One answer I often give is this: we are planting a church for people who don't go to church.

Studies show that new church starts are more effective in connecting, building relationships with, and ingathering non-Christians and non-church goers than established churches are. There are many factors in that dynamic, but one relates to the way new churches engage people who already profess faith.

What does this mean? Click below to read more.

Lots of people responded to this survey--more than almost any other communication we've sent. Some of the top choices people liked included, "Fields of Grace," "Sojourn," and "Grace Vineyard."

But the name most people liked, more than any other--and the one Polly and the kids liked best, too--was Mercy Hill. (Click below to read more.)

My answer, in deference to the subtlety, sometimes goes along the lines of "We're on a mission from God. You know, Blues Brothers?"

Seriously, its a great question, whose answer has many aspects:

Why is this important? From my point of view, it relates to having faith in God's power and in His plan. He is at work in the world building His church and...this may shock some of my friends: he hasn't told me all the details yet.

As a result, I believe that every person I meet has some role to play (even if its small) in the work of the Gospel ministry God has called me to do.

First of all, the Bible is a story of redemption--it is more than this, but it is not less.

Second, my life is a story written by the "author and perfector of my salvation," Jesus Christ, who is Himself, the Word Made Flesh (John 1:1, 14).

Third, because of Jesus' perfect life, death, and resurrection, my story has miraculously changed from one with a tragic ending (for me) to one that ends with rejoicing: he took my place as condemned on the cross that I might have eternal life.

All these elements combine to show the importance--and danger of neglecting, I think--the form of "story" in thinking about theology.

This is an extension of what I've come to appreciate from a pastor in grad school, and seminary professor, John Frame, taught about triperspectivalism.

This teaches some basic truths. First, that people are made for worship like they are made for breathing or seeing. It is part of our created reality TO WORSHIP.

Second, since "eternity" as a concept, desire, or longing is imbedded in the minds and souls of people, it doesn't matter if a person admits or confesses a faith in Eternal Life, and "life after death," and the significance of worshipping the God of Eternity. Their subjective belief in this principle doesn't change its reality.

I think its a sign of "our financial times"--that money issues, and debt, and struggles in our current economy, have exposed many of our poor spending and saving habits. (Yes I did say "our".)

In this article by David Brooks, he talks about how a needed financial/fiscal revival cuts across all political lines. I agree.

Reading Brooks' piece, I reflected how my financial values were acquired. 

Oswald Chamber wrote, “God can achieve his purpose either through the absence of human power and resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them. All through history God has chosen and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on him made possible the unique display of his power and grace. He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.”

[L]earn to find your true sense of personal worth and joy in the Good News of God’s radical love for you in Christ. Define your success in ministry as “faithfully pleasing God with the resources and responsibilities that He has given you”. Make the primary focus of your ministry things like faithfulness, humility, love and relationships. Then leave the results of your ministry to God.

You know the idea: vitamins are good for you; too many vitamins will kill you.

So I appreciate it when someone mounts a philosophical argument for a version or view of a theological question or issue that challenges traditional presbyterianism presuppositions.

I like the CPC. (Click here to join their Facebook group.) It is an increasingly diverse group and a part of the Metro Philly Church Planting Network. The focus is advancing the kingdom of God in the metropolitan Philadelphia area.

That includes Gloucester County, New Jersey. Philly is close to home: we can see Philly on a sunny day from a hill around the corner.