Author: Todd Engstrom
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Gospel and Method | TheResurgence
As a minister in a megachurch focusing on assimilation where the ministry strategy is small missional community, I consistently wrestle with the tension of model. This article by Jonathan Dodson is a very helpful, short statement on the balance. Gospel and Method | TheResurgence.
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The Holy Spirit and the American Church
Just read thought provoking post at Church Planting Novice discussing history of the early church and the comparative deficiency in the American church of demonstrations of the power of the Holy Spirit. Give it a read and see what I had to say in response.
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Old Stuff – Biblical Individualism Redux
Number 7 ———————- From Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship, Chapter 5 (Discipleship and the Individual): “Through the call of Jesus men become individuals…It is no choice of their own that makes them individuals: it is Christ who makes them individuals by calling them. Every man is called separately, and must follow alone.” and “He (Christ) stands…
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Matt Carter Interviewed by Leadership Network for Innovation3
Our senior pastor, Matt Carter, was interviewed yesterday by Leadership Network. It’s a great snapshot of who we are as a church…give it a look! http://vimeo.com/2841879
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Old Stuff – Biblical Individualism
Number 6 ——————– Our church has recently been hashing through the relationship of mission and community, and its practical implications for our church body. It sounds like the diagnosis has been made: The American church for the most part has lost its mission, and our communities of faith have reflected that either by neglect of…
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vacation is over
the last night of vacation is always kind of a let down. you have to pack, clean, and start the engine revving to get back at it. also, why do i tend to feel more tired at the end of vacation…isn’t it supposed to be restful? all in all though, it’s been fun to be…
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Old Stuff – Disciplined Spirit Part 2
Number 5 ———————— Nehemiah 1 1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had…
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unChristian 5
Chapter 5 is title “Anti-homosexual”, and the thesis of the chapter is that Christians must become known more for there love of individuals regardless of sexual brokenness, rather that against the sin itself. I understand the basic premise, and agree with the conclusions, yet the latter half of the chapter is subtitled “A Biblical Response”…
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Old Stuff – Disciplined Spirit
Number 4 ———————— 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline” Most people love parts one and two of the Spirit God gives us, but part three tends to be their least favorite, and likely it is glossed over because we have…
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Mission as organizing principle from The Forgotten Ways
This blog articulates well the idea of mission as central to small group and church sustainability. I consistently wrestle with the concept of assimilation into mission rather than ministry, and the most effective means to accomplish this end. I’m not sure I’m ready to abandon wholesale assimilation to ministry as a pathway to mission as…
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Old Stuff – Ecclesiological Implications of Reformed Doctrine
Number 3 —————————- Here’s another post along the lines of some of my theological musings over the past few months. This is excerpted from some other writing I did, so I apologize if it doesn’t entirely make sense…hopefully at some point I’ll make time to actually fully develop ideas into coherent arguments and points. “I think I…
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He’s On Vacation
I am in the great state of Washington right now, chilling with my family. We’ll be heading up to the family cabin at Schweitzer mountain this weekend for some epic skiing and relaxation. If anyone is actually reading this blog, then hopefully you will enjoy some of the material that will be posted here from…