John D’earth. D’earth is a world renowned Jazz trumpeter, who has called Charlottesville home for more than 30 years. He is the Director of Jazz Performance at the Univeristy of Virginia …
“J.R. Briggs goes beyond giving us a robust theology of failure, he opens his veins and shares his life. He calls us to be faithful not efficient, to live vulnerably without shame. He gives us grace-filled opportunities to be our true selves. If you are a pastor, you need this book!” That was my endorsement of J.R. Briggs recent book, …