Todd Engstrom

Category: church

  • Gratitude for Partnership in the Gospel

    Christian community is not built on consumerism but on covenant partnership, sustained not by preference but by promise. I used to teach at The Stone that we should aim for mission over community, and I have come to think that was short-sighted. What Paul commends in Philippians is neither one first, it is partnership in…

  • The Longing Beneath the Form: Ancient Future and Nostalgic Novelty

    Ancient future and nostalgic novelty look like opposites, but they come from the same desire, to belong to something lasting, to be from somewhere and to be going somewhere. The form is not the same as faithfulness, so the better question is not which one is right but what is forming us.

  • Jesus Has All Authority—Stop “Releasing” People to Do Ministry

    If you are in Christ, you have been commissioned, and you do not need a second opinion or a stamp of approval to make disciples. A friend recently told me he wanted to do that in his home but was not sure he had permission. Elders carry real authority, but it is mediated, not ultimate,…

  • The Deadline Dilemma in Ministry

    Ministry tends to explain its fluid deadlines as prioritizing people over projects. I wonder whether it is less about prioritizing people and more about avoiding accountability, because deadlines force clarity and reveal priorities, and that kind of exposure is uncomfortable.

  • One Body, Many Parts

    The body of Christ is not a theoretical concept, it is a living reality, and it is at work Monday through Saturday in coffee shops and living rooms and late-night phone calls. We need each other every day, and not only to accomplish things, but to give out of our lack of capacity and ability…

  • Assessing Candidates – Character

    Over the past few weeks, I’ve focused on staffing in the local church.  This series will focus primarily on assessing candidates who emerge for potential roles on your team.  There are four primary areas of assessment that are crucial in assessing someone for a position on our staff: Calling Character Capacity/Competency Culture/Compatibility This series will…

  • Assessing Candidates – Calling

    Over the past few weeks, I’ve focused on staffing in the local church.  This series will focus primarily on assessing candidates who emerge for potential roles on your team.  There are four primary areas of assessment that are crucial in assessing someone for a position on our staff: Calling Character Capacity/Competency Culture/Compatibility This series will…

  • Understanding the Position

    As I’ve served in the role of Executive Pastor for the past two years, one of the key responsibilities I have is building a staff team.  With the help of Kevin Peck and Dave Barrett, I’ve developed a pretty thorough philosophy and process of staff hiring.  The following posts will develop these ideas: Philosophical Considerations for Staffing Making…

  • The Basic Process of Hiring

    As I’ve served in the role of Executive Pastor for the past two years, one of the key responsibilities I have is building a staff team.  With the help of Kevin Peck and Dave Barrett, I’ve developed a pretty thorough philosophy and process of staff hiring.  The following posts will develop these ideas: Philosophical Considerations for Staffing Making…

  • Making Disciples is The Job

    As I’ve served in the role of Executive Pastor for the past two years, one of the key responsibilities I have is building a staff team.  With the help of Kevin Peck and Dave Barrett, I’ve developed a pretty thorough philosophy and process of staff hiring.  The following posts will develop these ideas: Philosophical Considerations for Staffing Making…

  • Building a Staff Team

    As I’ve served in the role of Executive Pastor for the past two years, one of the key responsibilities I have is building a staff team.  With the help of Kevin Peck and Dave Barrett, I’ve developed a pretty thorough philosophy and process of staff hiring.  The following posts will develop these ideas: Philosophical Considerations…

  • Groups Matter Initiative

    Regardless of how you think groups ought to be practiced in the local church, almost everyone would agree that groups matter.  In the context of smaller communities, people are known, loved, taught, challenged and led towards obedience to Jesus.  I am passionately convinced of the missional community strategy, but love groups in all shapes and…