Author: Todd Engstrom
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Nostalgic Novelty
I probably think too much, and my mind often takes the things in front of me and connects them to other ideas in really odd ways. And sometimes, I think I “discover” patterns. Lately, I’ve been pondering if this is a recurring theme in my own life and among friends. It seems like we’re drawn…
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Hope that Does Not Put Us to Shame
Early this week, I found myself staring at the daunting task ahead. A quarter of my time has already passed for support-raising, and as I evaluated the results so far, I felt the creeping weight of doubt. Will I reach the goal? Some days, it just seems insurmountable. To make matters harder, I was receiving…
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Coherently Incoherent
This past week was a mix of joy, exhaustion, and an eclectic variety of meetings. At one point, I joked with a friend that this is what happens when two people with executive experience become individual contributors. We both have spent years setting direction, coaching others, and thinking strategically. But in this project, we’re just…
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Meekness, Humility, and Humiliation
In the trials I experienced during the fall of 2023, one of the most profound insights I received came during a conversation with a friend. As we worked through conflict, he encouraged me to ask God for and pursue meekness. The word struck me. I have always relied on intelligence, and leadership roles have often…
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From Faith, By Faith, and For Faith
In this transition to a new season of ministry, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on the journey God has led us through. I have often described this interstitial season as a feeling of “wandering in the wilderness,” which is an allusion to Israel and Exodus. While I can’t see fully what lies ahead, I…
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Some of My Writing Posted Elsewhere
In 2025, I want to reboot my discipline of writing, which means dusting off the ole blog that hasn’t been used in a decade. Hopefully it’s aged like a fine wine around here! With that said, I haven’t been totally disengaged from writing, and wanted to share a few places I have shared content and…
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2025 Theme: Patience and Presence
As we step into 2025, the dawn of a new year in our culture is an invitation to dream, plan, and set new goals. As a leader in the church and God’s kingdom, I have found this cultural rhythm to be a good opportunity to prayerfully consider what God may desire to do in my…
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Group Formation Process Graphic
I’ve written in the past about the different stages of formation and growth that groups tend to go through on their way to becoming missional communities. The chart below summarizes the process and provides a few points for those of you who are more visually oriented. I hope it serves you well!
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Strategies I Use to Share the Gospel
I’ve been teaching a Theological Survey course at The Austin Stone this past fall and spring, and it has been a great experience in equipping the saints to think deeply about God, to love Him with a whole heart, and obey His commandments with willing hands. Yesterday, one of the class participants asked me about…
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My Doctoral Thesis on Missional Communities
This past few years, I have had the joy of participating the Doctor of Educational Ministry program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I participated in a cohort of five executive pastors under the supervision of my friend Dan Dumas, and the product of that time was a thesis entitled “Missional Community as a Model for Integrated Discipleship…