Writing
Essays and working ideas from more than fifteen years of writing about faith, leadership, discipleship, the church, family, and life in Austin.
Start here
A few essays that introduce the questions and convictions behind this site.
- The Organizing Principle of the Church
- Leadership and Administration
- What Is a Missional Community? — Definition
- Transitioning Your Church to Missional Communities
For sustained explorations of a topic, browse the Selected Series.
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All writing
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Extreme Snowshoeing
One quick post from our vacation: fun on snowshoes. Extreme snowshoeing is the only way to go!
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Missional Authors | The Forgotten Ways
This image from The Forgotten Ways has a great breakdown of some authors who have influenced my thinking. From: the missional family tree according to leadership journal : The Forgotten Ways.
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unChristian 6
The thesis of Chapter 6 is that Christians must move from being perceived as naive and disengaged (“Sheltered” is the title of the chapter) to informed and involved with sophisticated nuance. The creation of Christian subculture…
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TASCC Student Story | A Heart for Prayer
Another story of how God is working in the students in our ministry. Check it out here.
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TASCC Student Story | College Blog
I am blessed to serve some incredible students at The Austin Stone. Check out Andrea’s story.
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…